He’s one of the ballroom’s most recognizable professionals, with three Mirrorball Trophy victories and years of unforgettable performances. But when Val Chmerkovskiy isn’t on the dance floor, fans notice immediately. A viral headline now claims he’s been “benched” — raising questions about what happened and whether his future on the show is changing.
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For more than a decade, Valentin Chmerkovskiy has been one of the defining faces of Dancing with the Stars.
Known for his demanding choreography, competitive personality, and emotional performances, the Ukrainian-American dancer has built a devoted following.
He’s also become a familiar presence away from the ballroom, particularly through his marriage to fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson and their growing family.
So when a social-media image appeared with the dramatic words “BENCHED FROM DWTS,” it immediately suggested that something significant had happened.
But being benched can mean several things on the competition series. A professional might be temporarily absent from rehearsals, sit out a performance, appear without a celebrity partner, or simply not be selected for a particular season.
Those situations are not interchangeable.
And the viral image provides no date, episode, official announcement, or explanation for its claim.
The Real Reason Val Was Benched Has Now Been Confirmed
The viral headline is accurate about the suspension, although it leaves out the circumstances.
On October 17, 2026, Dancing With the Stars confirmed that Val Chmerkovskiy, 40, would be suspended for one week following a controversial social-media post about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
The decision came after a disagreement involving Val’s wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson, during the October 13 broadcast.
The show’s production company, BBC Studios, said the post was inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards expected of people associated with the program.
ABC News
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How One Dance Routine Sparked the Controversy
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It began during the show’s October 13 Super Bowl-themed episode.
Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr., performed a samba.
The routine received enthusiastic reactions, but judge Carrie Ann Inaba questioned the choreography, particularly a lift that she believed violated the competition’s rules.
Johnson challenged the criticism during the broadcast.
The disagreement was uncomfortable, but it was not unusual for a televised dance competition, where judges and performers sometimes interpret choreography differently.
However, Val, who was watching his wife face criticism, responded publicly afterward.
And his response escalated the situation far beyond a disagreement over a dance move.
The Social-Media Comment That Crossed a Line
After the broadcast, Val posted a message that appeared to reference Will Smith’s confrontation with Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards.
The reference suggested a comparison between Smith defending his wife at the Oscars and Val’s own desire to defend Jenna Johnson.
Although Val later said he intended to reference an internet meme rather than threaten anyone, the implication drew criticism.
The post was deleted.
BBC Studios subsequently announced that Val would not participate in the October 20 episode.
It was an unusually serious consequence for a professional dancer on the long-running show.
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Val Breaks His Silence and Apologizes
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Following the suspension, Val publicly acknowledged that his response had been inappropriate.
He explained that his instinct was to defend his wife but admitted that referencing the meme had been a mistake.
He also said that he had personally apologized to Carrie Ann Inaba.
Rather than disputing the production company’s decision, Val expressed regret that his actions had become a distraction from the competition.
His response suggested that he understood the seriousness of the controversy, even if he had not intended his original message to be interpreted as threatening.
Us
Who Will Replace Him on Dancing With the Stars?
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Val’s suspension created an immediate problem for his celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan.
The two had been competing together during Season 35, and their partnership had already produced strong performances.
But the show had to find another professional dancer for the upcoming October 20 episode, known as Dedication Night.
The producers selected Alan Bersten, a former Mirrorball Trophy winner who had previously been eliminated from the season.
Bersten will dance with Dewan in a Viennese waltz to Unchained Melody, dedicated to her mother.
The substitution allows Dewan to remain in the competition despite the unexpected change.
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Another Professional Dancer Questions the Replacement
The controversy did not end with Val’s suspension.
Former DWTS professional Gleb Savchenko publicly questioned the decision to bring back Alan Bersten.
During a TikTok livestream, Savchenko criticized Bersten’s technical and artistic abilities relative to Val’s.
His comments generated additional debate among fans, some of whom defended Bersten’s record as a former champion.
The disagreement added another layer of drama to an already difficult week for the ballroom competition.
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What Does This Mean for Val’s Future on the Show?
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For now, the announced punishment is limited to one week.
Val is scheduled to miss the October 20 episode, but the producers have not announced that he has been permanently removed from the series.
That distinction matters.
Being suspended for an episode is serious, particularly for someone who has been associated with the competition for many years.
But it is not equivalent to being fired.
Val remains one of the show’s most accomplished professionals, with three Mirrorball Trophy victories and a long history of memorable partnerships.
Whether the controversy will have any lasting effect on his role has not been established.
A Single Post, an Unexpected Suspension, and an Uncertain Next Step
What began as a disagreement over a samba lift became one of the most talked-about controversies of the season.
Val Chmerkovskiy defended his wife, made a social-media comment that was widely criticized, apologized, and received a one-week suspension.
Now his celebrity partner must perform with a different professional dancer while the show moves forward.
The biggest unanswered question is not why Val was benched — that has been confirmed — but how his relationship with the show will evolve after his suspension ends.
For fans who have watched him compete for years, the October 20 episode will be an unusual sight: Jenna Dewan returning to the ballroom without Val by her side.
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