'DWTS' Val Chmerkovskiy and Carrie Ann Inaba drama explained: Will Smith Oscar's slap reference and apology
Photo: ABC
Val Chmerkovskiy has apologised to Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba after referencing Will Smith’s infamous Oscars slap in a now-deleted social media post responding to criticism of his wife, Jenna Johnson.
The controversy began following the October 13, 2026 episode of DWTS, when Inaba assessed Johnson and her dance partner, Harry Shum Jr., after their samba to Usher’s “Yeah!” during Super Bowl Night.
Although Inaba said she “loved every minute” of the performance, she criticised the routine for needing “more content” and pointed out an illegal lift.
Johnson questioned the feedback, while Chmerkovskiy subsequently shared a TikTok remark that read, “You almost saw the Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”
Photo: TikTok/Instagram
The reference was widely interpreted as invoking Smith’s 2022 Oscars confrontation with Chris Rock, when the actor slapped the comedian after a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Inaba addressed the post on Instagram on October 15, sharing the alleged remark and thanking other outlets “for bringing this to my attention.”
Later that day, Chmerkovskiy issued a public apology through his Instagram Stories, confirming that he had also contacted Inaba privately.
“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,” he wrote.
He added, “I am truly sorry to Carrie Ann, and everyone who I hurt with my careless post. I will do better moving forward.”
The professional dancer acknowledged the impact of his platform and said he needed to think more carefully before posting online.
The dispute has also drawn attention to differing opinions about Inaba’s judging, with some defending Chmerkovskiy’s intended meaning while others criticised the reference to violence.
Chmerkovskiy’s apology follows a tense exchange that has brought the latest DWTS judging controversy into the spotlight.