Val Chmerkovskiy joked about grabbing “Dancing With the Stars” from Carrie Ann Inaba’s car weeks before his remarks about the judge landed him a temporary suspension from the show.
The “DWTS” pro, 40, brought up the Inaba vehicle while chatting with Entertainment Tonight on Sept. 29 about the 58-year-old criticizing his costar, Jenna Dewan, for being “too strong” on stage.
As Dewan, 45, shared his intention to “work with” Inaba’s advice and apply it to his future performances, Chmerkovskiy interrupted to say, “I know where (Inaba) parks his car. »
He joked: “I’m just saying, if she doesn’t want a different design…”
Dewan laughed before redoubled his intention to learn from Inaba’s critique of their samba to “Africa”.
Chmerkovskiy noted: “(Dewan) is not wrong. Carrie Ann is right. I guess I was only frustrated because we talked about it this week. … I thought (Dewan) did it. So the comments are correct – last week.”
Representatives for Chmerkovskiy, Inaba and ABC did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Page Six.
Two weeks after Chmerkovskiy’s surprising remark about Inaba’s car, the dancer took aim at Inaba on social media following a tense exchange she had with his wife, Jenna Johnson, during the Oct. 13 episode.
At the time, Inaba criticized Johnson, 32, for incorporating an elevator into his and partner Harry Shum Jr.’s performance.
Johnson pushed back in an awkward moment – and then reportedly cried backstage.
Chmerkovskiy then took to TikTok to tell his followers that they “almost saw Fresh Prince walk into the ballroom last night.”
His since-deleted upload apparently referenced “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” alum Will Smith, who infamously slapped 2022 Oscars host Chris Rock and told him to “keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.”
BBC studios called Chmerkovskiy’s message “inappropriate” over the weekend while announcing his week-long suspension.
“The well-being of everyone who works on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is non-negotiable,” Saturday’s statement said. “Val’s social media post…does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected to the show.”
Chmerkovskiy, for his part, apologized to Inaba on his Instagram Story and admitted to “making a bad decision.”
He will be replaced Tuesday on the “Dedication Night” show by Alan Bernsten.
We learn that Chmerkovskiy handled the setback “gracefully” – even if it took him “by surprise” – and he will be watching the episode from home.
Gn entert
