Image Source: People.com
The Jenna Dewan husband search has become linked to an unexpected Dancing With the Stars controversy. However, the latest drama is not about Jenna Dewan’s husband. It centers on her professional dance partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, who was temporarily suspended after an Instagram post aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
The incident followed a tense week on the ABC competition series, where questions about dance rules, family loyalty and social media judgment quickly moved from the ballroom to the headlines.
Why the Jenna Dewan Husband Search Is Causing Confusion
Val Chmerkovskiy is competing with Jenna Dewan on the current season of Dancing With the Stars. He is also married to professional dancer Jenna Johnson, who was involved in the controversy after receiving criticism from Inaba during the show’s Super Bowl Night episode.
That connection appears to be driving confusion around online searches for “Jenna Dewan husband.” The key distinction is that Chmerkovskiy is Jenna Dewan’s dance partner, while he is Jenna Johnson’s husband.
The two Jennas are separate figures in the story, but both are connected to Chmerkovskiy through the competition. Dewan is his celebrity partner, while Johnson is his wife and fellow professional dancer on the program.
Explosive DWTS Lift Controversy Begins
The dispute began during the Oct. 13 episode, which had a Super Bowl Night theme. Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson performed a samba to “Yeah!” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris.
During the routine, members of the dance troupe lifted Shum into the air. After the performance, Inaba said the move violated the traditional samba rule against lifts.
When Johnson questioned the decision, Inaba read the formal definition of a lift on air, explaining that it occurs when one dancer has both feet off the floor with assistance or support from another dancer. She then emphasized her point by saying, “Yeah, a lift.”
Inaba still awarded the pair an 8 out of 10. Johnson later told Extra that she believed the rule applied only to the principal performers and not to backup dancers. She also acknowledged Inaba’s authority as a judge and said she would accept the feedback.
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Controversial Instagram Post
The following day, Chmerkovskiy appeared to defend his wife. In an Instagram post, he wrote, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” referencing the character that helped make Will Smith famous.
The remark was widely understood as a reference to Smith’s infamous 2022 Oscars confrontation with Chris Rock. Smith had used the phrase “keep my wife’s name out of your mouth” shortly before walking onstage and slapping Rock.
Although Chmerkovskiy said he intended the post as a meme reference, the comparison created immediate concern because it invoked a moment associated with public aggression and intimidation.
Critical Suspension and Replacement Revealed
BBC Studios, the production company behind Dancing With the Stars, announced on Saturday that Chmerkovskiy would be suspended for one week. The company said the well-being of everyone working on the show was “non-negotiable.”
In its statement, BBC Studios described the social media post as inappropriate and said it did not reflect the values or standards expected of people connected with the program.
According to reporting cited by Yahoo Entertainment and The Hollywood Reporter, Alan Bersten will replace Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan’s professional partner during the next episode. Bersten was eliminated earlier in the season after competing with Giada De Laurentiis.
The change means Dewan will continue in the competition with a new dance partner while Chmerkovskiy serves his suspension. The temporary switch also places added attention on Dewan’s ability to adapt quickly before the next performance.
Val Chmerkovskiy Apologizes
After the suspension was announced, Chmerkovskiy issued an apology on Instagram. He said his instinct was to defend his wife but acknowledged that referencing the Oscars meme was a poor decision.
“Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment,” he wrote, adding that he was sorry she had been placed in that position.
Chmerkovskiy also said he did not want to distract from Jenna Dewan’s work or from the show’s upcoming Dedication Night episode. He encouraged viewers to support Inaba, Johnson, Dewan and the wider DWTS family.
What Happens Next on Dancing With the Stars?
The next episode will reveal how Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten work together under pressure. It will also show whether the controversy affects the atmosphere among the professional dancers and judges.
- Val Chmerkovskiy is suspended for one week.
- Alan Bersten will dance with Jenna Dewan during the next episode.
- Jenna Johnson’s samba lift triggered the original dispute.
- Carrie Ann Inaba became the focus of Chmerkovskiy’s post.
- Chmerkovskiy later apologized and called his decision poor judgment.
Is Val Chmerkovskiy Jenna Dewan’s husband?
No. In the reported Dancing With the Stars storyline, Chmerkovskiy is Jenna Dewan’s professional dance partner. He is married to professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended?
BBC Studios suspended him for one week after he posted an inappropriate social media reference involving Will Smith’s Oscars confrontation with Chris Rock.
What caused the original DWTS controversy?
The controversy began when Carrie Ann Inaba criticized a samba routine by Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson for including a lift involving members of the dance troupe.
Who will dance with Jenna Dewan while Val is suspended?
Alan Bersten is set to replace Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan’s professional dance partner during the next episode.
