Sherri Shepherd Rallies Behind Val Chmerkovskiy After ‘DWTS’ Suspension: ‘Team Val Every Day, All Day’
Sherri Shepherd is making it clear that she stands firmly in Val Chmerkovskiy’s corner. The comedian and television host recently opened up about her former Dancing With the Stars partner, offering heartfelt words of encouragement after Chmerkovskiy found himself at the center of controversy that led to a temporary benching from the long-running ABC competition series.
Chmerkovskiy, 40, was sidelined for one week after making a social media comment that referenced the infamous moment when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. The remark was in response to a tense exchange between judge Carrie Ann Inaba and Chmerkovskiy’s wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson, during a live episode of the show. The incident sparked widespread discussion among fans and cast members, and ultimately resulted in BBC Studios, the production company behind DWTS, deeming the comment “inappropriate” and suspending the pro dancer for Dedication Night.
But Shepherd, 59, isn’t convinced the backlash was warranted. In a new interview, the former The View cohost made it clear that she believes Chmerkovskiy’s character speaks for itself, and she was quick to reach out to him the moment she learned about the fallout.
“I texted him right away,” Shepherd exclusively told Us on Monday, November 2, following her guest appearance on the show’s Disney Night. “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.”
For Shepherd, who competed alongside Chmerkovskiy during season 14 in 2012, the professional dancer has always been more than just a talented choreographer. Her defense of him wasn’t just about the recent incident, but about the person she got to know during their time together in the ballroom more than a decade ago. She described him as someone deeply devoted to the people he loves, including his wife and his family, and someone whose kindness often gets overlooked when headlines focus on drama rather than character.
The controversy began during Super Bowl Night on October 13. During the episode, Inaba, 58, called out Johnson, 32, and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr., 44, for what she described as an illegal lift during their samba. Johnson looked visibly puzzled by the critique, and Inaba responded by reading the exact definition of a lift on camera. Johnson later explained that she didn’t believe the rule applied because Shum had been lifted by troupe dancers rather than by her, which added another layer of confusion to the situation.
Chmerkovskiy, watching from home or perhaps from the ballroom wings, took issue with how his wife was being treated. He quickly took to social media to defend her, writing in a comment that was promptly deleted, “You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The line, a reference to Smith’s Oscars altercation with Rock, was widely interpreted as a threat of violence or an aggressive response to Inaba, and it did not sit well with network executives. Within days, it was announced that Chmerkovskiy would not be dancing during Dedication Night, with producer BBC Studios releasing a statement that the comment was inappropriate and that they took the matter seriously.
During Dedication Night, Johnson danced with Alan Bersten instead of her husband, and the show went on without Chmerkovskiy in the ballroom. But the dancer did not remain silent for long. On October 17, he issued a public apology through Instagram, explaining his thought process in the moment and expressing regret over how his words were interpreted.
“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 at the time. The apology was a step toward mending fences, and by the end of the month, it appeared as though the tension between Chmerkovskiy and Inaba had thawed. The pair were seen sharing a warm hug at the end of Horror Movie Night on October 27, signaling that the two had moved past the ordeal.
Shepherd, however, had her own thoughts about the controversy. Speaking with Us on Monday, she said she felt that people “took [his comment] the wrong way.” She also shared that she and Chmerkovskiy were able to joke about the whole situation when they reunited on Disney Night, proving that their friendship remained as strong as ever.
“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,’” she continued. “I’m Team Val every day, all day.”
Of course, Shepherd couldn’t resist poking a little fun at her former partner when she saw him, especially given how much the conversation about lifts had dominated the news cycle. As someone who danced with Chmerkovskiy long before Johnson did, Shepherd had her own history with those tricky ballroom rules, and she used their reunion as an opportunity to revisit a long-running joke between them.
“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.’”
Her playful jab at Chmerkovskiy’s lifting skills highlighted the easygoing rapport the two have maintained over the years. Even in the middle of a swirling controversy, Shepherd managed to bring levity to the situation, reminding everyone that beneath the drama of competition television, real relationships and genuine friendships still exist.
The support for Chmerkovskiy hasn’t come only from Shepherd. Johnson’s fiancé, Steve Kazee, also publicly rallied around the couple during the difficult week. In a heartfelt social media post, Kazee praised Johnson for her grace and poise amid the scrutiny, writing, “Every time I think I can’t love you more, your grace, your class and your heart prove me wrong.” The post served as a reminder that the fallout from the incident extended well beyond the ballroom and touched the personal lives of everyone involved.
Since returning from his suspension, Chmerkovskiy has resumed his place in the competition, partnering with Johnson as season 35 continues to unfold. The show, which airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, has moved forward, and the drama of Dedication Night now feels like a distant memory, especially with the visible reconciliation between Inaba and Chmerkovskiy captured on camera.
For Shepherd, the entire episode has only reinforced what she already knew about her former partner. She described him as a devoted husband, a loyal friend, and a professional with a heart of gold, and she remains confident that his reputation will ultimately speak louder than any single comment or controversy.
“Those who know him know who he really is,” she said. “And I’m proud to know him.”
As the season progresses and the couples continue to battle it out for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, one thing seems certain: Sherri Shepherd will be cheering for Val Chmerkovskiy no matter what. Whether he’s lifting, dancing, or simply standing by his wife, he’s got a longtime friend in his corner — and she isn’t shy about letting the world know it.
