Carrie Ann Inaba responds to Val Chmerkovskiy's DWTS suspension, calls for new lift rule

Mixed · 2Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba commented publicly for the first time on the show's recent controversy, in an Instagram comment on Tuesday 27 October, and called for a new lift rule to be created for next season. 1 2 Left · 1Inaba said she had stayed quiet out of professional courtesy for those still competing, and because standards and practices keep the judges and dancers separated. 1 Mixed · 2The dispute began when Inaba called out a lift in a routine by pro dancer Jenna Johnson and the two had a tense exchange over the definition of a lift; Variety says Inaba read Johnson the definition. 1 2

Mixed · 2After the episode, Johnson's husband, pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, posted on TikTok, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night." Both outlets say this referenced Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars to defend his wife; Chmerkovskiy deleted the post. 1 2 Mixed · 2BBC Studios said the post was inappropriate and did not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show, and that Chmerkovskiy would not take part in the following week's show; Deadline describes this as a one-week suspension. 1 2 Mixed · 2Chmerkovskiy apologised on Instagram, saying his instinct was to defend his wife, that he had made a poor decision in referencing a meme, and that Inaba "certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment." Variety adds that he said he reached out to Inaba personally. 2 1

Mixed · 2Inaba said coverage of the episode "has missed a few important parts": she and Johnson hugged it out after the Super Bowl show and Johnson was professional about it, though Inaba later learned Johnson was deeply hurt and offered to speak with her at any time. 1 2 Left · 1Inaba also said she had offered to discuss the lift rule and how she enforces it, and pointed to a video by Sharna Burgess explaining lifts, assists and which dances allow them. 1 Mixed · 2Inaba proposed a session with all the dancers and judges to discuss the history of how and why Len Goodman, the original producers and Inaba defined the lift rule, whose purpose she said is safety and fairness. She said the show, its casting and its audience have changed and that better understanding between dancers, judges and viewers is something she has asked for. 1 2

Left · 1Variety adds that Inaba has long docked a point for lifts but has faced criticism in recent seasons from people who feel the judge is selective about whose lifts get called out. 1