Brief
Jenna Dewan teases DWTS routine with Alan Bersten after Val Chmerkovskiy's suspension
The actress posted an Instagram teaser for a Viennese waltz dedicated to her mother, while the show explains Val Chmerkovskiy's suspension.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Jenna Dewan posted a short Instagram Stories video on Sunday promoting her upcoming "Dedication Night" performance on Dancing With the Stars, dancing with temporary partner Alan Bersten while pro Val Chmerkovskiy serves a one‑week suspension.
What happened
Dewan and Bersten rehearsed a Viennese waltz set to the Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" and shared a teaser that highlighted the routine's dedication to Dewan's mother. The video was posted shortly after the network announced that Chmerkovskiy would miss the next episode.
What the reports add
The Los Angeles Times notes that Chmerkovskiy's suspension follows a TikTok post that referenced Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap, which the network deemed inappropriate. BBC Studios issued a statement emphasizing the "non‑negotiable" well‑being of all staff and confirming the suspension. Chmerkovskiy later apologized, saying he reacted on instinct to defend his wife, judge Carrie Ann Inaba, and expressed regret for the meme reference.
What was said
Dewan said, "It’s 'Dedication Night' and we are dancing a Viennese waltz to 'Unchained Melody'… the greatest, most romantic song ever," and added that the dance honors her mother, who "always been my biggest cheerleader."
Chmerkovskiy’s apology, provided to Deadline, read, "In a moment where my instinct was to defend my wife, I made a poor decision to reference a meme… Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment."
How it came about
Chmerkovskiy's TikTok comment was a reaction to judge Carrie Ann Inaba's critique of his wife Jenna Johnson and partner Harry Shum Jr. during the "Super Bowl Night" episode. The network's response and the subsequent apology led to his suspension, prompting the show to pair Dewan with Bersten, who previously danced with Giada De Laurentiis earlier in the season. For earlier coverage of Dewan's partner change, see Felo's Oct. 18 article.
Key facts
- Jenna Dewan will perform a Viennese waltz to "Unchained Melody" on DWTS Dedication Night with Alan Bersten. (latimes.com)
- Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week after a TikTok post referencing Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap. (latimes.com)
- Chmerkovskiy apologized, saying he acted on instinct to defend his wife and regretted the meme reference. (latimes.com)
Sources
- [1] latimes.com — originally reported as “Jenna Dewan teases next 'DWTS' performance with Alan Bersten amid Val Chmerkovskiy's suspension”
