Val Chmerkovskiy punished by DWTS, 10 years after being sued for his ‘lack of sensitivity’

Dancing with the Stars pro Valentin Chmerkovskiy was suspended from the show for one week, and will be replaced tonight by Alan Bersten, who will dance with Jenna Dewan.

His suspension is a result of him threatening judge Carrie Ann Inaba, writing “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

That’s a reference to former Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars after saying, “Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth!”

Val is married to DWTS pro Jenna Johnson, whose dancing during Super Bowl Week was criticized by judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Right here on reality blurred, Marshal Knight presciently noted in his recap and analysis that “Jenna and Val cannot take criticism to save their lives,” and discussed the “tensions … between Carrie Ann and Jenna Johnson.”

That led to reports that Val was “furious” backstage, and eventually his Instagram post. Val later apologized, also in a disappearing Instagram story, writing:

I want to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my recent post.

I have reached out to Carrie Ann to apologize directly and personally, and I also want to apologize publicly as l understand my words affect so many outside of our internal DWTS family. I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it. I recognize that l am in a fortunate position to have a platform and to be a role model to some, and I need to treat that with more care by actively pausing to think before I post to ensure what I am sharing aligns with who I am, and who I want to be for you all.

l am truly sorry to Carrie Ann, and everyone who I hurt with my careless post. I will do better moving forward.

Dancing with the Stars producers BBC Studios still suspended him for one show. In a statement, the production company said:

“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.”

There have been dueling reports about whether or not Carrie Ann went to HR over this—People says no, she did not—but that really doesn’t matter, except to give some people a reason to blame her.

A decade ago, Val posted a photo of an 8-year-old at a baseball game drinking a soda, with meme text on it saying “Letting your kid become obese should be considered child abuse.” The kid also happens to have Down syndrome.

Val wrote on his post “I am truly sorry for the lack of sensitivity…but on some level I have to agree….You’re handicapping your kid, and they’re defenseless.”

The girl’s mother sued for $12.6 million. In a decision denying CCCC’s motion to dismiss, a judge wrote this:

Mr. Chmerkovskiy states that it is clear he was stating only the hyperbolic opinion that letting a child become overweight by not controlling her consumption is akin to child abuse, an opinion on a matter of public concern. (Docket No. 40, p. 2.) The court agrees that a reasonable person would not understand Mr. Chmerkovskiy’s statement to be an actual statement of fact that S.E. is a victim of child abuse. However, by posting the photograph of S.E. drinking what appears to be a sugary beverage alongside this statement, the posting may create an inference of an underlying fact that S.E. has been given unhealthy dietary guidance by her family and is overweight as a result. Mr. Chmerkovkiy’s subsequent Facebook comments implying that S.E. has been “handicapped” only bolster this implication.

A jury trial was set  for July 10, 2018. But then, after the parties filed a “a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal,” the case was dismissed with prejudice before the end of 2017.

There’s an idea: maybe Chmerkovskiy should be dismissed with prejudice from Dancing with the Stars permanently, as he hasn’t figured out how to post with care in 10 years.

All of reality blurred’s content is independently selected, including links to products or services. However, if you buy something after clicking an affiliate link, we may earn a commission. Learn more.