How DWTS Addressed Val, Carrie Ann Inaba Controversy on Horror Night

Key Points:

• Val Chmerkovskiy returned to Dancing With the Stars after a one-week suspension following his controversial reference to Will Smith’s Oscars incident during a critique of judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
• The show addressed Chmerkovskiy’s absence only briefly, with co-host Alfonso Ribeiro noting his nonattendance, and his return was acknowledged in a pre-performance video package where he apologized to partner Jenna Dewan.
• Despite the controversy, Chmerkovskiy and Dewan received praise for their Argentine tango on Horror Movie Night and survived the double elimination to continue competing.
• The conflict originated from Inaba’s critique of Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, over a lift in her dance, leading to Chmerkovskiy’s contentious comment referencing the Will Smith Oscars slap.
• Inaba later emphasized the need to update the lift rule for future seasons and expressed willingness to collaborate with dancers and producers to clarify judging standards for safety and fairness.