Jenna Dewan Acknowledges Val Chmerkovskiy Suspension, Thanks Alan Bersten Before October 20 Show
Updated
Updated · TV Insider · Oct 20
Jenna Dewan Acknowledges Val Chmerkovskiy Suspension, Thanks Alan Bersten Before October 20 Show
3 articles · Updated · TV Insider · Oct 20
Summary
Jenna Dewan publicly addressed the DWTS disruption for the first time on October 20, thanking Alan Bersten for “stepping in” as her partner for Dedication Night.
Alan Bersten replaced Val Chmerkovskiy after BBC Studios suspended him from the live episode over an October 14 TikTok post that referenced Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap.
Carrie Ann Inaba had criticized choreography by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, on the October 13 show; after backlash, Chmerkovskiy issued two apologies and said he had become a distraction.
Dewan has focused her posts on honoring her mother, Nancy Bursch, for Dedication Night and has not commented directly on the suspension itself.
Chmerkovskiy, a 3-time Mirrorball champion, is expected back for the October 27 episode if Dewan remains in the Season 35 competition.