Carrie Ann Inaba on Val’s Suspension and the DWTS Lift Rule

Carrie Ann Inaba has finally spoken about the drama that kept Val Chmerkovskiy off the Dancing With the Stars floor for a week.

On Tuesday, October 27, ahead of Horror Movie Night, the longtime judge posted a statement saying the headlines had missed key parts of the story. She says she and Jenna Johnson made peace right after their on-air clash. She also says she is open to talking through how she enforces the lift rule.

One point up front: no new lift rule has been announced. Below is the full timeline, what each person has said, and what could come next.

What Did Carrie Ann Inaba Say About Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension?

Inaba shared her statement on Instagram on October 27. She did not call out Val by name for most of it. Instead, she focused on what happened between her and his wife, pro dancer Jenna Johnson.

She said she had stayed quiet out of professional courtesy to people still competing. She also said the show’s standards and practices keep her separated from the situation.

Why Carrie Ann Inaba Decided to Address the Controversy

Inaba said she felt the public story had left out important parts. In her view, the “headline” was missing the fact that she and Johnson had already talked.

The post came a week after she returned to Instagram with a short, upbeat note. On October 20, just hours before Dedication Night, she wrote that she was “always and forever team Dancing with the Stars.”

What Inaba Revealed About Her Conversation With Jenna Johnson

Inaba said she and Johnson “hugged it out” after the Super Bowl Night show. She described Johnson as a professional and said the two worked through the moment as adults.

She also said she later learned Johnson had been deeply hurt. At that point, Inaba said, she offered to talk with her anytime. She added that she has offered to discuss the lift rule and how she enforces it.

Johnson reacted to the post with emojis. Inaba replied that they were always okay, and praised Johnson’s work with partner Harry Shum Jr.

What Happened Between Carrie Ann Inaba and Jenna Johnson on DWTS?

The whole story starts with one dance on October 13.

The Samba Performance That Sparked the Lift Controversy

That night was Super Bowl Night, a themed episode. Johnson and Shum Jr. performed a samba. Inaba flagged a lift in the routine and took a point off for it.

Johnson asked what she meant. Inaba then read the show’s definition of a lift from the paper in front of her. The exchange was tense and played out in front of the cameras.

The couple still left with an “8” from Inaba, according to a report from SheKnows.

Want more on how a show like this comes together? Our piece on what goes on behind your favorite shows is a useful companion read.

Why Inaba Criticized the Lift in Johnson’s Routine

The lift rule is a long-standing part of DWTS judging. Inaba has explained in the past that it keeps the show close to official ballroom competition rules. It also helps keep scoring fair across couples.

In this case, Inaba said the starting position of the routine counted as a lift. Johnson disagreed and told Entertainment Tonight she stood by her choice.

How the Two Women Worked Through Their Disagreement

According to Inaba, they settled it privately the same night. Reports also said Johnson was in tears backstage afterward, though that detail came from an unnamed insider, so treat it as unconfirmed.

Since then, the two have appeared friendly on camera. A behind-the-scenes video showed Johnson and Inaba hugging.

Why Was Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From Dancing With the Stars?

Val’s suspension came from what he posted, not from the lift call itself.

After the episode, Val posted a TikTok video defending his wife. The caption said, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

That line was widely read as a reference to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. The post was later deleted.

BBC Studios, the company that produces the show, confirmed the discipline. Its statement said the post was “inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected” of anyone tied to the show. It also called the well-being of the show’s workers non-negotiable.

TMZ reported that Inaba filed a complaint with HR. Inaba has not confirmed that in the statements covered here, so it remains a report.

Val Chmerkovskiy’s Apology to Carrie Ann Inaba

Val publicly apologized and called the comment a poor decision. He also said he did not want the controversy to overshadow his partner, actress Jenna Dewan, or the episode itself.

Later, he told People the talk he had with Inaba felt like “cathartic relief.” He said he wanted her to know he has love and respect for her.

How the One-Week Suspension Affected His Participation

Val missed Dedication Night on October 20. Alan Bersten, who had been eliminated as a pro earlier in the season, stepped in to dance with Dewan for that week.

People reported that it was the show’s first-ever suspension of a pro. Val returned the following week. During the October 27 episode, a video showed him and Inaba hugging. She told the people around them they were coworkers and “completely cordial.”

What Is Carrie Ann Inaba Saying About the Lift Rule?

The headline question is whether Inaba wants a new rule. Based on her own words, the answer is more modest. She offered to talk about the existing rule and how she applies it.

What Is the Lift Rule on Dancing With the Stars?

In simple terms, DWTS has a “no lifts” rule. A lift generally means a move where one dancer’s weight is carried off the floor. Some dances allow certain moves and others do not, and that is where the confusion starts.

Inaba has said before that the rule exists to mirror real ballroom competition. Judges can dock a point when they spot a violation.

Why Lift Rules Can Create Disagreements Between Judges and Dancers

The line between a lift and a stylized move is thin. Different people see it differently, and the dancers know the show’s moves better than most viewers do.

Former pro Maks Chmerkovskiy, Val’s brother, criticized the rulebook as confusing. He argued the rule applies to the partners, not to backup dancers. Some fans also pointed to an earlier routine where Val used troupe dancers in a lift that Inaba called legal at the time.

Other voices backed Inaba. Former pro Louis van Amstel said she was right to call out Johnson’s lift. He also noted that a lift in Val and Dewan’s routine was not called, which he described as inconsistent. Former pro Anna Trebunskaya also defended Inaba’s comments.

Could DWTS Revisit Its Lift Rules for Future Seasons?

It could. But nothing so far suggests it will. Inaba’s offer was to talk, not to change the rule. Any rule change would need to come from the show’s producers, and none has announced one.

What Happens Next for Carrie Ann Inaba and the DWTS Cast?

Where Things Stand Between Inaba and Jenna Johnson

Both sides now show signs of peace. Inaba says she is open to hearing from Johnson at any time, as long as it fits the competition’s rules and the producers’ guidance.

Inaba also said she plans to stay on the panel and give her view from outside the ballroom and Latin world. She says that perspective helps balance the judging table.

Is a New Lift Rule Officially Confirmed?

No. As of October 28, 2026, no official rule change has been announced by ABC, BBC Studios, or Inaba. Any story claiming otherwise is going further than the facts.

What the Controversy Could Mean for Future DWTS Performances

Expect pros and judges to be more careful in the room. Couples may spell out their choreography choices more clearly. Viewers may also watch lift calls more closely.

If you are catching up on the season, our streaming guide for Netflix and Disney+ in Canada can help you find where to watch.

Who Is Carrie Ann Inaba?

Her Background as a Dancer and Choreographer

Inaba was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and came up through dance. She first became widely known as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy show In Living Color, and she has also worked as a choreographer.

Her Long-Running Role as a Dancing With the Stars Judge

She has sat on the DWTS judges’ panel since the show premiered in 2005. Over the years she has become known for her emotional feedback and her firm stance on the lift rule.

Her Television Career Beyond DWTS

Beyond DWTS, Inaba has co-hosted the daytime talk show The Talk. She has also been a familiar name in dance and reality competition TV for decades.

Conclusion

The clearest takeaway is that this story has calmed down more than the headlines suggest. Inaba and Johnson say they resolved it on the spot. Val served his suspension and returned. And the lift rule remains as it was.

The next real news will be whether producers clarify how lifts are judged. Until then, expect the debate to continue among fans and former pros.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Did Carrie Ann Inaba Say About Val Chmerkovskiy?

She focused on his wife. Inaba said she and Jenna Johnson hugged it out after Super Bowl Night and that she has offered to talk through the lift rule. She did not announce any new action against Val.

Why Was Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From DWTS?

He posted a deleted TikTok comment that seemed to reference the 2022 Oscars slap after Inaba criticized a lift in his wife’s routine. BBC Studios called the post inappropriate and suspended him for one week.

Did Carrie Ann Inaba and Jenna Johnson Make Up?

Both say yes. Inaba says they made peace the night of the dance, and the two have since shown affection on camera.

What Is the Lift Rule on Dancing With the Stars?

It is a no-lifts rule meant to keep the show close to official ballroom competition standards. Judges can take points off when they believe a routine breaks it.