Carrie Ann Inaba addresses DWTS lift rule after Val Chmerkovskiy suspension

Longtime Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba has addressed the controversy surrounding professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy’s one-week suspension, sharing where she stands with pro Jenna Johnson and urging the ballroom competition to introduce a formal new lift rule next season.

Inaba, who has judged on the series since 2005, explained in the comments section of her Instagram account on October 26 why she had not addressed the ballroom situation earlier. “I have not spoke about what happened because of professional courtesy for those who are still competing, and we actually have standards and practices that keep us separated,” Inaba wrote.

Where things stand with Jenna Johnson

The controversy traces back to the October 13 Super Bowl Night episode of Dancing with the Stars season 35, when Inaba flagged an illegal lift during a samba performed by Johnson and actor Harry Shum Jr., reading the ballroom definition aloud from a piece of paper.

Addressing the fallout, Inaba emphasized that she and Johnson quickly cleared the air in person. “I think it’s important for everyone to know that Jenna and I hugged it out after the Super Bowl show. Jenna was an absolute professional about it, and two women worked through the moment,” Inaba shared. “It came to my attention later that Jenna was deeply hurt. So I also offered to speak with her at anytime. I have also offered to discuss the lift rule and how I enforce it.”

Johnson later left three emojis (“💕✨👯‍♀️”) on Inaba’s October 24 Instagram carousel, which featured a backstage photo of the two women hugging.

The suspension and backstage fallout

Tensions escalated after the Super Bowl Night broadcast when Chmerkovskiy posted on TikTok: “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night” and “Put some respect on her name,” referencing Will Smith’s slap at the 2022 Oscars. Chmerkovskiy quickly deleted the remarks, but BBC Studios suspended him for one episode on October 17.

“The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show,” a BBC Studios spokesperson said in an official statement.

Chmerkovskiy apologized on his Instagram Stories, writing: “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.”

Pro Alan Bersten filled in to dance with Chmerkovskiy’s celebrity partner Jenna Dewan on Dedication Night on October 20. Chmerkovskiy’s suspension ended on October 21, when he returned to rehearse an Argentine tango with Dewan for the October 27 episode.

Inaba calls for updated guidelines

Looking ahead, Inaba suggested that producers and dancers come together to modernize the show’s technical lift requirements ahead of season 36.

“In addition, I think in the future, a new lift rule should be created for next season,” Inaba wrote. “The show has evolved tremendously; the way the show is cast has also changed and so has our audience and the way they consume the show. So, working together to create a better understanding between the dancers and the judges and our audience is important to me, as we move forward and is something I have asked for.”

Other pros have also touched on the technical guidelines during the season. Pro dancer Sharna Burgess shared an educational TikTok video explaining ballroom lift and assist rules alongside her celebrity partner Tyler Cameron.

While TMZ reported that Inaba had filed an HR complaint that led to Chmerkovskiy’s benching, an insider who spoke to E! News contested that claim. Producers and BBC Studios have not announced whether they will alter lift regulations or host an official summit between dancers and judges for season 36.