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⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
Val Chmerkovskiy just got suspended for a messy TikTok post, leaving Jenna Dewan to dance with a new pro! Luckily, her fiancé Steve Kazee is stepping up with the sweetest hype to keep her spirits high.
The drama surrounding Dancing With the Stars just took an unexpectedly emotional turn, and Jenna Dewan’s fiancé is stepping up to hold it down. As the actress prepares to hit the ballroom floor without her usual pro partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, following his sudden suspension, Steve Kazee made sure she knows he’s her biggest fan. He’s showing up for her while things get super messy behind the scenes.
A Supportive Message From Steve
On October 18, Tony winner Steve Kazee took to his Instagram Stories to shower Dewan with love. He shared a photo of her looking stunning in her red and black paso doble costume from last week, adding a caption that was basically a total tear-jerker. “Everytime I think I can’t love you more, your grace, your class, and your heart prove me wrong,” Kazee wrote, before cheering her on by saying, “You got this baby! We got you.” The couple shares two children, Callum, 6, and Rhiannon, 2.
💫 “Everytime I think I can’t love you more, your grace, your class, and your heart prove me wrong,”
The Reason For The Suspension
So, what actually happened? BBC Studios announced on October 17 that Chmerkovskiy would be suspended for one episode after some controversial social media activity. It all started when judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued Jenna Johnson’s samba routine—specifically regarding a “lift”—which led to a tense exchange where Inaba even grabbed a piece of paper from the judges’ table to read the definition of a lift to a shocked Johnson. Chmerkovskiy apparently reacted by changing his TikTok status to reference Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap, a move he later deleted. While he apologized, the production company stated that Val’s post was inappropriate and didn’t meet their standards. Chmerkovskiy explained on Instagram that while he wanted to defend his wife, he made a poor decision by using a meme without thinking about the implications.
Because of the suspension, Dewan will have to pivot for the upcoming Dedication Night episode on October 20. She’ll be dancing with pro Alan Bersten instead of Chmerkovskiy, performing a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” as she honors her mother. Even though things are complicated right now, Chmerkovskiy said he’d be watching and cheering everyone on from home. All eyes are on the dance floor next week.
Are you team Val or do you think the suspension was deserved?
❓ People Also Ask
Why was Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from Dancing With the Stars?
Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one episode due to controversial social media activity following a tense moment on the show. After judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued a lift during a routine, Chmerkovskiy changed his TikTok status to reference the 2022 Oscars slap involving Will Smith. Although he later deleted the post and apologized for his poor decision, BBC Studios determined that the meme was inappropriate and failed to meet the production company's professional standards.
Who is Jenna Dewan's partner for the upcoming Dedication Night episode?
Jenna Dewan will be dancing with professional dancer Alan Bersten for the Dedication Night episode on October 20. This change comes as a pivot because her usual pro partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, is currently serving a one-episode suspension. During this special performance, Dewan plans to dance a Viennese waltz to the song Unchained Melody as a way to honor her mother while Chmerkovskiy watches from home.
How did Steve Kazee support Jenna Dewan during the controversy?
Steve Kazee supported Jenna Dewan by posting a heartfelt and emotional message to her on his Instagram Stories. He shared a photo of her wearing a red and black paso doble costume and praised her grace, class, and heart in the caption. By telling her that he is her biggest fan and that she has his full support, Kazee provided emotional encouragement while Dewan navigates the recent professional drama surrounding her dance partner.
What caused the tension between the judges and the dancers on the show?
The tension began when judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued a specific lift during Jenna Johnson's samba routine. The situation escalated when Inaba grabbed a piece of paper from the judges' table to read the literal definition of a lift to a shocked Johnson. This interaction served as the catalyst for the subsequent social media controversy involving Val Chmerkovskiy, which eventually led to his temporary suspension from the ballroom competition.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: E! News