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Val Chmerkovskiy Carrie Ann Inaba apology rumors have circulated among Dancing With the Stars fans after a tense debate over Jenna Johnson’s week-five routine. However, the latest comments focus on criticism and calls for consistency—not a confirmed apology from Inaba or Chmerkovskiy.
The controversy began during the show’s Super Bowl Night episode, when Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr., performed a samba to “Yeah!” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris. The energetic routine included an assisted backflip involving members of the dance troupe, prompting Carrie Ann Inaba to question whether the performance contained an illegal lift.
Val Chmerkovskiy Carrie Ann Inaba Apology Debate Explained
Inaba told Johnson and Shum that lifts are not permitted in a samba. She also argued that the routine needed more traditional samba content, despite praising its entertainment value. The judge then read the definition of a lift, describing it as a movement in which one dancer has both feet off the floor with the assistance or support of another dancer.
Johnson appeared confused by the critique. She questioned whether the troupe-assisted backflip should count as a lift because she was not the person lifting Shum, and Shum was not lifted by Johnson. After the show, Johnson explained that she understood a lift to mean when a dance partner physically lifts the other performer.
Inaba awarded the couple eight out of 10 points. The pair received 33 points out of a possible 40 from the full judging panel, which included Bruno Tonioli, Derek Hough and guest judge Joe Buck.
Explosive Response From Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a former Dancing With the Stars professional and Johnson’s brother-in-law, defended her during an appearance on The Viall Files podcast. He argued that the standard definition of a lift should apply to the professional and celebrity pair, not necessarily to outside troupe performers used as part of the show’s creative staging.
“There’s no ‘three other people’ in the rulebook,” Chmerkovskiy said, according to Entertainment Weekly. He added that if troupe members ran onto the stage and helped throw a performer into the air, the issue should be directed toward the show’s creative team rather than Johnson.
His sharpest criticism came in a direct call for consistency. Chmerkovskiy said Inaba should “get some consistency” in how she interprets and applies the rules. He also questioned why the lift issue was emphasized if it did not lead to a meaningful scoring adjustment.
“Samba didn’t play out,” he said, acknowledging Inaba’s complaint about the routine’s ballroom content. Still, he felt the lift criticism confused the main judging issue and distracted from the performance itself.
Jenna Johnson Responds Respectfully
Johnson has not attacked Inaba over the exchange. Speaking after the live show, she said she respected the judge’s role and accepted the feedback. She also stated that she would never intentionally break the rules, even though she enjoys taking creative risks during performances.
Johnson said she had been unaware that two troupe members would help Shum with the backflip. That distinction became central to the dispute because the routine’s most obvious aerial moment involved background performers rather than Johnson herself.
Peta Murgatroyd, Maksim’s wife and another former professional dancer, agreed that the situation could have been confusing. She noted that if the rule meant no one could lift the celebrity performer, regardless of who helped, Johnson’s reaction was understandable.
Val Chmerkovskiy also defended his wife online after the episode. In a comment beneath a fan video, he urged viewers to show Johnson respect and criticized the way the feedback was delivered. His remarks added another layer to the family’s public defense of the professional dancer.
Why the DWTS Lift Controversy Matters
The disagreement highlights a recurring challenge for Dancing With the Stars: balancing strict ballroom regulations with elaborate television choreography. The show frequently uses troupe dancers, theatrical staging and acrobatic elements to create memorable performances. That can make it difficult for viewers to understand exactly where traditional dance rules end and creative direction begins.
It also revived memories of a similar exchange between Inaba and Johnson in 2019, when the judge read the same lift definition while critiquing Johnson’s tango with Karamo Brown. The repeated disagreement has made judging consistency a major talking point among fans.
For now, there is no confirmed Carrie Ann Inaba apology connected to the latest episode. Instead, the public conversation centers on whether the scoring rules were applied fairly and whether the troupe’s assistance should have affected Johnson and Shum’s marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Carrie Ann Inaba apologize to Jenna Johnson?
No confirmed apology has been reported in connection with the week-five samba controversy. The available comments focus on Inaba’s critique and the Chmerkovskiy family’s response.
Why did Carrie Ann Inaba criticize Jenna Johnson?
Inaba said Johnson’s samba with Harry Shum Jr. included a lift and lacked enough traditional samba content. Lifts are generally restricted in samba routines on the show.
Who helped Harry Shum Jr. during the backflip?
Two members of the Dancing With the Stars troupe assisted Shum during the backflip. Johnson argued that neither she nor her celebrity partner directly created the lift.
What did Maksim Chmerkovskiy say?
Maksim Chmerkovskiy defended Johnson and called for greater consistency in judging. He said the troupe-assisted stunt should be considered part of the show’s creative direction.
