“Dancing With the Stars” pro Val Chmerkovskiy will sit out this week’s episode after a social media post aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba, producer BBC Studios confirmed on Saturday. It is the first time in the show’s history that a professional dancer has been suspended.
The post, since deleted, referenced Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap in response to Inaba’s criticism of Chmerkovskiy’s wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, for including an illegal lift in her Super Bowl Night samba with Harry Shum Jr. during the October 13 episode, according to Page Six.
“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable,” BBC Studios said in a statement shared with Us Weekly. “Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”
Chmerkovskiy later apologized, writing that his instinct had been to defend his wife and that he “made a poor decision” referencing the meme without thinking through what it implied. His partner, Jenna Dewan, will dance Tuesday’s Dedication Night routine with pro Alan Bersten instead.
Source: Page Six
