‘DWTS’ Pro Val Chmerkovskiy Apologizes to Carrie Ann Inaba for Will Smith Slap Reference

“Dancing With the Stars” pro Val Chmerkovskiy apologized to judge Carrie Ann Inaba for posting an impassioned sentiment referencing Will Smith’s infamous slap at the 2022 Oscars.

“I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent message,” the choreographer began in an Instagram Stories upload on Thursday.

“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 internal ‘DWTS’ family,” he continued.

Chmerkovskiy said he “deeply” regrets the reference on his TikTok account and acknowledges that he is a “role model” for many viewers and needs to “treat this with more care.”

“I’m truly sorry to Carrie Ann and everyone I hurt with my careless post. I will do better in the future ❤️,” he concluded.

In a since-deleted TikTok status the day after the show’s first-ever “Super Bowl Night,” Chmerkovskiy wrote, “You almost saw Fresh Prince walk into the ballroom last night.

This comment came after Inaba harshly criticized his wife and fellow professional Jenna Johnson during the episode.

“Fresh Prince of Bel Air” star Will Smith famously slapped Chris Rock after the comedian joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, while hosting the 2022 Oscars.

This outburst of violence resulted in Smith being banned from all Academy events for 10 years.

Many fans called out Chmerkovskiy’s unfortunate joke immediately after he posted it.

“Brother, this is a joke, isn’t it,” one warned, while another chimed in: “That looks like a threat to me!!”

Inaba herself responded to his comment on Thursday via social media.

“So this is what we do now?” she wrote in an Instagram post and thanked Page Six for bringing Chmerkovskiy’s comment to her attention.

However, some fans on social media argued that Chmerkovskiy was not referring to the slap itself, but rather Smith’s shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.” »

“I’m pretty sure he wasn’t saying he would slap anyone,” one fan commented on Inaba’s post.

A second added: “It clearly wasn’t Val threatening to punch you in the face… I think what he meant was that famous line.”

During Tuesday night’s episode, Johnson and Inaba faced off in an intense exchange as the judges gave their opinions on the routine she and her partner, Harry Shum Jr., performed.

When Inaba pointed out that an elevator was included when it was not necessary, Johnson disagreed.

“Yes, it was an elevator,” Inaba insisted, reading the definition from a sheet of paper as the audience fell silent.

“Dancing With the Stars” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+.