Dancing With the Stars Season 35 has been an eventful one on the ABC dance competition. In fact, this season will go down in DWTS history for a rare suspension involving a professional dancer.
Val Chmerkovskiy was notoriously sidelined this season for a week after his feud with judge Carrie Ann Inaba. It all started when he called the Dancing With the Stars judge out on social media for criticizing a performance by his wife, Jenna Johnson.
Key Takeaways
- Val Chmerkovskiy received a one-week suspension from DWTS
- His controversial social media post referenced Will Smith’s Oscars slap
- Val apologized to Carrie Ann Inaba following the backlash
- Val returned to the ballroom with partner Jenna Dewan
- Carrie Ann addressed their relationship after his return
Val Chmerkovskiy VS Carrie Ann Inaba
After the show, Val went on a rant on social media and made some controversial comments.
He even referenced Will Smith’s notorious Oscars slap, which some interpreted as implying the same thing could happen to Inaba.
BBC Studios, which produces the show, suspended the pro dancer for a week. Val also issued a public apology to Inaba before returning to the stage.
According to TVLine’s report on Val’s suspension, the production company called his social media post inappropriate.
DWTS spoilers reveal that Val Chmerkovskiy has since returned to the Season 35 stage and has danced with his partner Jenna Dewan since the scandal a few weeks ago.
Viewers assumed that there would be more drama between the dancers and the judges, but apparently, it is all water under the bridge.
Dancing With The Stars Judge Speaks Out
This week on Dancing With the Stars, Inaba spoke out after the show and addressed the alleged feud.
According to TVLine, Carrie and Val were chatting off to the side and caught the audience’s attention.
The judge joked to the crowd that everyone was staring and reassured fans that she and Val were cordial coworkers and were on good terms.
Meanwhile, Val and Carrie Ann were also spotted sharing a hug and conversation during a commercial break, suggesting the two have moved past the controversy.
Val has also expressed regret over his comments and made it clear that he never intended to threaten the judge.
Annemarie’s Take
I can understand Val wanting to defend his wife, but bringing up Will Smith’s Oscars slap was definitely not the smartest way to handle the situation. Carrie Ann is a judge, and giving criticism is part of her job.
I’m glad to see they appear to have worked things out, though. Val apologized, served his suspension, and returned to the ballroom. Hopefully, everyone can move forward and focus on the dancing instead of the drama!
Do you think Val Chmerkovskiy took things too far, or should he have been suspended longer? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and keep checking back here on Celebrating The Soaps for more Dancing With the Stars news and updates.