Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from DWTS Dedication Night after controversial meme reference
Professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy will sit out the upcoming Dancing With the Stars Dedication Night episode following a statement by BBC Studios that his recent social-media post violated the show’s standards.
Val Chmerkovskiy will not appear in the Dancing With the Stars Dedication Night episode after BBC Studios said his recent TikTok reference to a 2022 Oscars incident was inappropriate. The production company issued a statement that “the well-being of everyone who works on Dancing With the Stars is non-negotiable” and that Chmerkovskiy’s post “does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show.”
Chmerkovskiy, who is partnered with Jenna Dewan in the series’ 35th season, posted an Instagram apology, saying he “should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it.” He added that he had reached out to judge Carrie Ann Inaba to apologize directly and publicly.
For the October 20 episode, Dewan will dance with professional Alan Bersten, who was previously eliminated after a partnership with Giada De Laurentiis. Dewan said she remains focused on the Dedication Night tribute to her mother despite her partner’s temporary removal.
The controversy began when Chmerkovskiy posted a TikTok Story that alluded to the Will Smith-Chris Rock slap while defending his wife, Jenna Johnson, after Inaba’s comments on Johnson’s performance. Inaba later reshared the post and Chmerkovskiy deleted the story after it attracted criticism on social media.