ENTERTAINMENT

Val Chmerkovskiy Skips Dedication Night After Controversy

PUBLISHED Oct 17, 2026, 6:43 PM ET

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Val Chmerkovskiy will not perform in the upcoming Dedication Night episode of Dancing With the Stars after a controversial TikTok post referencing Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap. The production company said his social media comment was inappropriate and could distract from the show’s celebration. Jenna Dewan, his partner for season thirty‑five, will instead dance with Alan Bersten on October twentieth. The decision follows a broader backlash over his earlier comments about judge Carrie Ann Inaba during the Super Bowl Night episode. Fans and critics alike have called for greater sensitivity on the program’s platform. Val’s statement apologized for the poor judgment of his reference, noting he did not intend to implicate Inaba or damage the show’s reputation. He added he would continue to support the cast and crew while he reflects on the incident. The move underscores the network’s emphasis on maintaining a

By Lauren B. | JQJO News

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2026-10-17 — Val Chmerkovskiy Skips Dedication Night After Controversy

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