Val Chmerkovskiy Rejoins Dancing With the Stars After One-Episode Suspension
The pro returns to Season 35 rehearsals with celebrity partner Jenna Dewan for the upcoming horror-themed episode, BBC confirmed.
Val Chmerkovskiy is returning to Dancing With the Stars Season 35 after serving a one-episode suspension, sources told comingsoon.net. The professional dancer has resumed rehearsals and will rejoin his celebrity partner Jenna Dewan for the upcoming horror-themed installment.
During Dedication Night, Dewan danced with substitute partner Alan Bersten while Chmerkovskiy was suspended. The BBC handed Chmerkovskiy a one-episode suspension on Saturday, with the broadcaster saying the protection of staff was "non-negotiable."
Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology and contacted judge Carrie Ann Inaba personally.
What led to the suspension
During the show's Super Bowl Night, Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr. danced a samba to Usher's "Yeah!" and Inaba asked for "more content" and challenged a lift.
Chmerkovskiy then posted a message saying "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night," a reference to Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap, which drew criticism. Inaba questioned the remark on Instagram. Chmerkovskiy later apologized, saying he should never have made the reference.
Quick answers
Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from Dancing With the Stars?
The BBC suspended him for one episode after he posted a message referencing Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap, which drew criticism. Chmerkovskiy publicly apologized.
Who did Jenna Dewan dance with during Val Chmerkovskiy's suspension?
Jenna Dewan danced with substitute partner Alan Bersten during Dedication Night.