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Jenna Dewan is at the center of a dramatic Dancing With the Stars shake-up after her professional dance partner, Valentin Chmerkovskiy, was suspended for one week following a controversial social media post. The decision came after Chmerkovskiy referenced Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap while defending his wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
The dispute unfolded during a tense week on the ABC ballroom competition. It began with a samba performance involving Harry Shum Jr. and Johnson, then escalated when Chmerkovskiy criticized judge Carrie Ann Inaba online. His post was later removed, followed by an apology and the first reported suspension in the show’s history.
Jenna Dewan’s DWTS Partnership Faces a Dramatic Twist
During the Oct. 13 episode, billed as Super Bowl Night, Shum and Johnson performed a samba to “Yeah!” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris. The routine included members of the dance troupe lifting Shum into the air.
After the performance, Inaba said the routine featured a lift, a move that is not permitted in traditional samba. Johnson questioned the ruling, explaining that she believed the restriction applied only when the main dance partners lifted one another—not when backup dancers were involved.
Inaba responded by reading the definition of a lift on air, saying it involved a movement where one dancer had both feet off the floor with assistance or support. She still awarded the pair an 8 out of 10, but her blunt explanation quickly became a talking point among viewers.
Johnson later told Extra that she understood Inaba’s position, even though she had interpreted the rule differently. She acknowledged that Inaba was doing her job as a judge while Johnson remained responsible for performing the choreography.
Explosive Instagram Post Triggers Suspension
The following day, Chmerkovskiy weighed in on Instagram. The professional dancer, who is married to Johnson and partnered with Jenna Dewan, wrote that viewers had “almost” seen the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom. The comment referenced Will Smith’s famous line to Chris Rock moments before Smith slapped the comedian at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Although Chmerkovskiy appeared to frame the remark as a defense of his wife, the reference generated immediate criticism. Many viewers considered it inappropriate because it invoked a moment associated with physical confrontation while targeting a disagreement involving a judge.
BBC Studios, which produces Dancing With the Stars, announced on Saturday that Chmerkovskiy would be suspended for the following episode. In a statement, the production company said the well-being of everyone working on the program was “non-negotiable.” It also described the social media post as inappropriate and inconsistent with the show’s expected standards.
- Valentin Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week.
- The suspension followed a post criticizing Carrie Ann Inaba.
- The post referenced the Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars incident.
- Alan Bersten will temporarily dance with Jenna Dewan.
Who Will Dance With Jenna Dewan Next?
According to reporting cited by Yahoo Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter, Alan Bersten will step in as Dewan’s professional partner for the next episode. Bersten was eliminated earlier in the season after competing with Giada De Laurentiis.
The temporary change means viewers will see Dewan navigate a new partnership during the show’s Dedication Night episode. In ballroom competitions, professional partners rely heavily on timing, trust and rehearsal, making a last-minute switch a significant challenge for any celebrity contestant.
Despite the disruption, Chmerkovskiy said he did not want to distract from Dewan’s performance or the work she was putting into the competition. His statement made clear that he planned to watch and support the show while serving his suspension.
Valentin Chmerkovskiy Issues a Public Apology
Chmerkovskiy later apologized for the Instagram post. He said his instinct had been to defend his wife, but admitted that he made a poor decision by using a meme connected to the phrase “keep my wife’s name” out of the conversation.
He explained that he had not stopped to consider what the reference might imply and insisted that the implication was never his intention. Chmerkovskiy also said Inaba did not deserve to be caught in the middle of his mistake.
The dancer added that he wanted the focus to remain on Dewan, Johnson and the rest of the DWTS cast. His apology appeared to acknowledge both the seriousness of the reference and the potential impact of bringing an old awards-show controversy into the ballroom.
What Happens Next on Dancing With the Stars?
For Jenna Dewan, the next episode will bring an unexpected test. She must perform with Bersten while the show moves forward without her regular partner. The situation also places renewed attention on DWTS judging, choreography rules and the intense public reaction that can follow contestants’ social media activity.
Meanwhile, Chmerkovskiy’s suspension is expected to last one week. Whether the controversy fades after his apology will likely depend on the audience’s response and how smoothly Dewan and Bersten perform together. For now, the ballroom drama has created one of the season’s most closely watched storylines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Valentin Chmerkovskiy suspended?
Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week after posting an inappropriate Instagram comment that referenced Will Smith’s Oscars confrontation with Chris Rock.
Who is Jenna Dewan dancing with during the suspension?
Alan Bersten is replacing Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan’s professional dance partner for the next episode.
What started the Dancing With the Stars controversy?
The controversy began after Carrie Ann Inaba criticized a lift during Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson’s samba performance.
Did Valentin Chmerkovskiy apologize?
Yes. Chmerkovskiy apologized to Inaba and the DWTS family, saying he made a poor decision and did not intend for the reference to imply anything threatening.
