Val Chmerkovskiy Benched From ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Dedication Night Following Controversial Will Smith Oscars Slap Reference
Val Chmerkovskiy will be absent from the upcoming Dedication Night episode of Dancing With the Stars, after the professional dancer sparked backlash with a social media post referencing Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap while defending his wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, against judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critiques.
The decision was confirmed by BBC Studios, the production company behind the long-running ABC competition series, in a statement released on Thursday. The statement made clear that the show’s producers viewed Chmerkovskiy’s remarks as a serious breach of the standards expected from anyone associated with the program.
“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing With the Stars is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show,” the statement read.
The move means Chmerkovskiy will not take part in the show’s emotional Dedication Night, a themed episode in which contestants and their partners often pay tribute to loved ones, personal heroes, or meaningful moments in their lives. He is currently partnered with actress Jenna Dewan for season 35 of the series, and The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Dewan will instead dance with Alan Bersten during the Oct. 20 episode. Bersten was eliminated earlier in the season after competing with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.
Chmerkovskiy later issued his own statement addressing his temporary removal, expressing regret over the incident and clarifying that his intention was never to threaten or endorse violence.
“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. Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was,” he said.
He went on to say that the last thing he wanted was to become a distraction during an important week or to take away from the work Dewan has been putting into the competition.
“The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in,” he continued. “Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!!”
How the Controversy Began
The controversy traces back to the show’s Super Bowl Night episode, which aired earlier in the week. During that broadcast, Johnson and her celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. performed a samba set to Usher’s hit song “Yeah!” After the routine, Inaba offered her critique, telling Johnson that she believed the choreography could have been stronger and more challenging.
“I think you need to put more content in your dances. Especially because [Harry’s] so good, I want to see you challenge yourself a little bit more in the vein of what we’re looking for. And there was a lift,” Inaba said.
Johnson appeared to question the judge’s assessment, responding with a simple, “A lift?”
Inaba then produced a piece of paper with the definition of a lift, reading it aloud during the live broadcast. “A lift is — I just need to say it — any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner. Yeah, lift.”
The exchange became a talking point among fans, and Chmerkovskiy took to social media to weigh in. In a TikTok Story posted Wednesday, he wrote, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The line was an unmistakable allusion to the moment at the 2022 Academy Awards when Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The post remained live for at least six hours before it was deleted. During that time, it quickly spread across social media platforms. On Reddit, a thread dedicated to the incident was flooded with reactions. Many users interpreted Chmerkovskiy’s comment as a suggestion that he had wanted to physically confront Inaba over her remarks about his wife. One thread noted that the reference was “likely referring to when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a comment about his wife,” and that many took the post to mean Chmerkovskiy allegedly “wanted to slap Carrie Ann for telling Jenna to step it up.”
The post drew immediate criticism from viewers who found the reference inappropriate, especially given the real-world implications of joking about violence. The Oscars slap had been a widely discussed cultural moment, and many felt that referencing it in the context of a disagreement with a judge was out of line.
Inaba Responds
Inaba did not stay silent on the matter. On Thursday, she took to Instagram to respond to Chmerkovskiy’s remark, resharing a screenshot of a Page Six article that featured the dancer’s comment. Alongside the screenshot, she included a split image of Smith and Chmerkovskiy, and wrote, “So this is what we are doing now?”
The post from Inaba signaled that she was not amused by the comment, and it added fuel to the growing controversy. Fans quickly rallied around the longtime judge, expressing support for her and condemning Chmerkovskiy’s choice of words.
Later that same day, Chmerkovskiy issued a more formal apology on his Instagram Story. In that message, he acknowledged the seriousness of his actions and the platform he holds as a public figure.
“I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent post,” he wrote. “I have reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly and personally, and I also want to apologize publicly as I understand my words affect so many outside of our internal DWTS family. I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it. I recognize that I am in a fortunate position to have a platform and to be a role model to some, and I need to treat that with more care by actively pausing to think before I post to ensure what I am sharing aligns with who I am, and who I want to be for you all.”
The apology came after he had already reached out to Inaba privately, according to his statement. But despite his remorse, the show’s producers decided that he would not be allowed to participate in the upcoming Dedication Night episode.
A History of Strong Performances
Chmerkovskiy’s absence comes at a time when he and Dewan had been performing well in the competition. The pair consistently scored high marks and rose to the top of the leaderboard during Super Bowl Night, impressing judges and audiences alike with their routines. Their chemistry and technical skill made them one of the standout pairs of the season, and many considered them strong contenders for the mirrorball trophy.
Despite the disruption, sources indicate that Dewan has remained professional throughout the situation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dewan is aware of her partner’s removal for the week and has continued to approach the competition with grace and respect for the process. She is said to be focused on paying tribute to her mother with her Dedication Night performance, a deeply personal routine that will carry added emotional weight given the circumstances.
The decision to have Alan Bersten step in as her partner for the night is not unprecedented. Dancing With the Stars has occasionally made adjustments to pairings due to illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances. In this case, the substitution ensures that Dewan will still be able to perform and continue her journey in the competition without interruption.
Reactions and Implications
The controversy has sparked broader conversations about the conduct of cast members on reality competition shows, particularly in the age of social media. While Dancing With the Stars has long been known for its lighthearted tone and emphasis on positivity, moments of tension between judges, pros, and celebrities are not uncommon. However, referencing a highly publicized act of violence — even in a joking manner — was widely seen as crossing a line.
BBC Studios’ decision to bench Chmerkovskiy sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. The statement’s emphasis on the well-being of everyone who works on the show underscores the seriousness with which producers are treating the incident.
Chmerkovskiy, for his part, appears to understand the gravity of the situation. His public apologies, both to Inaba and to the broader audience, reflect a recognition that his words carried weight beyond what he initially intended. Whether this will have any lasting impact on his role in the show remains to be seen, but for now, he will be watching from home as his partner takes the ballroom floor without him.
Dedication Night promises to be an emotionally charged episode, with many contestants expected to honor loved ones through their performances. For Dewan, the night will be especially meaningful as she dances in memory of her mother. With Bersten by her side, she will have the opportunity to deliver a routine that resonates deeply with audiences — and to show that she can rise above the drama and remain focused on what truly matters.
As the season continues, all eyes will be on how the show moves forward from this incident and whether Chmerkovskiy will be welcomed back in future episodes. For now, the focus remains on the dancers, the dedication, and the heartfelt moments that have made Dancing With the Stars a beloved staple of television for more than three decades.
