Val Chmerkovskiy Returns to Dancing With the Stars With an Apology — and Praise From Carrie Ann Inaba
Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, rejoining celebrity partner Jenna Dewan for Horror Movie Night after a one-week suspension, USA Today reported. His first words on air were an apology — and by the end of the night, the judge at the centre of the row was praising his choreography.
An apology to start the night
“We are back together. I am so sorry for all the chaos. You did not sign up for that, and I feel awful,” Chmerkovskiy told Dewan in their pre-dance rehearsal package, Page Six reported. Dewan accepted the apology, telling him, “I forgive you,” and “I missed you,” as the pair hugged, according to Page Six and Entertainment Weekly.
Chmerkovskiy had been forced to sit out the previous week’s Dedication Night episode on 20 October, USA Today reported, after a social media post directed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba that appeared to reference Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. BBC Studios described the post as inappropriate, Entertainment Weekly reported. In his absence, Dewan danced with Alan Bersten instead.
The row had begun on 13 October, Entertainment Weekly reported, when Inaba questioned a lift in a samba performed by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her partner Harry Shum Jr.
The dance — and the judges’ response
Back together, Chmerkovskiy and Dewan performed an Argentine tango to a cover of “Uninvited”, inspired by the 2007 zombie film 28 Weeks Later, Page Six reported. They earned 37 out of 40, Entertainment Weekly reported, with judge Derek Hough awarding a 10 and Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and guest judge Shirley Ballas each awarding 9. Hough called the routine one of the best Argentine tangos he had ever seen on the show floor, USA Today reported.
It was Inaba’s feedback that drew the most attention, USA Today reported. She opened by complimenting Chmerkovskiy directly, saying, “Incredible choreography, Val,” before adding, “The dance as a whole was perfection.” Dewan had told cameras she was fighting through a genetic upper back issue during rehearsals, USA Today reported.
A warmer ending after the cameras stopped
The reconciliation continued after the broadcast, USA Today reported. Inaba and Chmerkovskiy embraced in front of the studio audience, with Inaba telling audience members behind her that she and Chmerkovskiy “were coworkers”. Chmerkovskiy kissed Inaba’s hand, USA Today reported, and the judge affectionately held his smiling face as they kept talking.
For a fortnight, the story around the pair had been about a post, a suspension and an empty chair beside Dewan. On Horror Movie Night, the story on screen was different: an apology accepted, a high-scoring dance, and a judge’s praise delivered in public.
Sources: USA Today, 27 October 2026; Page Six, 27 October 2026; Entertainment Weekly, 27 October 2026.