Val Chmerkovskiy Returns to DWTS After Will Smith-Linked Suspension

Television has always been adept at absorbing its own scandals and moving forward with a kind of institutional amnesia, and Dancing With the Stars demonstrated that quality with considerable efficiency on its Horror Movie Night episode, as Val Chmerkovskiy made his return to the ballroom following a one-week suspension tied to comments referencing Will Smith's now-infamous 2022 Oscars incident. The episode offered a measured, if carefully contained, acknowledgment of the controversy — enough to address the elephant in the room without fully relitigating what had unfolded over the preceding week.

The Incident That Sparked the Suspension

The chain of events began on Super Bowl Night, when longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized pro dancer Jenna Johnson — Chmerkovskiy's wife — over a lift executed during her samba with partner Harry Shum Jr. Inaba went so far as to read aloud a written definition of what constitutes a lift during the live broadcast, a moment that struck many viewers as pointed. Chmerkovskiy responded not from the ballroom floor but from social media, posting a comment on TikTok alluding to "the Fresh Prince entering the ballroom" — an unmistakable reference to Will Smith's conduct at the 2022 Academy Awards, when Smith walked onto the stage and struck host Chris Rock after Rock made a joke at Jada Pinkett Smith's expense. The implication — that Chmerkovskiy had nearly confronted Inaba in a similarly dramatic fashion — drew immediate attention and ultimately led to his suspension from the following week's Dedication Night episode.

A Quiet Absence and a Warmer Return

The production's handling of Chmerkovskiy's absence during Dedication Night was notably understated. Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro offered only a brief note that "Val is not with us this week," and when Jenna Dewan's video package aired, a late Friday timestamp acknowledged that Alan Bersten had stepped in, without elaborating on why. No rehearsal footage with Chmerkovskiy was included, and no further explanation was offered to viewers at home.

His return for Horror Movie Night was handled with somewhat more transparency, though still within carefully managed boundaries. In the pretaped video package preceding his and Dewan's Argentine tango — a zombie-themed number that earned praise from the judges — Chmerkovskiy addressed his partner directly. "We are back together. I am so sorry for all the chaos. You did not sign up for that, and I feel awful," he said. Dewan offered a simple and generous response: "I forgive you."

Inaba Offers Praise, and a Post-Show Hug

Perhaps the most significant gesture of reconciliation came from Inaba herself. When the judges delivered their critiques of the couple's performance, Inaba led with an emphatic commendation of Chmerkovskiy's choreography — "Incredible choreography, Val. I wanna say that first. Incredible" — before turning her attention to Dewan's performance. It was a deliberate and public signal, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that the tension between judge and choreographer had been meaningfully addressed.

After the episode concluded, a video of Inaba and Chmerkovskiy sharing a post-show hug circulated online. Chmerkovskiy subsequently told People that the exchange "felt like cathartic relief," adding that his priority had been ensuring Inaba understood his genuine regard for her: "I want nothing but love for Carrie Ann. I have nothing but respect for what she has to say."

Inaba, for her part, had already taken to Instagram to clarify some of the backstory — noting that she and Johnson had actually "hugged it out" after the Super Bowl episode and that professional standards had kept her from speaking publicly sooner.

The Longer Shadow of a Famous Slap

What makes this particular episode of reality television drama resonate beyond its immediate context is, of course, the cultural weight of the reference Chmerkovskiy chose to invoke. The 2022 Oscars slap remains one of the most discussed moments in recent awards-show history — an event that continues to surface in unexpected corners of pop culture. Smith's shadow, it seems, extends well beyond cinema, touching everything from comedy specials to, now, competitive ballroom dancing. Chmerkovskiy and Dewan survived the episode's double elimination, ensuring they'll return for next week's Disney-themed installment — a softer backdrop that may help the season turn the page entirely.

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