Val Chmerkovskiy is sitting out a week of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) after his attempt to defend wife Jenna Johnson sparked backlash - and he is now explaining what went wrong. The pro dancer, 40, confirmed he won't be in the ballroom for the October 20 episode after being suspended for one week.
The controversy erupted when judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticised Johnson's dance, prompting Val to post, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night." Many interpreted the remark as a reference to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. Val later apologised, but the fallout still cost him a week on the show.
"In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to 'keep my wife's name' out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention," he continued.
"Carrie Ann certainly didn't deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was." He also made it clear he doesn't want the drama overshadowing the upcoming show. "The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in," Val added.
"Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I'll be watching and cheering everyone on!!" Despite Val's absence, his partner, actress Jenna Dewan, will still compete.
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the pressures of reality television and the impact of social media commentary on professional relationships. Fans have been divided, with some supporting Val's protective nature while others believe the reference to violence was inappropriate for a family-oriented program.
Producers of the show have maintained that they hold all participants to a high standard of conduct. The suspension serves as a reminder that even off-camera interactions can have significant consequences for those in the public eye.
As the show prepares for the upcoming episode, the focus remains on the dancers' performances. The production team is working to ensure that the atmosphere in the ballroom remains professional and focused on the art of dance rather than personal disputes.
Val Chmerkovskiy has been a staple of the franchise for years, and his absence will be felt by many viewers. However, the show must go on, and the remaining contestants are reportedly training harder than ever to deliver their best performances.
The entertainment industry continues to watch how such situations are handled, noting that transparency and sincere apologies are often the best path forward for public figures involved in controversies.