Maksim “Maks” Chmerkovskiy believes it is time for Dancing With the Stars fans to move on from the controversy surrounding his younger brother, Val Chmerkovskiy, who was suspended for one episode after making a heated remark about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
Speaking at the 2026 Dancers Against Cancer’s Gala of the Stars in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 22, Maks praised fellow professional dancer Alan Bersten for stepping in during Val’s absence and suggested the show could now put the dispute behind it.
“I mean, Alan stepped in for me at some point as well, so I’m very familiar with Alan stepping in,” Maks told Us Weekly. “He did a great job. I think everybody can move on.”
Val was absent from the latest episode after the show’s producers disciplined him over a social media comment that referenced the infamous 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock.
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(L) Maks Chmerkovskiy; (R) Val Chmerkovskiy.Credit:
Victoria Sirakova/Getty; Ian Maule/Getty
How Val’s Dispute With Carrie Ann Inaba Began
The controversy started after Inaba criticised a samba performed by Val’s wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr.
During the show’s “Super Bowl Night” episode, the pair danced to Usher’s “Yeah!” featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris. Inaba said Johnson needed to “put more content” into the routine and also called out what she considered an illegal lift.
Val disagreed with the judge’s assessment and took to social media to defend his wife.
In the comments section of a TikTok video showing Johnson and Shum receiving their scores, he wrote: “Puts some respect on her name. Shes trippin talking to her like that.”
He subsequently posted another message on his TikTok story that quickly attracted attention.
“You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” Val wrote, according to People.
The remark was widely interpreted as a reference to Smith’s confrontation with Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. During the ceremony, Smith slapped the comedian after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, before shouting, “Get my wife’s name out of your f— ing mouth.”
Inaba took issue with Val’s apparent reference to the incident and questioned his decision in a now-deleted social media post.
“So this is what we are doing now?” she wrote.
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Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Dewan on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.
ABC
Val Apologises, but ABC and BBC Studios Suspend Him
As the controversy spread, Val apologised to Inaba and acknowledged that his words had been inappropriate.
In his statement, he explained that he had spoken with the judge and come to understand the wider impact of his social media activity.
“I understand my words affect so many outside of our internal DWTS family,” he said. “I should have never made the reference that I did and I deeply regret it.”
Despite the apology, ABC and BBC Studios decided to suspend him from the sixth week of the competition, which featured “Dedication Night.”
In announcing the decision, the production companies stressed that the well-being of everyone involved in the programme was non-negotiable.
“Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show,” their statement said.
The suspension prompted debate among viewers, with some questioning whether the punishment was appropriate and others criticising how the programme handled the situation.
For the episode, Bersten stepped in to partner Johnson’s celebrity contestant, Jenna Dewan, the actress known for her work in film and television.
Alan Bersten Steps In for an Emotional Performance
Bersten and Dewan performed a Viennese waltz to The Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” with Dewan’s mother, Nancy, joining them for the performance.
The routine earned the pair 37 out of 40 points, including their first perfect 10 from Inaba.
Speaking to Good Morning America about the unexpected change, Dewan said she had learned to adapt when circumstances did not go according to plan.
“I learned this early on in life, but also especially in our business, that the show must go on,” she said.
“Sometimes unexpected things happen and you have to pivot, and then your job is to make the best of that. Your mental game is what you’re in control of and I walked in and Alan was just… he really stepped up.”
Bersten also explained that he remained in contact with Val throughout rehearsals, ensuring that the transition went smoothly.
“Obviously, Jenna is Val’s partner and so we were in communication,” he told GMA.
“He was like, ‘Change whatever you want, do whatever you want, just enjoy.’ So we had a lot of back-and-forth.”
The comments indicated that, despite the controversy, the dancers were able to coordinate their efforts to prepare the replacement routine.
Val Returns as the Show Prepares for Horror Movie Night
Although Val was unable to compete on “Dedication Night,” he watched the performance from home and later returned to the set as preparations began for the following week.
He was seen back on set on Wednesday, October 21, as the cast prepared for “Horror Movie Night.”
Val and Dewan are scheduled to perform an Argentine tango to “Uninvited” by Damned Anthem and Kendra Dantes.
Meanwhile, Maks’ latest comments suggest that he believes the programme should now focus on the competition rather than allowing the controversy to continue dominating the conversation.
By praising Bersten’s performance and expressing confidence that everyone can move forward, Maks appeared to signal that, in his view, the immediate dispute should be put to rest.
New episodes of Dancing With the Stars season 35 air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.