DWTS professional Val Chmerkovskiy suspended for a week after controversial TikTok post

ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" announced that professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy will be suspended for one week after he posted a TikTok video that referenced the 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and host Chris Rock. The post was made in response to judge Carrie Ann Inaba's criticism of Chmerkovskiy's wife, fellow professional Jenna Johnson, for an alleged illegal lift during her samba with actor Harry Shum Jr.

"You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night," the deleted TikTok read, alluding to the Oscars slap.

Inaba later replied on Instagram, questioning the dancer's response. BBC Studios, the production company for the show, confirmed the suspension and arranged for Chmerkovskiy's celebrity partner, Jenna Dewan, to dance with eliminated professional Alan Bersten for the upcoming "Dedication Night" episode.

Former professional Gleb Savchenko also commented on the dispute in a TikTok livestream, expressing support for Chmerkovskiy and critiquing judge Inaba's comments about illegal lifts.

The suspension comes shortly after the elimination of fan-favorite contestant Guillermo Rodriguez and his partner Witney Carson. The show will continue with the revised pairings, and Chmerkovskiy is expected to return on October 27.