The professional dancer missed Dedication Night after a Will Smith Oscars reference aimed at judge Carrie Ann Inaba drew criticism.
Val Chmerkovskiy missed *Dancing With the Stars* on Tuesday, October 20, after BBC Studios suspended the longtime professional dancer for one week over a social media post about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The dispute began after Inaba criticized a lift performed by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, pro dancer Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. during the previous week’s Super Bowl Night episode.
Chmerkovskiy was not paired with Johnson this season. His Season 35 celebrity partner is actress Jenna Dewan, while Johnson is competing with Shum.
Alan Bersten Replaces Chmerkovskiy for Dedication Night
Alan Bersten temporarily replaced Chmerkovskiy and danced with Jenna Dewan during Dedication Night. The substitute partnership allowed Dewan to continue competing while Chmerkovskiy served his one-week suspension.
Chmerkovskiy has been a longtime professional dancer on Dancing With the Stars, making his absence a notable change to the season’s lineup.
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