Entertainment · October 27, 2026
DWTS' Carrie Ann Inaba Breaks Silence on Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension, Wants to Enforce New Lift Rule
Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has addressed the recent suspension of professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy and her on-air disagreement with his wife, pro Jenna Johnson. Following the Oct. 13 episode where Inaba penalized Johnson for a lift, Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week due to inappropriate comments directed at the judge. Inaba explained that she delayed her response out of professional courtesy and adherence to show standards. She noted that she and Johnson had privately resolved their tension immediately after the broadcast, although she later learned Johnson remained hurt and has since offered further discussion. Inaba is also proposing a new official lift rule for the series' next season.
Read the original coverage
- E! NewsCelebrity
DWTS' Carrie Ann Inaba Breaks Silence on Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension, Wants to Enforce New Lift Rule
Read at E! News ↗ - VarietyTrade
Carrie Ann Inaba Speaks Out After Val Chmerkovskiy’s ‘DWTS’ Suspension, Requests Show to Add ‘New Lift Rule’ Next Season
Read at Variety ↗ - New York PostTabloid
‘DWTS’ judge Carrie Ann Inaba breaks silence on pro Val Chmerkovskiy’s suspension
Read at New York Post ↗ - DeadlineTrade
'DWTS' Judge Carrie Ann Inaba Speaks Out After Val Chmerkovskiy Suspension & Calls For "New Lift Rule"
Read at Deadline ↗ - Us WeeklyCelebrity
Carrie Ann Inaba Offered to Speak With Jenna Johnson After ‘DWTS’ Drama, Proposes ‘New Lift Rule’
Read at Us Weekly ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Carrie Ann Inaba addressed the controversy via the comments section of a recent Instagram post.
- Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week following comments he made regarding Inaba's feedback to Jenna Johnson.
- The initial tension began during the Oct. 13 'Super Bowl Night' episode over a lift in a samba performed by Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr.
- Inaba and Johnson spoke and hugged immediately after the Oct. 13 show.
- Inaba is calling for a new lift rule to be implemented in the show's next season.
- Inaba cited professional courtesy and show standards and practices as the reasons for her initial silence.
Reported by only some outlets
- New York Post reports Jenna Johnson 'broke down' backstage and Val Chmerkovskiy was 'pissed' during the initial incident.
- E! News and Variety mention that Alan Bersten replaced Val Chmerkovskiy during his suspension.
- Us Weekly notes that Inaba referenced a video by Sharna Burgess explaining the technicalities of lifts and assists.
- New York Post and Variety mention that Chmerkovskiy was expected to return for 'Horror Movie Night'.
Confirmed
- Val Chmerkovskiy received a one-week suspension.
- Carrie Ann Inaba and Jenna Johnson hugged and spoke after the Oct. 13 broadcast.
- The dispute originated from a samba performance involving Harry Shum Jr.
- Inaba posted her explanation on Instagram on Oct. 27.
Reported
- Jenna Johnson 'broke down' backstage while Val Chmerkovskiy was 'pissed'. (New York Post)
- Inaba and Johnson hugged it out specifically during the Oct. 20 show. (Variety)
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