How ‘DWTS’ Addressed Val Chmerkovskiy’s Return to the Ballroom After His Suspension
Val Chmerkovskiy returned to *Dancing With the Stars* after a one-week suspension, following a social media reference to Will Smith’s Oscars confrontation while criticising judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The programme acknowledged his return in a pre-recorded segment with dance partner Jenna Dewan, but did not discuss the dispute further during the episode.
Chmerkovskiy apologised to Dewan for the disruption, and she said she forgave him. Inaba and Derek Hough praised his choreography after the pair performed an Argentine tango inspired by zombie films; they survived the double elimination and will compete next week. The dispute began after Inaba criticised a lift in pro dancer Britt Stewart’s routine with Harry Shum Jr.; Chmerkovskiy’s “Fresh Prince” remark prompted Inaba to respond online, and he later apologised.
In short
- Chmerkovskiy returned after a one-week suspension.
- He apologised to partner Jenna Dewan on air.
- The pair survived the double elimination.
Explained simply
Dancing With the Stars is a US television competition in which celebrities perform with professional dancers. The routines are judged by a panel that includes Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, and contestants leave the competition over successive weeks.
Val Chmerkovskiy is a professional dancer and choreographer on the programme. His dispute with Inaba followed her criticism of a lift in another pair’s routine, featuring pro dancer Britt Stewart and actor Harry Shum Jr. Chmerkovskiy’s reference to Will Smith’s onstage Oscars confrontation drew a response from Inaba and an apology from him.
The episode’s events involve both the personal disagreement and the competition, where the judges’ comments and eliminations affect which pairs advance. Jenna Dewan is Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity dance partner this series.
Americas Entertainment Film Horror World