Entertainment

Dancing With the Stars Suspends Val Chmerkovskiy

Updated 2026-10-17 19:40 UTC 2 sources Negative

Val Chmerkovskiy has been suspended from Dancing with the Stars for a week after posting a controversial TikTok message that seemed to reference Will Smith's 2022 Oscar slap. The show producer stated that the well-being of everyone working on the show is non-negotiable.

Coverage timeline — 2 articles

Variety

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pulls Val Chmerkovskiy After ‘Inappropriate’ Carrie Ann Inaba Slap Joke: ‘The Well-Being’ of Our Staff Is ‘Non-Negotiable’

“Dancing With the Stars” is benching Val Chmerkovskiy after his recent joke about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “The well-being of everyone who works on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standard

2026-10-17 19:30 UTC

Deadline

Val Chmerkovskiy Gets One-Week ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Suspension For Controversial TikTok Seemingly Referencing Will Smith-Chris Rock Slap

Val Chmerkovskiy is being suspended from Dancing with the Stars for a week after he posted a controversial TikTok message that seemed to reference Will Smith’s 2022 Oscar slap. In a statement released today, producer BBC Studios said, “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the S

2026-10-17 19:30 UTC