Val Chmerkovskiy will be missing from the ballroom on October 20, leaving his celebrity partner Jenna Dewan facing an unexpected change just days before Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night. The professional dancer was suspended for one week after a social media post defending his wife, fellow dancer Jenna Johnson, triggered widespread criticism. The controversy began during the October 13 episode, when judge Carrie Ann Inaba questioned a lift in Johnson’s samba with actor Harry Shum Jr. Her technical criticism quickly became a source of tension, and Val responded with a now-deleted message that appeared to reference Will Smith’s infamous 2022 Oscars confrontation with Chris Rock. Although the post was brief, its perceived implication sparked an intense debate among viewers about whether defending a loved one could cross a professional boundary. The situation soon escalated beyond an ordinary disagreement over judging, putting Val’s participation in the competition at risk.
On Saturday, October 17, BBC Studios confirmed that Val would not take part in the following week’s show, emphasizing that the well-being of everyone involved was non-negotiable. The company also said his social media post was inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of people connected to the program. The decision marked an unusual moment for the long-running competition, where disagreements over choreography and scores are common. Online reactions were divided, with some fans arguing that the consequences were justified while others felt the punishment was excessive. Val eventually addressed the controversy in an Instagram statement, admitting that he had made a poor decision by referencing a meme without considering how it could be interpreted. He stressed that promoting violence was never his intention and acknowledged that Carrie Ann did not deserve to be caught in the middle of his mistake. But his apology was only part of the story, as his absence also meant his dance partner would need to prepare for a deeply personal performance with someone new.
Professional dancer Alan Bersten will step in alongside Jenna Dewan for Tuesday’s live broadcast. Their routine will be a Viennese waltz to the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” dedicated to Dewan’s mother, Nancy. The performance was planned before the suspension, but the unexpected partnership change adds another challenge to an already emotional evening. While the situation could affect the show’s dynamics, there has been no indication of any legal proceedings involving Val, and matters such as an attorney, insurance claim, mortgage, or estate are unrelated to the reported dispute. For now, the focus remains on the competition and the consequences of a social media decision made in the heat of the moment.
Val has encouraged viewers to support Carrie Ann, both Jennas, and the entire Dancing with the Stars family during Dedication Night. Meanwhile, fellow contestant Harry Shum Jr. has urged people to approach the competition with kindness, reminding fans that the show is meant to celebrate dancing rather than fuel hostility. The October 20 episode will feature emotional tributes from the remaining couples, each honoring someone important in their lives. Although Val will be watching from outside the ballroom this week, his absence leaves an important question hanging over the season: how quickly can the show return its attention to the performances after a controversy that has taken center stage?