Val Chmerkovskiy apologises to Jenna Dewan after suspension

Val Chmerkovskiy has publicly apologised to his Dancing with the Stars partner Jenna Dewan following a brief suspension that forced him to miss a week of the competition. The professional dancer expressed regret during a televised rehearsal segment, marking an emotional moment as the pair reunited on the dance floor.

The apology was featured in the rehearsal package for Horror Movie Night, which aired on Tuesday, October 27. Addressing Dewan, Chmerkovskiy acknowledged the difficult situation and admitted that she had been caught up in unnecessary controversy.

“I am so sorry for all of that chaos, you did not deserve that,” he told her.

Dewan accepted his apology and confirmed that she had forgiven him. The two then returned to their preparations for the Argentine tango, putting the recent disagreement behind them and focusing on their performance.

Controversy that led to suspension

Chmerkovskiy’s suspension followed a public dispute involving Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The controversy reportedly began after Inaba questioned a lift performed during a samba routine by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson, and her partner, Harry Shum Jr., during Super Bowl Night on October 13.

Following the criticism, Chmerkovskiy shared a TikTok video that appeared to reference the infamous 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. The post attracted attention and was subsequently deleted.

Inaba later addressed the situation through her Instagram Story, responding with the words, “So this is what we are doing now?”

Chmerkovskiy eventually issued a public apology on October 15, explaining that he had also reached out to Inaba privately to address the matter.

However, the situation resulted in disciplinary action. On October 17, BBC Studios, the producer of the competition, announced that Chmerkovskiy would miss the next broadcast. The production company described his social media post as inappropriate and inconsistent with the show’s standards.

Alan Bersten steps in for the performance

During Chmerkovskiy’s absence, professional dancer Alan Bersten stepped in to partner Dewan for the October 20 episode. Bersten had previously been eliminated from the competition alongside celebrity contestant Giada De Laurentiis.

Although Chmerkovskiy could not perform with Dewan that week, he remained involved in preparing her routine. He choreographed a Viennese waltz and gave Bersten permission to make adjustments to the choreography to suit the performance.

Dewan revealed that the pair had only two and a half days to prepare for their dance, making the experience particularly challenging.

Their performance was set to the classic song Unchained Melody and carried a deeply personal meaning for Dewan. The routine served as a tribute to her mother, Nancy, who joined them on the dance floor, adding an emotional element to the performance.

The heartfelt dance earned a strong response from the judges. Inaba awarded Dewan her first perfect 10 of the season, while the couple received an overall score of 37 out of 40.

Chmerkovskiy’s return brings a positive moment

Chmerkovskiy’s return to the competition marked a more positive chapter following the controversy. After performing the Argentine tango with Dewan, the professional dancer received encouraging feedback from Inaba.

The judge began her critique by praising his choreography, describing it as incredible. Her comments suggested a more constructive atmosphere as the pair continued their journey in the competition.

Inaba awarded the couple a nine out of 10 for their Argentine tango, providing another encouraging result for Dewan and Chmerkovskiy.

The exchange between the dance partners and the judge offered a moment of reconciliation after the public dispute. With the apology accepted and the competition continuing, Chmerkovskiy and Dewan returned their attention to the performances ahead.