Entertainment · October 16, 2026
‘DWTS’ pro Val Chmerkovskiy apologizes to Carrie Ann Inaba for Will Smith slap reference
Dancing With the Stars professional Val Chmerkovskiy has issued public and private apologies to judge Carrie Ann Inaba following a controversial social media post. The conflict began during the show's "Super Bowl Night" episode when Inaba penalized Chmerkovskiy's wife, pro dancer Jenna Johnson, and her partner Harry Shum Jr. for an illegal lift. In response, Chmerkovskiy posted a since-deleted TikTok status stating, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night," a reference to Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap. After facing backlash from fans and a social media response from Inaba, Chmerkovskiy expressed deep regret for the "careless" reference, acknowledging his responsibility as a role model.
Read the original coverage
- New York PostTabloid
‘DWTS’ pro Val Chmerkovskiy apologizes to Carrie Ann Inaba for Will Smith slap reference
Read at New York Post ↗ - E! NewsCelebrity
DWTS’ Val Chmerkovskiy Apologizes to Carrie Ann Inaba After Will Smith Oscars Slap Comment
Read at E! News ↗ ‘DWTS’ Pro Val Chmerkovskiy Apologizes to Carrie Ann Inaba for “Careless” Will Smith Oscars Slap Reference: “I Will Do Better”
Read at The Hollywood Reporter ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Val Chmerkovskiy apologized to Carrie Ann Inaba both personally and publicly via Instagram Stories.
- The controversy stemmed from a TikTok status where Chmerkovskiy wrote, 'You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.'
- The comment referenced Will Smith’s actions at the 2022 Oscars following a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
- Inaba and Jenna Johnson had a tense exchange during a live episode regarding a 'lift' in a samba routine.
- Inaba used a printed definition of a 'lift' to justify her critique during the broadcast.
Reported by only some outlets
- Inaba credited Page Six for bringing Chmerkovskiy's post to her attention.
- Chmerkovskiy's TikTok status was live for at least six hours before being deleted.
- Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr. stated after the episode that they accepted the judges' feedback despite the initial disagreement.
- E! News listed the full Season 35 cast members and their partners.
Confirmed
- Val Chmerkovskiy posted a reference to Will Smith on TikTok and later deleted it.
- Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology on Instagram Stories on October 15.
- Carrie Ann Inaba penalized Jenna Johnson for a lift during the Super Bowl Night episode.
- Inaba responded to Chmerkovskiy's post on Instagram before he apologized.
Reported
- Chmerkovskiy reached out to Inaba directly to apologize personally. (E! News)
- The TikTok post was live for at least six hours. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Rumor
- Chmerkovskiy was threatening physical violence against Inaba. (Social media users/Reddit)
- The post was only intended to reference Will Smith's verbal defense of his wife, not the slap. (Social media users cited by Page Six)
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