Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended After Oscars Slap Reference

 

DWTS Suspends Val Chmerkovskiy for One Week After Controversial Oscars Slap Reference

LOS ANGELES — Professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy has been suspended for one week from Dancing with the Stars following a controversial social media post that appeared to reference Will Smith's infamous 2022 Oscars slap involving comedian Chris Rock.

According to ABC News and other entertainment media reports, the controversy followed the October 13, 2026, episode of the dance competition. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized a performance by professional dancer Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr., after pointing out a lift that she considered against the rules of the dance style.

Chmerkovskiy, who is married to Johnson, responded on social media in defense of his wife. In a now-deleted post, he wrote, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night." The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to Will Smith, who played the lead character in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.

The comment prompted criticism online. BBC Studios, the production company behind Dancing with the Stars, subsequently confirmed that Chmerkovskiy would not participate in the following week's episode.

"Val's social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show," the company said in a statement reported by ABC News. It added that the well-being of everyone working on the program was non-negotiable.

Chmerkovskiy later acknowledged his mistake and apologized publicly. He explained that he had intended to defend his wife but had failed to consider what the reference might imply. He also said he had personally apologized to Inaba.

During his absence, actor Jenna Dewan, Chmerkovskiy's dance partner on the current season, is scheduled to perform with professional dancer Alan Bersten during the show's upcoming Dedication Night episode.

The incident has drawn renewed attention to the responsibilities of public figures when responding to criticism on social media. The suspension is for one week, according to reports, and follows the production company's statement that the post did not meet the standards expected of people associated with the show.

Source: ABC News, BBC Studios statements, and entertainment media reports.