Carrie Ann Inaba and Val Chmerkovskiy bury the hatchet after ‘Dancing With the Stars’ suspension

The two appeared to put recent tensions behind them with a hug on the set of 'Dancing with the Stars'

Carrie Ann Inaba and professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy appeared to put recent tensions behind them with a hug on the set of Dancing with the Stars.

The moment, which has gone viral, marked Chmerkovskiy’s first week back on the ABC competition after serving a one-week suspension over comments directed at Inaba.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dispute began during the October 13 episode, when Inaba highlighted lifts in Jenna Johnson’s performance, prompting a tense exchange between the judge and the professional dancer.

Chmerkovskiy, who is married to Johnson, subsequently posted a social media comment referencing Will Smith’s Oscars incident involving Chris Rock. He wrote, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

BBC Studios imposed a one-week suspension, describing the post as “inappropriate” and saying it did not reflect “the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show.”

RELATED

'DWTS' Val Chmerkovskiy and Carrie Ann Inaba drama explained: Will Smith Oscar's slap reference and apology

Val Chmerkovskiy speaks out after 1-week suspension from 'Dancing with the Stars'

‘DWTS’ suspension: What really led to Val Chmerkovskiy’s absence?

Steve Kazee breaks silence after Val Chmerkovskiy’s 'DWTS' suspension

Chmerkovskiy later deleted the comment and apologised to Inaba, acknowledging his poor judgement.

“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, which was genuinely never my intention,” he said.

He added, “Carrie Ann certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment, and I hate that she was.”

Inaba also addressed the wider disagreement in a recent social media post, explaining that she and Johnson had reconciled after their exchange and that she remained open to discussing the show’s lift rules.

The latest on-set interaction suggests relations between Inaba and Chmerkovskiy are becoming more cordial following the controversy.