Sherri Shepherd Rallies Behind Former ‘DWTS’ Partner Val Chmerkovskiy After Suspension: “I’m Team Val Every Day, All Day”
Sherri Shepherd is standing firmly by Val Chmerkovskiy’s side. The actress and talk show host, who paired with the professional dancer during season 14 of Dancing With the Stars, has spoken out in support of her former partner after he faced a one-week suspension from the hit ABC competition series. Chmerkovskiy’s benching came after he made a controversial social media comment about judge Carrie Ann Inaba, and Shepherd says the entire situation was blown out of proportion.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly on Monday, November 2, Shepherd, 59, revealed that she reached out to Chmerkovskiy immediately after news of the suspension broke. Her instinct, she explained, was to remind him that the people who truly know him understand who he is beneath the headlines.
“I texted him right away,” Shepherd said. “I said, ‘You know what? Those who know you know you got a heart of gold.’ First of all, the No. 1 woman in his life is his mama, and he would never disrespect his mama. No, she raised him right.”
Shepherd made her comments after making a guest appearance on season 35’s Disney Night, where she had the chance to reunite with Chmerkovskiy in person. The reunion came just weeks after a dramatic stretch for the professional dancer, who found himself at the center of a media firestorm for something he posted on social media.
The Controversy That Sparked the Suspension
The controversy began during DWTS’ Super Bowl Night on October 13. At one point during the episode, Inaba, 58, criticized professional dancer Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr., for performing what she deemed an illegal lift during their samba routine. Johnson, 32, appeared visibly confused by the comment, which prompted Inaba to read the official definition of a lift live on camera. Johnson later explained that she did not think the rule applied because Shum, 44, had been hoisted by troupe dancers rather than by her own lift.
Chmerkovskiy, 40, who is married to Johnson, quickly stepped in to defend his wife online. In a comment that was posted and then rapidly deleted, he wrote, “You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” a reference to the moment Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. The remark was widely interpreted as a threat toward Inaba, and it did not take long for DWTS producers to respond.
BBC Studios, which produces the show, subsequently suspended Chmerkovskiy for one week. He was absent from Dedication Night on October 20, with professional dancer Alan Bersten stepping in to dance with Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner, Jenna Dewan. The network called Chmerkovskiy’s comment “inappropriate” and made it clear that his behavior would not be tolerated.
But Shepherd believes the backlash went too far. During her interview with Us Weekly, she said she believes people misinterpreted Chmerkovskiy’s comment entirely.
“People took [his comment] the wrong way,” she said. “But you know what? Val is amazing. He’s got an amazing heart. He loves his wife. He loves his partner. He loves me. And I said, ‘More people are gonna love you.’ I’m Team Val every day, all day.”
A Lighthearted Reunion on Disney Night
Although the controversy was serious, Shepherd said she and Chmerkovskiy were able to laugh about it when they crossed paths on Disney Night. In fact, Shepherd joked that she used the opportunity to bring up a long-standing gripe about her own time on the show.
“You want to know the first thing I said to Val? I said, ‘Look here, baby. Everybody’s doing lifts on this show, and you told me when I did the show that there was no lifts allowed.’ I said, ‘Was it just because you didn’t want to lift me?’” she quipped. “He said, ‘No, Sherri, I did.’ I said, ‘No, you grunted a lot.’”
The playful exchange highlighted the bond the two have maintained since competing together in 2012. Shepherd and Chmerkovskiy were paired during season 14 of the show, where they developed a close friendship that has clearly endured long after their time in the ballroom together. Shepherd’s comments also underscore the sense of loyalty she feels toward the professional dancer, even when he finds himself in hot water.
Chmerkovskiy’s Public Apology
Before returning to the ballroom, Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology for his actions. In a statement shared via Instagram on October 17, he attempted to clarify his intentions and take responsibility for the way his words were perceived.
“In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to keep my wife’s name out of the conversation without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention,” he wrote.
The apology was an effort to cool the situation and make clear that he never meant to suggest violence toward Inaba or anyone else. Still, the suspension stood, and Chmerkovskiy was forced to watch from the sidelines as Dewan performed with Bersten during Dedication Night.
The ordeal also drew support from outside the DWTS family. Jenna Dewan’s fiancé, Steve Kazee, publicly rallied around his partner in the wake of the suspension. In an emotional social media post, Kazee praised Dewan for her grace and composure throughout the controversy.
“Every time I think I can’t love you more, your grace, your class and your heart prove me wrong,” Kazee, 50, wrote alongside a photo of Dewan from the show’s Super Bowl Night.
The public show of support from friends and loved ones helped frame the controversy in a more personal light, especially for those who know Chmerkovskiy beyond his on-screen persona.
A Healed Rift Between Chmerkovskiy and Inaba
By the end of October, it appeared that the tension between Chmerkovskiy and Inaba had eased. The two were seen sharing a hug at the end of Horror Movie Night on October 27, a moment that seemed to signal that the drama was behind them. The reconciliation was captured on camera and quickly became a talking point among fans, who had been watching the situation unfold for weeks.
The hug was significant not only because it appeared to resolve the rift between the professional dancer and the judge, but also because it allowed the show to move forward without lingering animosity. For Chmerkovskiy, it was a chance to demonstrate that he was ready to leave the controversy behind and focus on the competition.
Shepherd’s loyalty to Chmerkovskiy is consistent with the way she has spoken about him in the past. The two have remained friendly over the years, and Shepherd has often credited the dancer with helping her improve and grow during her time on the show. Her decision to speak out now, at such a turbulent moment in his professional life, is a testament to the strength of their friendship.
Looking Ahead on Dancing With the Stars
The drama has not derailed the season as a whole, and Dancing With the Stars continues to air Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. The show is currently in the midst of season 35, which has featured a mix of emotional tributes, themed nights, and, of course, the occasional controversy.
For Chmerkovskiy, the suspension appears to be a temporary setback rather than a lasting stain on his career. He has returned to the ballroom and resumed his role alongside Dewan, and the public apology, the hug with Inaba, and the support from friends like Shepherd have all helped shift the narrative back toward the dancing.
Still, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly things can spiral in the world of reality television. A single comment, even one made in the heat of the moment, can take on a life of its own. But as Shepherd made clear, she has no interest in turning her back on Chmerkovskiy.
“Val is amazing,” she reiterated. “He’s got an amazing heart. He loves his wife. He loves his partner. He loves me. And I said, ‘More people are gonna love you.’ I’m Team Val every day, all day.”
With that kind of support in his corner, Chmerkovskiy can at least count on at least one very loud, very loyal cheerleader in the audience.
