Val Chmerkovskiy has publicly apologized to Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba following an online controversy sparked by a joke referencing Will Smith's infamous Oscars slap. The situation escalated quickly across multiple social media platforms, drawing significant attention from fans and television critics alike.
The issue originated from the October 13 episode of the popular reality television show. During the broadcast, Carrie Ann Inaba evaluated a vibrant samba routine performed by Val's wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity dance partner Harry Shum Jr.
While Inaba offered generally positive remarks about the overall energy and technical execution of the routine, she noted that the dance lacked sufficient core content and featured an illegal lift, which is a deduction-worthy offense in the competition rules. Jenna Johnson immediately contested the feedback live on the floor, expressing her disagreement with the judges' interpretation of the choreography guidelines.
This on-air exchange prompted her husband, Val Chmerkovskiy, to step into the fray. Seeking to defend his wife, Val posted a controversial video on TikTok that directly referenced Will Smith's shocking 2022 Academy Awards incident, where the Hollywood superstar slapped comedian Chris Rock over a joke directed at Jada Pinkett Smith.
The TikTok video quickly gained traction, dividing fans and drawing sharp criticism from viewers who felt the comparison was unnecessary, aggressive, and entirely disproportionate to a standard dance competition critique. The situation intensified further when Carrie Ann Inaba reshared Val's provocative post on her own Instagram account, highlighting the underlying tension between the professional dancers and the judging panel.
Recognizing that the situation was spiraling out of control, Chmerkovskiy decided to issue a formal and comprehensive public apology to diffuse the escalating online hostility and protect the show's spirit. Writing to his followers and addressing the judge directly, Val stated, 'I have reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly and personally, and I also want to apologize publicly for my reckless judgment.'
He added that he deeply regrets making the careless post and acknowledged that public figures have a responsibility to keep social media commentary respectful and constructive, regardless of competitive frustrations. The remarks and subsequent apology have drawn a mixed public response from the entertainment community, with some fans praising his accountability while others believe the initial joke crossed a definitive line.