Dancing With the Stars cast reconciles after Chmerkovskiy suspension

Jenna Johnson and judge Carrie Ann Inaba shared a warm, off-camera embrace on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ following recent tensions involving Johnson’s husband, Val Chmerkovskiy.

Chmerkovskiy received a one-week suspension after making a controversial social media post that referenced the Will Smith Oscars slap. The post was made in defense of Johnson following a critique from Inaba regarding a dance lift. Chmerkovskiy subsequently issued an apology, stating he did not wish to become a distraction during the show’s Dedication Night.

Guest judge Kym Johnson-Herjavec noted that despite the drama, the atmosphere during Dedication Night remained positive and focused on the celebrities' tributes. Body language experts described the interaction between Johnson and Inaba as a genuine moment of unity rather than a performance for the cameras.