Brief
Val Chmerkovskiy suspended for one episode after TikTok meme reference
BBC Studios suspended the dancer for a week following a TikTok post that alluded to the 2022 Oscars incident.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Dancing with the Stars professional Val Chmerkovskiy was handed a one‑episode suspension by BBC Studios, the show's production company, after posting a TikTok meme that referenced Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap. The meme was posted in response to Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of a lift involving Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her partner Harry Shum Jr. In the video, Chmerkovskiy said viewers “almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom,” a line many interpreted as a nod to the slap.
Chmerkovskiy later apologized publicly to Inaba and privately, stating in an Instagram Story on October 17 that he made a poor decision to use the meme to “keep my wife’s name out of the conversation.” BBC Studios said the post did not reflect the show’s values and emphasized staff well‑being, making the suspension the first of its kind in the series.
Key facts
- Val Chmerkovskiy received a one‑episode suspension from Dancing with the Stars. (independent.co.uk)
- The suspension followed a TikTok meme referencing Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap. (independent.co.uk)
- Chmerkovskiy apologized in an Instagram Story on October 17, calling his decision poor. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Why Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from Dancing with the Stars”
