Fastrack · Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From Dancing With the Stars Over Slap Joke

Dancing With the Stars producer BBC Studios suspended pro Val Chmerkovskiy for one episode. The suspension follows a TikTok post widely read as alluding to Will Smith's Oscars slap.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued his wife, Jenna Johnson, over a lift.
Chmerkovskiy's since-deleted post said Fresh Prince almost entered the ballroom.
6 hours, at least, the TikTok Story stayed live before deletion.
He apologized to Inaba on Instagram on Thursday.

Why it matters: BBC Studios called the post inappropriate and said staff well-being is non-negotiable. The suspension stands despite his public apology.

Dewan and Chmerkovskiy topped the leaderboard during Super Bowl Night.
Inaba has told Variety that ballroom criticism and booing have made her afraid.

How 9 sources split on this story

Source landscape

Factuality

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Mixed

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Strong LeftLeftLean LeftCenterLean RightRightStrong Right

Political Bias

Coverage by lean% of 9 sources

9 sources · 9 articles · 45% Center coverage

Center coverage, 4 sources: The center frames it as a one-week disciplinary suspension over a post that seemed to reference the slap.

Deadline3hVal Chmerkovskiy Gets One-Week ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Suspension For Controversial TikTok Seemingly Referencing Will Smith-Chris Rock Slap PennLive2h‘Dancing With the Stars’ pulls star after slap joke TMZ1h'DWTS' Pro Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From Show After Will Smith Slap Joke USA Today1h'Dancing with the Stars' pro Val Chmerkovskiy pulled after Carrie Ann Inaba remark

Left coverage, 3 sources: The left frames the story as a pro removed after a joke aimed at a judge, with attention to Inaba's history of fan hostility.

Variety3h‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pulls Val Chmerkovskiy After Carrie Ann Inaba Slap Joke Hollywood Reporter3hVal Chmerkovskiy Ousted From Next ‘DWTS’ Episode Amid Will Smith Oscars Slap Reference, Jenna Dewan to Dance With Alan Bersten Cleveland.com2h‘Dancing With the Stars’ pulls star after slap joke

Right2 sources

Daily Mail1hDWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from show after being accused of threatening to slap judge over wife's low score New York Post2hVal Chmerkovskiy suspended from 'Dancing With the Stars' for one week due to controversial TikTok

What’s next: Dewan will dance with Bersten on the Oct. 20 Dedication Night episode. Bersten was eliminated in week three.

Her routine is a Viennese waltz to "Unchained Melody," dedicated to her mother.
Whether Chmerkovskiy returns to partner Dewan after the one-week suspension
Whether the missed week affects Dewan's standing in the competition