Carrie Ann Inaba Speaks Out on Val Chmerkovskiy's Suspension as He Returns to the DWTS Ballroom
Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has broken her silence on professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy’s one-week suspension, writing in Instagram comments on Sunday that she had stayed quiet out of professional courtesy to those still competing — and that part of the headline story had missed important parts of what happened, Page Six reported.
Why she had stayed quiet
Inaba, 58, explained in the comments section of her latest Instagram post that she had not addressed the controversy out of “professional courtesy” to those still competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, according to Page Six. “We actually have standards and practices that keep us separated,” she wrote. “But I think a part of this ‘headline’ has missed a few important parts of what happened.” USA TODAY also reported her comments in its live coverage.
The night the row began
The clash came during “Super Bowl Night” on 13 October, when Inaba and pro Jenna Johnson, Chmerkovskiy’s wife, disagreed over a lift during Johnson and Harry Shum Jr.’s samba, Page Six reported. Johnson reportedly broke down backstage after the tense exchange.
Chmerkovskiy then posted a now-deleted TikTok message reading: “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” a reference to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, Page Six reported. He later apologised, but was suspended for one week and missed “Dedication Night,” leaving his celebrity partner Jenna Dewan to perform a Viennese waltz with pro Alan Bersten. Page Six reported the suspension was lifted on 21 October, and that Chmerkovskiy had reunited with Dewan at rehearsals.
What she said about Jenna Johnson
Inaba said she and Johnson “hugged it out” after the show. “Jenna was an absolute professional about it, and two women worked through the moment,” she wrote, according to Page Six. “It came to my attention later that Jenna was deeply hurt. So I also offered to speak with her at any time.” Inaba added that she had offered to discuss her approach to enforcing the lift rule with Johnson, and pointed to a video by pro Sharna Burgess explaining lifts, assists and which dances allow them.
A proposal for the future
In a separate comment, Inaba proposed a session bringing all the dancers and judges into one room to discuss “the history of how and why Len Goodman, our original producers and I defined the lift rule” and its purpose, which she said was “safety and fairness,” Page Six reported. “The show has evolved tremendously,” she wrote. “So working together to create a better understanding between the dancers and the judges, and our audience is important to me as we move forward and is something I have asked for.”
Her comments came ahead of Chmerkovskiy’s return to the ballroom for Horror Movie Night, Page Six reported.
Sources: Page Six, 27 October 2026; USA TODAY, 27 October 2026.