Jenna Dewan is preparing to take the "Dancing With the Stars" stage this week with a temporary partner, Alan Bersten, after her regular pro partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, was suspended. The change comes after Chmerkovskiy posted a message on TikTok that referenced a notable moment from the 2022 Academy Awards.
The "Rookie" actor confirmed her excitement for the upcoming "Dedication Night" performance in a video shared to the show’s Instagram Stories. Standing alongside Bersten during rehearsals, Dewan announced their routine: a Viennese waltz set to "Unchained Melody" by the Righteous Brothers, which she called "the greatest, most romantic song ever." She later shared on social media that she is dedicating the dance to her mother, describing her as her "biggest cheerleader." Dewan explained her mother "believed in me before I even knew what was possible for myself," and "encouraged my love of dance," making the dedication a "beautiful and full circle" moment.
Chmerkovskiy’s suspension stems from a since-deleted TikTok post that appeared to allude to Will Smith’s infamous slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars. The post reportedly followed judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critical review of a performance by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her partner, Harry Shum Jr., during a recent "Super Bowl Night" episode. Chmerkovskiy reportedly wrote, "You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night."
The show’s producers, BBC Studios, quickly addressed the issue with a public statement. They emphasized that "the well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable." The producers added that Chmerkovskiy’s "social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show." As a direct consequence, he will not participate in the next live show.
Following the producers' decision, Chmerkovskiy issued an apology. In a statement provided to Deadline, he explained that his remark was an "instinct" to "defend [his] wife," calling it a "poor decision to reference a meme" without fully considering its implications. He further expressed regret that Inaba "certainly didn’t deserve to get caught in the middle of my bad judgment." Chmerkovskiy also posted an apology to his Instagram Stories, confirming he had reached out to Inaba directly and wished to apologize publicly, acknowledging that his "words affect so many outside of our internal DWTS family."
Bersten, who steps in as Dewan's partner, had previously competed earlier in the season alongside celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis before their elimination.