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Entertainment · October 14, 2026

‘DWTS’: Val Chmerkovskiy References Will Smith’s Oscars Slap While Defending Wife Jenna Johnson Amid Carrie Ann Inaba Criticism

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Following the "Super Bowl Night" episode of Dancing With the Stars, pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy publicly defended his wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, against criticism from judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The dispute centered on Inaba's claim that Johnson's samba choreography for partner Harry Shum Jr. included an illegal lift, which Inaba defined by reading from a sheet of paper during the live broadcast. While Johnson expressed understanding of the critique during the show, she and Chmerkovskiy later questioned the feedback on social media. Chmerkovskiy sparked further controversy with a since-deleted TikTok post referencing the "Fresh Prince," which many fans interpreted as an allusion to Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap.

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Reported by multiple outlets

  • Carrie Ann Inaba criticized Jenna Johnson's choreography for containing a 'lift' and for lacking content.
  • Inaba read a formal definition of a lift from a piece of paper during the live broadcast.
  • Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr. received a total score of 33/40, with eights from the mainstay judges and a nine from guest judge Joe Buck.
  • Val Chmerkovskiy wrote 'Puts some respect on her name. Shes trippin talking to her like that' in a TikTok comment.
  • Chmerkovskiy was seen shaking his head in the skybox during the scoring segment.

Reported by only some outlets

  • Val Chmerkovskiy posted a TikTok Story stating 'You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.'
  • Chmerkovskiy subsequently deleted the 'Fresh Prince' TikTok Story.
  • Jenna Johnson told Extra she spoke to Inaba after the show to express her respect for the judges.
  • Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Dewan tied for the highest score of the night.

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