The Drama in the Ballroom
Things just got a little messy on Dancing With the Stars. Pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy has been slapped with a one-week suspension from the show following some hot-headed social media activity. The drama started after judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued a samba routine performed by Val’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her partner, Harry Shum Jr., during the Oct. 13 episode. Inaba called out an "illegal lift" in the routine, which stirred up major tension in the ballroom.
The Meme Misstep
Val didn't stay quiet about the critique. On Oct. 14, he updated his TikTok status to read, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night." This was a clear—and pretty risky—reference to the 2022 Oscars moment where Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Chris Rock after shouting, "Keep my wife's name out of your f--king mouth."
Taking Accountability
BBC Studios, the production company behind the show, didn't find the joke funny. In a statement on Oct. 17, they noted that the safety and well-being of the crew is "non-negotiable" and labeled Val's post as "inappropriate."
Val has since addressed his suspension on Instagram, admitting he made a "poor decision" in an attempt to defend his wife. He confirmed he reached out to Inaba to apologize personally, stating, "Carrie Ann certainly didn't deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment." He’ll be sitting out the upcoming Oct. 20 "Dedication Night" episode, but he says he’ll be watching from home to cheer on his partner, Jenna Dewan, and the rest of the cast.
Why it matters
It’s a massive reminder that even in the reality TV bubble, the internet never forgets. Using a viral, aggressive pop-culture meme as a weapon against a judge is a major L, and this suspension proves that DWTS is prioritizing a drama-free environment over professional shade-throwing.
