Val Chmerkovskiy Back on DWTS After One-Week Suspension

Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the 'Dancing With the Stars' ballroom on Tuesday, October 27, following a one-week suspension imposed by BBC Studios. The network removed him from the competition after he posted a TikTok story that executives deemed inappropriate. The post referenced Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap, drawing a parallel to judge Carrie Ann Inaba's critique of his wife, Jenna Johnson, during the October 13 episode.

His absence went unmentioned in the previous week's broadcast. During the pre-dance segment of Tuesday's show, Chmerkovskiy addressed his partner, Jenna Dewan, directly. He apologized for the disruption, stating, "We are back together. I am so sorry for all the chaos. You did not sign up for that, and I feel awful." Dewan responded on camera, "I forgive you…I missed you."

Following the broadcast, footage showed Chmerkovskiy and Inaba sharing a hug, a moment that quickly circulated on social media. In an interview with People, he characterized the subsequent conversation as a "cathartic relief." He emphasized the need for Inaba to feel safe and to hear directly from him that he wishes her "nothing but love."

Chmerkovskiy expressed a desire for Inaba to understand his true feelings rather than those projected by others. He stated, "I will have nothing but love for Carrie Ann. I have nothing but respect for what she has to say." The exchange appears to have resolved the immediate tension between the two.

Earlier on Tuesday, Inaba published a lengthy statement on Instagram. She explained her previous silence was a matter of professional courtesy to the remaining competitors, as production standards keep judges and contestants separated. She felt public headlines had omitted key details from the dispute.

Inaba detailed that she and Johnson reconciled with a hug after the Super Bowl show. She praised Johnson for maintaining professionalism and noted that Johnson was deeply hurt by the critique. Inaba offered to speak with Johnson at any time and suggested a discussion regarding the enforcement of the lift rule.

She pointed to a video by Sharna Burgess that clarifies lifts, assists, and permitted dances. Inaba proposed creating a new lift rule for the next season, noting that she has requested this change to foster a better shared understanding among dancers, judges, and the audience.