The dance floor is officially a place of healing once again. Following a turbulent two weeks that saw fan-favorite professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy hit with a one-week suspension from Dancing with the Stars Season 35, the pro dancer took full accountability in front of the cameras during Tuesday night’s “Horror Movie Night” broadcast, delivering a heartfelt, direct apology to his celebrity partner, Jenna Dewan.
The fallout stemmed from Week 5, when judge Carrie Ann Inaba penalized Dewan and Chmerkovskiy over an alleged illegal “lift” during their samba routine, going so far as to read the official rulebook definition on air. In a heat-of-the-moment reaction defending his wife (fellow pro Jenna Johnson, who faced similar critiques), Chmerkovskiy posted a now-deleted status referencing Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap—a move that prompted a public reaction from Inaba and an immediate one-week suspension from show producers.
With pro Alan Bersten stepping in to partner The Rookie actress during Week 6, Chmerkovskiy used their return to rehearsal for Week 7 to clear the air entirely.
“I am so sorry for all of that chaos, you did not deserve that,” Chmerkovskiy expressed directly to Dewan during their taped rehearsal segment.
Dewan met his vulnerability with total grace, offering full forgiveness before the duo locked in to master an intricate Argentine Tango. The hard work paid off spectacularly: when the studio lights came up, Inaba opened her judging feedback by praising Chmerkovskiy’s “incredible choreography” before awarding the pair a glowing 9 out of 10.
By prioritizing open communication and mutual respect, Chmerkovskiy and Dewan turned a potentially career-derailing controversy into a masterclass in resilience—proving that true partnership shines brightest when the pressure is highest.
