Val Chmerkovskiy Returns as DWTS Celebrates Dedication Night
WHO:
The Hollywood Reporter - Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the *Dancing With the Stars* season 35 cast after a one-episode suspension; he is partnered with Jenna Dewan.
The Hollywood Reporter - Jenna Dewan performed with pro dancer Alan Bersten while Chmerkovskiy was absent. Jenna Johnson is Chmerkovskiy’s wife and a fellow pro dancer; Carrie Ann Inaba is a judge.
Vulture - The episode’s contestants and partners included Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach; Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik; Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas; Jackson Olson and Emma Slater; Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov; Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten; Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson; Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold; Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess; and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa.
Vulture - Guest judge and former pro Kym Johnson joined the ballroom. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne were co-hosts.
WHAT:
Vulture - The judges scored Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach’s performance 37/40, one point higher than the 36/40 previously reported.
Vulture - Tyler Cameron dedicated his contemporary dance to his mother, who died suddenly of a brain aneurysm.
Vulture - Julia Stiles’s routine featured members of the *10 Things I Hate About You* cast, including Gabrielle Union, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Larisa Oleynik, Andrew Keegan, and Susan May Pratt.
Vulture - Julia Stiles performed to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.”
Vulture - Amber Glenn’s contemporary dance used Sia’s “Breathe Me”; the recap said Glenn’s younger sister, Brooke, saved her life.
Vulture - Jackson Olson’s mother, Laura, is a special education teacher.
Vulture - Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach performed a contemporary dance to Mon Rovia’s “Bloodline” in honor of Ezra’s mother, Bahar; the judges scored it 37/40.
Vulture - Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik honored the late James Avery with a Viennese waltz to Nancy Wilson’s “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” and scored 32/40.
Vulture - Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas performed the show’s first Irish paso doble, to Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” and scored 35/40.
Vulture - Jackson Olson and Emma Slater dedicated their quickstep to Jackson’s mother, Laura; they scored 32/40.
Vulture - Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov performed a contemporary dance about Glenn’s mental-health journey and tribute to her sister Brooke; they scored 38/40.
Vulture - Harry Shum Jr. dedicated his foxtrot to his wife, Shelby, and incorporated his parents and daughter into the routine; he and Jenna Johnson scored 36/40.
Vulture - Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold dedicated their Viennese waltz to Wood’s father, who has lymphoma; they scored 32/40.
Vulture - Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa honored the late Heath Ledger with a contemporary dance that referenced *10 Things I Hate About You*; they scored 36/40.
Vulture - Kym Johnson gave the season’s first 10, scoring Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach’s performance.
Vulture - Julianne announced that Pasha Pashkov won a People “Sexiest Male Pro” contest.
The Hollywood Reporter - Chmerkovskiy missed Dedication Night and is set to complete the rest of the season with Dewan. Dewan and Bersten scored 37/40 for a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers, dedicated to Dewan’s mother.
The Hollywood Reporter - Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro said, “Val is not with us this week.” BBC Studios said Chmerkovskiy’s social media post was “inappropriate” and did not reflect the show’s standards, adding, “As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”
The Hollywood Reporter - Chmerkovskiy’s post, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” alluded to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. He posted it after Inaba critiqued Johnson and Harry Shum Jr.’s samba to Usher’s “Yeah!”; Inaba said the dance needed “more content” and noted there was a lift.
The Hollywood Reporter - Chmerkovskiy apologized publicly and said he had also contacted Inaba directly: “I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it.” He said he intended to defend his wife but did not consider what the reference could imply.
Vulture - No couples were eliminated on Dedication Night; two couples were scheduled to leave during the following Halloween-themed episode.
Vulture - Scores included Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, 38/40; Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten, 37/40; Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, 36/40; Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa, 36/40; Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, 35/40; and Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, 32/40.
Vulture - Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess performed “Supermarket Flowers” for Cameron’s late mother; Cameron and his fiancée Tate revealed they are expecting a girl.
WHERE:
The Hollywood Reporter - Chmerkovskiy was back in rehearsals and was expected to return to the ballroom for the next episode.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - Chmerkovskiy’s suspension was for one episode. BBC Studios announced the suspension on Saturday; he was absent from Tuesday’s Dedication Night and returned to rehearsals “as of today.”
Vulture - Chmerkovskiy’s replacement pairing with Dewan was arranged on Friday night, according to the recap.
WHY:
Vulture - Ezra Frech’s mother, Bahar, gave up her acting career to care for him and encouraged him not to feel limited by his disability, according to the recap.
The Hollywood Reporter - Chmerkovskiy was suspended following the social media post that alluded to Smith’s Oscars slap while responding to Inaba’s critique of Johnson.
Vulture - Dewan was paired with Bersten because of what the show described as an “unusual situation” involving Chmerkovskiy’s absence.
HOW:
Vulture - Ezra Frech’s mother, Bahar, joined him and Daniella Karagach on the dance floor during their contemporary performance.
The Hollywood Reporter - Bersten substituted for Chmerkovskiy as Dewan’s dance partner during the suspension.
Vulture - Dedication Night performances honored contestants’ family members and personal stories, with dances spanning contemporary, Viennese waltz, paso doble, quickstep, and foxtrot.
(UPDATED October 22, 2026 16:18 UTC)
Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the “Dancing With the Stars” cast after serving a one-episode suspension, and is set to finish the season partnered with Jenna Dewan. He missed Dedication Night after a social media post referencing the 2022 Oscars slap drew criticism; Chmerkovskiy apologized, saying he intended to defend his wife, Jenna Johnson. Alan Bersten filled in for him, dancing a Viennese waltz with Dewan that scored 37 out of 40. The episode celebrated contestants’ families and personal stories. Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov earned the night’s top score, 38 out of 40, with a contemporary dance honoring Glenn’s sister. Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach scored 37, with Frech’s mother joining them on the dance floor. Julia Stiles honored the late Heath Ledger in a routine referencing “10 Things I Hate About You.” No couples were eliminated; two were scheduled to leave during the Halloween-themed episode.
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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 10:12 UTC)
Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom after a one-episode suspension, rejoining Jenna Dewan for the rest of the season. He missed Dedication Night after a social media post referencing Will Smith’s Oscars slap, made in response to judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of his wife, Jenna Johnson. Chmerkovskiy apologized, saying he regretted the reference and had contacted Inaba directly. During his absence, Dewan danced with Alan Bersten, earning 37 out of 40 for a Viennese waltz dedicated to her mother. The episode featured tributes to family and loved ones, including Amber Glenn’s contemporary dance about her mental-health journey, which scored 38 out of 40. Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach earned 37, while Harry Shum Jr. and Johnson scored 36. Guest judge Kym Johnson awarded the season’s first 10. No couples were eliminated, and Tyler Cameron and his fiancée revealed they are expecting a girl.
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(UPDATED October 22, 2026 08:08 UTC)
Val Chmerkovskiy has returned to the “Dancing With the Stars” cast after a one-episode suspension, and he is set to finish the season partnered with Jenna Dewan. He missed Dedication Night after posting a reference to Will Smith’s Oscars slap in response to judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of his wife, dancer Jenna Johnson. Chmerkovskiy apologized, saying he regretted the remark and had contacted Inaba directly. While he was away, Dewan danced with Alan Bersten, earning 37 out of 40 for a Viennese waltz dedicated to her mother. Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov topped the listed scores with 38 out of 40. Tyler Cameron honored his late mother with a performance and revealed that he and his fiancée are expecting a girl. No couples were eliminated; two are scheduled to leave during the Halloween-themed episode.