Entertainmentfilm-tv
Val Chmerkovskiy Benched From 'DWTS' Over Carrie Ann Inaba Slap Joke
BBC Studios has benched professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy from the upcoming episode of 'Dancing With the Stars' following an inappropriate social media joke targeting judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The controversy arose after Inaba critiqued a routine performed by Jenna Johnson, Chmerkovskiy's wife, prompting Chmerkovskiy to post a now-deleted TikTok story referencing the infamous Will Smith Oscar slap. Following public backlash and a personal response from Inaba, Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology, acknowledging the severity of his words while production emphasized that staff well-being remains non-negotiable.