Alfonso Ribeiro Explains Val Chmerkovskiy’s ‘DWTS’ Absence in 7 Words as Live Show Debuts
NEED TO KNOW
Val Chmerkovskiy was not in the ballroom during the Tuesday, October 20, episode. Dancing with the stars
The dancer was suspended – a first for the show – after a social media post to judge Carrie Ann Inaba referenced Will Smith’s slap at the Oscars.
Chmerkovskiy confirmed his suspension on October 17, saying he would continue to “observe and encourage everyone.”
Val Chmerkovskiy was absent from the Dancing with the stars ballroom.
“As you can see, Alan Bersten is with Jenna Dewan because…” co-host Alfonso Ribeiro said at the top of the Tuesday, Oct. 20, episode, adding a seven-word explanation: “…Val is not with us this week.” He did not directly mention the suspension or the reason for it.
Chmerkovskiy, 40, was suspended after referencing Will Smith’s slap at the 2022 Oscars on social media in a since-deleted post. The comment was aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba after her criticism of wife Jenna Johnson’s performance on last week’s episode of DWTS. Inaba was present during the October 20 episode.
“At a time when my instinct was to defend my wife, I made the poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without thinking about what else that reference might imply, which was truly never my intention,” Chmerkovskiy wrote in a post on his Instagram Stories on October 17. “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to be caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was.”
“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 doing,” he continued. “Please send lots of love to Carrie Ann, Jenna and the entire DTWS family during Dedication Night. I will be watching and cheering everyone on!!”
Carrie Ann Inaba; Val Chmerkovsky
Credit: Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty; Travis Ball/Billboard via Getty
Alan Bersten replaced Chmerkovskiy on the Oct. 20 episode, and they will perform a Viennese waltz with Dewan to the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody” as the actress dedicates her routine to her mother, Nancy.
“I’m so honored to step up and dance with @jennadewan, you are such a light and it’s so beautiful to see you and your mom sharing the floor,” Bersten wrote on Instagram earlier Tuesday.
Val Chmerkovskiy; Jenna Dewan with Alan Bersten
Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty; ABC
Before being suspended, the dancer apologized to Inaba, 58, who reported the post. “I have reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly and personally, and I also want to apologize publicly because I understand that my words affect so many people outside of our inner circle. DWTS family,” Chmerkovskiy wrote on October 15 on his Instagram Stories. “I am truly sorry to Carrie Ann and everyone I hurt with my careless post. I will do better in the future.”
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In a statement, BBC Studios, which produces DWTScalled Chmerkovskiy’s post “inappropriate” and said it “does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected to the series.”
“The well-being of all those who work Dancing with the stars is not negotiable,” the statement said.
Dancing with the stars airs live Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+ and streams the next day on Hulu.
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