[Warning: Potentially Triggering Content]
Well, this Dancing With The Stars drama just took a SERIOUSLY messy turn!
Val Chmerkovskiy will officially be sitting out next week’s Dedication Night after a controversial social media post landed the professional dancer in hot water. And get this: according to reports, this apparently marks the first professional dancer suspension in the show’s history! Who knew?!
Related: Whitney Leavitt Reacts To Husband Conner’s Quick Elimination From ‘DWTS’!
So, anyway, here’s what is going on: the 40-year-old took to his Instagram Stories on Saturday night to address the situation after his now-deleted post sparked backlash. ICYMI, the controversy first erupted after DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized Val’s wife Jenna Johnson’s performance last week with her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr.
Apparently, Val wasn’t having the criticism! Buuuuut… his attempt to defend his wife went in a VERY different direction than he may have anticipated. That’s because Chmerkovskiy posted this in response to Inaba’s critique:
“You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”
Whoa!
That line, of course, referenced Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap, when the actor struck comedian Chris Rock on-stage during the 2022 Academy Awards after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Given the circumstances, Val’s reference immediately raised eyebrows. Was this supposed to be a joke? A warning? A threat of violence?!?! Whatever the intention, it clearly did not land well — and Val got suspended for next week’s episode!
And on Saturday night, well, Chmerkovskiy finally addressed the controversy (and the one-week suspension) by writing over on his IG Stories:
“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. … Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgement, and I had that she was.”
He continued:
“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. Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DTWS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!! ❤️.”
Sheesh…
Meanwhile, the show’s production company, BBC Studios, made its position crystal clear in a statement obtained by multiple media outlets:
“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. 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.”
As for the ballroom shake-up, Alan Bersten, who was eliminated earlier this season, will step in as Jenna Dewan’s dance partner for the upcoming episode. Talk about an unexpected switch-up!
Related: The Real Truth About THOSE Taylor Frankie Paul ‘DWTS’ Rumors…
Chmerkovskiy had already publicly apologized to Inaba on Thursday, FYI. Back then, he said that he had personally “reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly.”
He also acknowledged the responsibility that comes with having a public platform, writing:
“I recognize that l am in a fortunate position to have a platform and to be a role model to some, and I need to treat that with more care by actively pausing to think before I post to ensure what I am sharing aligns with who l am, and who I want to be for you all. I am truly sorry to Carrie Ann, and everyone who I hurt with my careless post. I will do better moving forward.”
We sure hope so!
An attempt to defend your spouse can certainly backfire when the reference involves one of Hollywood’s most infamous award-show moments!
Will this suspension put the controversy behind him, or will fans keep debating the fallout?!
Share all your takes down in the comments (below)…
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Consider calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788, or go to https://www.thehotline.org/.
For more information on violence against women, go to https://www.justice.gov/ovw/resources-for-survivors.
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
