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Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended Over Will Smith Reference

PUBLISHED Oct 18, 2026, 2:42 PM ET

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Valentin "Val" Chmerkovskiy, the forty‑year‑old professional dancer, was suspended from "Dancing With the Stars" after a deleted TikTok post appeared to reference Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap. The post, made in defense of his wife Jenna Johnson, was deemed inappropriate by the show’s producers. As a result, Val will miss the upcoming Dedication Night episode, marking the first known suspension of a professional dancer in the program’s history. The network emphasized that the well‑being of everyone involved is non‑negotiable and that Val’s post did not reflect the values expected of anyone connected with the show. Val apologized publicly and privately, stating he never intended to cause offense. The controversy began after Carrie Ann Inaba criticized Johnson and partner Harry Shum Jr. during a Super Bowl‑night episode. Val’s comment, referencing the Fresh Prince, was widely seen as a nod to Smith’

By Nathan B. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On February 25 2022 Will Smith slaps Chris Rock during Academy Awards.
On October 17 2026 Val Chmerkovskiy posts TikTok referencing Will Smith.
On October 17 2026 DWTS producers suspend Val for one week.
On October 19 2026 Dedication Night episode scheduled for Val’s absence.

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