Entertainment · October 21, 2026
‘DWTS’ pro Val Chmerkovskiy reacts to Alan Bersten ‘stepping in’ to dance with Jenna Dewan amid suspension
Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy publicly thanked fellow pro Alan Bersten for partnering with Jenna Dewan during Chmerkovskiy's one-week suspension. Through Instagram comments, Chmerkovskiy praised Bersten’s performance and addressed unsubstantiated social media rumors suggesting he had unfollowed Bersten and other colleagues in light of his benching. Chmerkovskiy specifically complimented Dewan's performance and urged fans to vote for her, signaling professional support despite his temporary absence from the competition.
Read the original coverage
- New York PostTabloid
‘DWTS’ pro Val Chmerkovskiy reacts to Alan Bersten ‘stepping in’ to dance with Jenna Dewan amid suspension
Read at New York Post ↗ - Us WeeklyCelebrity
DWTS’ Val Chmerkovskiy Thanks Alan Bersten for ‘Stepping In,’ Addresses Unfollowing Rumors
Read at Us Weekly ↗ - E! NewsCelebrity
Dancing With The Stars' Val Chmerkovskiy Addresses Rumors He Unfollowed Alan Bersten Amid Suspension
Read at E! News ↗
Reported by multiple outlets
- Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week from Dancing With the Stars.
- Alan Bersten filled in for Chmerkovskiy as Jenna Dewan's dance partner.
- Chmerkovskiy commented on Bersten's Instagram post to thank him for stepping in.
- Chmerkovskiy praised Jenna Dewan's performance and appearance of happiness during the dance.
- Chmerkovskiy addressed rumors regarding him unfollowing colleagues by calling Bersten his 'new favorite follow'.
- Chmerkovskiy is 40 years old and Bersten is 32 years old.
Reported by only some outlets
- Chmerkovskiy used his Instagram Stories to specifically urge followers to vote for Jenna Dewan ten times by texting a specific number.
- The performance took place during 'Dedication Night' on October 20.
Confirmed
- Val Chmerkovskiy thanked Alan Bersten on Instagram for replacing him for one week.
- Jenna Dewan performed with Alan Bersten during Chmerkovskiy's suspension.
- Chmerkovskiy joked about the unfollow rumors by calling Bersten his 'favorite follow'.
Reported
- Carrie Ann Inaba may have filed the complaint leading to the suspension. (E! News)
Rumor
- Val Chmerkovskiy unfollowed multiple DWTS personalities after being benched. (Social media users/Online rumors)
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