For the first time in its 20-year history, ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” has suspended one of its professional dancers following a social media controversy. Val Chmerkovskiy, a longtime pro on the show currently paired with actress Jenna Dewan, was suspended for one episode after posting a message on social media that was perceived as hostile toward one of the program’s judges.

The suspension took effect this week, leaving Dewan without her regular dance partner for the episode aired Tuesday night. To maintain the competition’s continuity, professional dancer Alan Bersten stepped in as her partner for the performance. Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro confirmed the substitution at the start of the show but did not provide further details on the situation.

The incident marks an unprecedented move for the series, which has historically maintained its roster of professional dancers despite occasional controversies involving contestants and judges. The exact content of Chmerkovskiy’s post has not been publicly disclosed, but the show’s decision signals a firm stance on conduct that potentially undermines the integrity of its judging panel.

Producers have not commented beyond the suspension, and it remains unclear whether Chmerkovskiy will return to the competition in subsequent episodes. The show continues to air with participating celebrities and pros, adhering to its established format despite the disruption.

This development highlights the increasing scrutiny social media posts can attract, especially when involving public figures connected to popular television programs. It also underscores the evolving standards and expectations for professional conduct on reality competition shows.