When Will Val Chmerkovskiy Return to ‘DWTS’? All About His Suspension

There has been no shortage of controversy on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars, but the most recent social media drama has led to the suspension of pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy from the ballroom.

“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable,” DWTS’ production company said in a statement. “Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show.”

So, what exactly did Chmerkovskiy do and when can we expect him to return to the show alongside celebrity partner Jenna Dewan? Scroll down for everything to know.

When will Val Chmerkovskiy return to Dancing With the Stars?

So far, Chmerkovskiy is only confirmed to be missing the October 20 episode of Dancing With the Stars. “As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show,” BBC Studios’ October 17 statement concluded.

Should Dewan make it through the October 20 show without being eliminated, Chmerkovskiy is currently expected to return for the October 27 episode. We will update this post if anything changes.

Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from Dancing With the Stars?

Chmerkovskiy’s suspension was the result of a comment he made on social media following the October 13 episode. During that live show, judge Carrie Ann Inaba gave Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her partner, Harry Shum Jr., some critiques about their dance. She noted that the routine didn’t include enough of the assigned dance style (samba), and urged Johnson to add more content to future dances.

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Inaba also docked a point from Shum Jr.’s score because of an illegal lift in the routine. Johnson expressed her confusion at the lift remark, which prompted Inaba to read the official definition of a “lift” out loud (“any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner”) and confirm she was still taking a point off.

Chmerkovskiy shook his head and looked disappointed as Johnson and Shum Jr. received their scores (a 33/40 total). Afterwards, he defended his wife in the comments section of a TikTok video that highlighted his reaction, writing, “[Put] some respect on her name. Shes trippin talking to her like that.”

He then posted (and eventually deleted) a TikTok Story that said, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” an apparent reference to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars in 2022 after the latter made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.

When Inaba caught wind of the post, she posted a screenshot of what Chmerkovskiy wrote in a now-deleted Instagram and asked, “So this is what we are doing now?”

Chmerkovskiy took to his Instagram Story to issue a public apology. “I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent post,” he wrote. “I have reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly and personally, and I also want to apologize publicly as I understand my words affect so many outside of our internal DWTS family. I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it. I recognize that I am in a fortunate position to have a platform and be a role model to some, and I need to treat that with more care by actively pausing to think before I post to ensure what I am sharing aligns with who I am, and who I want to be for you all. I am truly sorry to Carrie Ann, and everyone who I hurt with my careless post. I will do better moving forward.”

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But two days later, BBC Studios announced Chmerkovskiy’s suspension. He issued another public statement, in which he claimed he did not mean to insinuate violence with his Fresh Prince reference.

“In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme to ‘keep my wife’s name’ out of the conversation, without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply,” Chmerkovskiy explained. “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was. The last thing I want is to become a distraction from an important week or from the incredible work my dance partner Jenna Dewan is putting in. Please send Carrie Ann, Jenna, and the whole DWTS family lots of love during Dedication Night. I’ll be watching and cheering everyone on!!”

Who is replacing Val Chmerkovskiy on Dancing With the Stars?

For the October 20 episode, Chmerkovskiy is being replaced by Alan Bersten. Dewan will dance her Dedication Night routine to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers with Bersten. The performance will be dedicated to her mother, Nancy Bursch.

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Bersten was partnered with Giada De Laurentiis this season, but they were eliminated on the September 22 episode. He has since become a member of the troupe and was available to fill in.

BBC Studios has not confirmed whether Bersten will remain as Chmerkovskiy’s replacement if the latter’s suspension extends to future weeks.

Dancing With the Stars, Season 35, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC and Disney+