DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba calls for revised lift rule after Val Chmerkovskiy suspension

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba used an Instagram post to respond to the fallout from professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy's one-week suspension on "Dancing with the Stars." The suspension followed a social-media comment that BBC Studios deemed inappropriate and not aligned with the show's standards.

Inaba said she had not spoken earlier out of professional courtesy to competitors and noted that the program has specific standards and practices separating judges and participants. She added that she and Johnson had resolved their disagreement after the Super Bowl episode and that Johnson was "deeply hurt," prompting Inaba to offer further discussion.

"I think a new lift rule should be created for next season. A session with all the dancers and judges to discuss the history and purpose of the lift rule – safety and fairness – would help everyone understand the changes as the show evolves," Inaba wrote.

She referenced a video by Sharna Burgess that explains which lifts and assists are permitted in various dances. Chmerkovskiy later deleted his comment and issued an apology, saying his reference was a poor judgment and that Inaba did not deserve to be caught in the dispute.

The judge’s remarks highlight ongoing concerns about how lift rules are applied and suggest a collaborative review involving judges, dancers and the audience for future seasons.