Alan Bersten Steps in for Suspended Val, Dances With Jenna Dewan
WHO:
The Cut - Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson performed the samba that preceded the controversy.
The Cut - DWTS co-host Alfonso Ribeiro introduced Alan Bersten as Jenna Dewan’s partner, saying, “As you can see, Alan Bersten is with Jenna Dewan because Val is not with us this week.”
US Magazine - Pasha Pashkov, 40, discussed how the cast moved forward during the suspension.
NY Post - Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten performed together; the routine was dedicated to Dewan’s mother, Nancy Lee Bursch.
NY Post - Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended from an upcoming episode of “Dancing With the Stars” (DWTS).
US Magazine - DWTS professional dancer Alan Bersten, 32, said he was honored to step in and dance with Jenna Dewan.
WHAT:
The Cut - Judges gave Shum and Johnson’s samba an 8 out of 10 despite a lift in the routine.
The Cut - Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten received 37 out of 40 points and finished second for the evening.
The Cut - Val Chmerkovskiy apologized to Carrie Ann Inaba in an Instagram Story and publicly, writing, “I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent post.”
The Cut - Chmerkovskiy said he regretted the reference and that he “should have never made” it.
US Magazine - Jenna Dewan said she and Alan Bersten had about two and a half days to prepare for Dedication Night after the partner swap.
NY Post - Jenna Dewan earned her first 10 of the season for her Viennese waltz with Alan Bersten during Dedication Night.
NY Post - “Dancing With the Stars” acknowledged Chmerkovskiy’s suspension drama during Dedication Night.
NY Post - Chmerkovskiy’s suspension was officially lifted, and he was heading back to set.
US Magazine - Pashkov said the cast went into Dedication Night “with the right intention.”
US Magazine - Chmerkovskiy, 40, shared Instagram Story photos of himself at a farm with his and Jenna Johnson’s 3-year-old son, Rome.
NY Post - Chmerkovskiy is laying low during the week’s show after a one-week suspension.
NY Post - Bersten stepped in as Chmerkovskiy’s replacement and danced with Dewan.
NY Post - The pair delivered what the article described as a “breakthrough” dance.
NY Post - Bersten broke his silence about replacing Chmerkovskiy amid the suspension.
US Magazine - Bersten shared photos of himself and Dewan on the ballroom floor and wrote, “I am so honored to be stepping in and dancing with @jennadewan.”
US Magazine - The performance was for Dedication Night.
WHERE:
US Magazine - Chmerkovskiy shared the farm photos via Instagram Story.
WHEN:
US Magazine - Bersten posted about stepping in on Instagram on Tuesday, October 20.
WHY:
The Cut - DWTS producer BBC Studios said Chmerkovskiy’s social media post was inappropriate and did not reflect the show’s values or standards; it said the well-being of everyone working on the show was “non-negotiable.”
NY Post - Chmerkovskiy’s controversial post was intended to defend his wife, Jenna Johnson, from judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s criticism.
NY Post - Chmerkovskiy was suspended after referencing Will Smith’s controversial 2022 Oscars incident.
NY Post - Dewan and Bersten dedicated their routine to Dewan’s mother, Nancy Lee Bursch.
HOW:
US Magazine - Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach practiced their “blade stand”; Frech said they still had moments in the air when they had to say, “Whoa, whoa, whoa.”
NY Post - Dewan and Bersten performed a Viennese waltz.
US Magazine - Bersten announced his feelings about stepping in through an Instagram post featuring photos of the pair.
NY Post - Bersten replaced Chmerkovskiy as Dewan’s dance partner for the episode.
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 02:09 UTC)
Val Chmerkovskiy’s one-week suspension from “Dancing With the Stars” prompted Jenna Dewan to perform Dedication Night with Alan Bersten instead. Chmerkovskiy was suspended after a social media post defending his wife, Jenna Johnson, against judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s criticism; the show’s producer called the post inappropriate and inconsistent with its standards. Dewan and Bersten had about two and a half days to prepare, and dedicated their Viennese waltz to Dewan’s mother, Nancy Lee Bursch. Their performance earned 37 out of 40 points, including Dewan’s first 10 of the season, and placed second for the evening. Bersten said he was honored to step in. Chmerkovskiy apologized to Inaba, saying he regretted the reference and should never have made it. His suspension was officially lifted, and he was set to return to the show.
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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 00:06 UTC)
Jenna Dewan earned her first 10 of the season on “Dancing With the Stars,” performing a Viennese waltz with Alan Bersten on Dedication Night. Bersten stepped in for Val Chmerkovskiy, who was serving a one-week suspension after referencing Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars incident. Dewan and Bersten dedicated the routine to her mother, Nancy Lee Bursch, and had only about two and a half days to prepare after the partner swap. Bersten said he was honored to dance with Dewan, sharing photos of the pair on Instagram. The show also acknowledged the suspension drama, while professional dancer Pasha Pashkov said the cast approached the night with the right intention. Chmerkovskiy’s suspension was officially lifted, and he was heading back to set, though he kept a low profile during the episode. Meanwhile, Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach practiced their blade stand, describing some tense moments in the air.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 21:15 UTC)
Jenna Dewan earned her first perfect 10 of the season on “Dancing With the Stars,” performing a Viennese waltz with Alan Bersten on Dedication Night. Bersten stepped in for Val Chmerkovskiy, who was suspended for one episode after referencing Will Smith’s controversial 2022 Oscars incident. Dewan and Bersten dedicated their routine to her mother, Nancy Lee Bursch, and Bersten said he was honored to dance with her. The show also acknowledged the suspension drama during the episode. Chmerkovskiy’s suspension has since been officially lifted, and he is heading back to set. During the week away from the show, he shared Instagram Story photos of himself at a farm with his and Jenna Johnson’s 3-year-old son, Rome. Fellow pro Pasha Pashkov said the cast moved forward with the right intention.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 19:13 UTC)
“Dancing With the Stars” addressed Val Chmerkovskiy’s suspension during Dedication Night, as Alan Bersten stepped in to dance with Jenna Dewan. Their routine was dedicated to Dewan’s mother, Nancy Lee Bursch, and was described as a breakthrough performance. Bersten said he was honored to take Chmerkovskiy’s place, sharing photos of the pair on the ballroom floor. Chmerkovskiy had been suspended for a week after referencing Will Smith’s controversial 2022 Oscars incident in a post defending his wife, Jenna Johnson, from judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s criticism. The suspension has since been officially lifted, and Chmerkovskiy is heading back to set, though he is keeping a low profile during the show. He also shared Instagram Story photos from a farm with Johnson and their 3-year-old son, Rome. Professional dancer Pasha Pashkov said the cast moved forward with the right intention.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 04:11 UTC)
Maksim Chmerkovskiy is laying low during this week’s show after serving a one-week suspension. He shared Instagram Story photos from a farm with his and Jenna Johnson’s 3-year-old son, Rome. Fellow dancer Alan Bersten posted on Instagram about stepping in on Tuesday, October 20.
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(UPDATED October 21, 2026 03:12 UTC)
Alan Bersten stepped in for suspended “Dancing With the Stars” pro Val Chmerkovskiy, partnering with Jenna Dewan for a performance described as a breakthrough. Chmerkovskiy was suspended after referencing Will Smith’s controversial 2022 Oscars incident. For Dedication Night, Dewan and Bersten dedicated their routine to her mother, Nancy Lee Bursch, and Bersten said on Instagram he was honored to dance with her.