During last Tuesday’s "Dancing With the Stars" episode, centered on Super Bowl halftime performances, a controversy arose following a samba routine by actor Harry Shum Jr. and his professional partner Jenna Johnson. The issue stemmed from a lift executed during the performance, which Judge Carrie Ann Inaba flagged as a violation of the show's rules prohibiting lifts in certain dance styles, including the samba.
Inaba defined a lift as any movement where a dancer has both feet off the floor simultaneously, supported by a partner. Johnson appeared to misunderstand the rule initially, believing it applied only when the partner physically lifts the other dancer, not when assisted by background troupe members. Despite the critique, the judges awarded Shum and Johnson each 8 out of 10 points.
The situation escalated when Johnson’s husband and fellow professional dancer, Val Chmerkovskiy, posted a cryptic message on TikTok that many interpreted as a veiled threat toward Inaba, referencing the 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. Chmerkovskiy quickly deleted the post but the episode drew significant media attention. Acknowledging the severity of his actions, the production company behind the show announced Chmerkovskiy’s suspension for one week, citing the need to maintain a respectful environment for all involved. In a statement, Chmerkovskiy apologized, calling his social media post a “poor decision” and clarifying that the reference was not meant to target Inaba personally.
The show addressed the controversy only briefly during the following Tuesday’s broadcast, primarily when Haley Reinhart’s partner, Keo Motsepe, had to step in for Chmerkovskiy on short notice. Judge Bruno Tonioli described the situation as “a really unusual situation” and praised the affected dancer for handling the circumstances professionally.
The incident has highlighted the growing influence of social media on the long-running series, which has recently expanded its digital engagement and casted social media-savvy celebrities to draw younger audiences. The Super Bowl-themed episode attracted approximately 6.6 million viewers, achieving the show’s highest ratings in nearly a decade among adults aged 18 to 49.
Industry observers note that the intensified scrutiny from online fans may be increasing pressure on dancers and judges alike. Some viewers have expressed concerns that dancers with prior professional experience, like Johnson and Shum, have an unfair advantage over other competitors. This environment may have contributed to heightened tensions among participants this season.
The public response has also drawn attention to issues of race and gender within the show's judging panel. Carrie Ann Inaba, the only female and person of color on the panel, has faced disproportionate criticism compared to her male counterparts. Content creators and viewers have urged for more respectful discourse and highlighted potential biases in fan reactions.
Inaba opted not to comment directly on the controversy during the most recent episode, instead focusing on the competition. She awarded a perfect score to one couple, maintaining her role as a central figure in the show’s ongoing narrative amid heightened public scrutiny.