Val Chmerkovskiy Returns to Dancing Ballroom After One-Week Suspension

Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the ballroom on Tuesday night after sitting out one week of Dancing With the Stars. The show suspended him following a dispute with judge Carrie Ann Inaba that erupted earlier this month.

The conflict started on Oct. 13 when Inaba critiqued Chmerkovskiy's wife, Jenna Johnson, during a performance. Chmerkovskiy later posted a TikTok story that read, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night." The reference to Will Smith's 2022 Oscar slap was deemed inappropriate by BBC Studios, the show's production company.

Chmerkovskiy did not appear on last week's broadcast, and his absence was not discussed on air. In this week's pre-dance segment, he apologized to his dance partner, Jenna Dewan. He said, "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, "I forgive you…I missed you."

After the episode concluded, cameras captured Chmerkovskiy and Inaba hugging. The clip quickly circulated on social media. Chmerkovskiy told People that the conversation provided a "cathartic relief." He emphasized his desire for Inaba to feel safe and to hear directly from him that he wants "nothing but love" for her.

"I will have nothing but love for Carrie Ann," Chmerkovskiy added. "I have nothing but respect for what she has to say." He said he wants her to know how he truly feels rather than how others want him to feel.

Earlier on Tuesday, Inaba posted a detailed statement on Instagram. She explained that she remained quiet out of professional courtesy to competitors still on the show. She noted that standards and practices keep the parties separated but felt headlines had omitted key details.

Inaba said she and Johnson hugged after the Super Bowl show and praised Johnson as an absolute professional. She learned that Johnson was deeply hurt and offered to talk at any time. Inaba also offered to discuss the lift rule and how she enforces it, referencing a video by Sharna Burgess that explains lifts and assists. She suggested creating a new lift rule for next season to improve shared understanding among dancers, judges, and the audience.