Tensions are reportedly running high behind the scenes at “Dancing With the Stars,” with producers said to be furious over Val Chmerkovskiy’s controversial remarks about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
The professional dancer, 40, has been suspended from the October 20 episode after making a social media comment referencing Will Smith’s infamous slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.
Now, an insider claims Chmerkovskiy’s public apology wasn’t entirely his decision and may have been necessary to protect his future on the ABC competition.
“He won’t be [fired], no,” a source told The U.S. Sun, adding that producers encouraged the longtime dancer to apologize after the controversy intensified.
According to the insider, Chmerkovskiy initially stood by his joke but reconsidered after receiving a stern warning from those behind the show. The source claimed he ultimately apologized to save his job, although that account has not been independently confirmed.
The controversy began during the October 13 episode, when Inaba criticized a lift performed by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr., during their samba routine.
Inaba explained that the move violated the competition’s rules, prompting an uncomfortable exchange with Johnson.
Chmerkovskiy subsequently defended his wife in a since-deleted TikTok, suggesting viewers nearly witnessed the “Fresh Prince” enter the ballroom. The remark appeared to reference Smith’s confrontation with Rock after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The comment sparked backlash, with critics questioning whether the reference was appropriate given the violent nature of the original incident.
Chmerkovskiy later issued a public apology, explaining that his instinct to defend his wife had clouded his judgment.
“I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent post,” he wrote, confirming that he had also contacted Inaba privately.
He acknowledged that his reference to the Oscars incident could carry implications he hadn’t intended and said Inaba did not deserve to become the target of his poor judgment.
Despite the apology, the reported tension between the dancer and judge has apparently not disappeared.
The U.S. Sun’s insider claimed Inaba feels as though she is “walking on eggshells” following the controversy and remains uncertain about how to move forward.
The source also maintained that Inaba stands by her original criticism of Johnson’s performance, viewing her comments as constructive feedback rather than a personal attack.
On October 17, BBC Studios confirmed Chmerkovskiy would be removed from the upcoming episode, emphasizing that his social media behavior did not meet the show’s professional standards.
“The well-being of everyone who works on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is non-negotiable,” the production company said in a statement.
Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan, will instead perform with professional dancer Alan Bersten during the show’s Dedication Night episode on October 20.
Bersten, who previously won the Mirrorball Trophy with Hannah Brown, was eliminated earlier this season alongside celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.
Dewan is scheduled to perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” in honor of her mother, while Chmerkovskiy has said he plans to watch and cheer on his partner from home.
The controversy has also divided members of the show’s extended dance family. Former professional Gleb Savchenko publicly defended Chmerkovskiy and criticized Inaba’s assessment of Johnson’s choreography.
For now, Chmerkovskiy’s suspension is limited to one week, and there has been no official announcement suggesting he will be permanently removed from the competition.
However, the latest allegations about tensions behind the scenes raise questions about how comfortably the longtime dancer and Inaba will work together when he returns to the ballroom.