Val Chmerkovskiy is expected to remain a central figure in the upcoming Dancing with the Stars live tour, despite the controversy that recently led to his one-week suspension from the ABC competition.
The 40-year-old professional dancer’s future on the touring production had become a major question among fans following his controversial social media comment about longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 58. However, a source has told The U.S. Sun that Val is expected to keep his place on the tour, which begins in January 2027.
“He will absolutely be part of the DWTS tour given the rest of the season goes smoothly,” the insider said.
“He isn’t going anywhere and will not be pulled over his Carrie Ann comment.”
The source also suggested that Val and his wife, fellow professional dancer Jenna Johnson, 32, will feature prominently in the tour’s promotional campaign.
“A lot of the promo and photography for the tour is centered around Val and Jenna,” the insider explained. “They are the faces of the tour and a big draw for fans so producers will put them front and center.”
When Does the DWTS Live Tour Begin?
The Dancing with the Stars live tour brings the television competition’s elaborate choreography, ballroom routines and theatrical performances to audiences across North America.
The 2027 tour is scheduled to open on January 21 in Manchester, New Hampshire, before traveling through the United States and Canada. The production is set to conclude on April 11 in Duluth, Georgia.
Alongside Val and Jenna, the announced professional dancer lineup includes Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Rylee Arnold, Hailey Bills, Sharna Burgess, Ezra Sosa, Britt Stewart and Adele Zaikman.
Emma Slater is scheduled to return as co-host, while Sharna Burgess is expected to appear on selected dates in February and March.
The tour will also feature troupe dancers Kamri Peterson, Onye Stevenson, Jaxon Willard and Carter Williams. Organizers have noted that the lineup and schedule may change, and additional celebrity appearances could be announced separately.
Val’s anticipated participation would give him another opportunity to perform for fans outside the weekly television competition, even as the fallout from his recent dispute with Carrie Ann continues to draw attention.
What Led to Val’s Suspension?
The controversy began during the October 13 episode of Dancing with the Stars, when Carrie Ann criticized a samba performed by Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner, Harry Shum Jr.
During her assessment, the judge objected to a lift in the routine and consulted the rule book, reading out the definition of a lift to explain her criticism. Jenna appeared confused by the comment because the lift in question had been performed by background dancers rather than by the couple themselves.
Val subsequently took to TikTok to defend his wife, writing: “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”
The remark appeared to reference the infamous 2022 Academy Awards incident in which Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The comparison triggered a backlash, with viewers questioning why Val had invoked an incident of physical aggression in response to a judge’s professional criticism.
Carrie Ann reportedly felt “threatened” by the comment and raised her concerns with show officials, who investigated the incident.
Val later issued a public apology, acknowledging that his judgment had been poor. He was subsequently suspended for one week.
Val’s Return to the Ballroom
Val’s suspension left celebrity contestant Jenna Dewan without her regular professional partner for Dedication Night. Previously eliminated dancer Alan Bersten stepped in, allowing Jenna to continue competing.
The temporary pairing went on to perform a Viennese Waltz during the episode, while Val remained absent from the ballroom.
However, his suspension was always expected to be temporary. As previously reported by The U.S. Sun, the dancer is scheduled to return for the Halloween-themed episode on October 27.
His expected return to the competition, combined with the latest report about his place on the live tour, suggests that the controversy has not resulted in his removal from either production.
For fans who were concerned that the dispute might affect his touring commitments, the latest report offers reassurance: Val is expected to remain part of the 2027 lineup, provided the remainder of the current season proceeds smoothly.