@future.hype3: A heated disagreement on Dancing with the Stars has turned into a public apology after professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy referenced Will Smith’s infamous Oscars incident while defending his wife. The controversy began on Tuesday, October 13, when judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized the samba performed by Val’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her dance partner, Harry Shum Jr. Although Inaba praised the routine, she said it needed more content and pointed out what she believed was an illegal lift. Val later reacted on TikTok with a since-deleted post featuring a selfie and the caption, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” The remark referenced Smith’s 2022 Oscars confrontation with Chris Rock, which drew widespread attention after Smith struck the comedian onstage. When Inaba learned about Val’s post, she shared a screenshot on Instagram and responded with a pointed question: “So this is what we are doing now?” But the situation didn't end there. On Thursday, Val publicly apologized, admitting that he should never have made the reference. He also said he had reached out to Inaba personally to apologize. “I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it,” he wrote, acknowledging that his public platform came with responsibility. Val added that he needed to think more carefully before posting and ensure his words reflected the person he wanted to be. What started as a disagreement over dance judging quickly became a larger conversation about public comments, accountability, and the impact of celebrity influence. Do you think Val’s public apology was enough to put the controversy behind them? \#DWTS #ValChmerkovskiy #CarrieAnnInaba #WillSmith #celebritynews

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Friday 16 October 2026 16:27:00 GMT