DWTS Suspends Val Chmerkovskiy After TikTok Post Echoes 2022 Oscars Slap

Key points

• BBC Studios suspended Val Chmerkovskiy from the next DWTS episode, stating his social media post was inappropriate and violated show standards.
• The controversy began after Chmerkovskiy posted a TikTok Story referencing the 'Fresh Prince' slap meme in response to judge Carrie Ann Inaba's critique of his wife, Jenna Johnson.
• Chmerkovskiy apologized, stating his intention was to defend his wife but he failed to consider the implications of referencing violence against a woman.
• Jenna Dewan will dance with Alan Bersten for the Dedication Night episode, performing a Viennese waltz dedicated to her mother.
• Inaba responded to the post on Instagram, expressing shock and thanking media outlets for alerting her to the comment.

Background

Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Dewan have been competing together on DWTS Season 35 since September 2026. Dewan previously faced backlash for her professional dance background but defended her participation by describing ballroom as a 'different language.' The couple scored highly in their debut and Super Bowl Night episodes, rising to the top of the leaderboard.

How outlets are covering it

All major outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Deadline, report the suspension as a direct result of Chmerkovskiy's TikTok post. Variety emphasizes the 'inappropriate' nature of the joke and Inaba's public reaction. Deadline frames the event as a one-week suspension, highlighting Chmerkovskiy's apology about his 'instinct to defend his wife.' The Hollywood Reporter notes that the post was deleted after six hours and that Dewan remains professional despite the disruption.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the strict standards for conduct among DWTS professionals and the potential consequences of social media references to violence. It also underscores the show's commitment to protecting its staff and judges from public harassment or implied threats, even if unintentional.

What to watch

Jenna Dewan will perform with Alan Bersten on the October 20 Dedication Night episode. Chmerkovskiy is expected to return to the show after the one-week suspension, though no specific return date has been confirmed.