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‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pulls Val Chmerkovskiy After ‘Inappropriate’ Carrie Ann Inaba Slap Joke: ‘The Well-Being’ of Our Staff Is ‘Non-Negotiable’
EntertainmentVarietyOctober 17, 2026

‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pulls Val Chmerkovskiy After ‘Inappropriate’ Carrie Ann Inaba Slap Joke: ‘The Well-Being’ of Our Staff Is ‘Non-Negotiable’

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Why It Matters

This incident highlights the increasing scrutiny of public figures' social media conduct and the entertainment industry's evolving standards regarding workplace safety and respect. It reinforces that even jokes, if perceived as threatening or inappropriate, can lead to professional consequences, emphasizing accountability for online behavior within public-facing roles.

Key Takeaways

  • Val Chmerkovskiy benched from 'Dancing With the Stars'.
  • Decision followed "inappropriate" Carrie Ann Inaba joke.
  • Show cites staff well-being as "non-negotiable."

Full Analysis

A professional dancer from the TV show 'Dancing With the Stars,' Val Chmerkovskiy, made a joke online about slapping one of the judges, Carrie Ann Inaba. The show's producers found this joke unacceptable and have removed him from participating for now. They are making it clear that everyone working on the show must feel safe and respected, and his joke went against their rules for appropriate behavior.

Dancing With the StarsVal ChmerkovskiyCarrie Ann InabaSocial Media ConductWorkplace Standards

“Dancing With the Stars” is benching Val Chmerkovskiy after his recent joke about judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “The well-being of everyone who works on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show,” BBC Studios said in […]

Read full article on Variety