# Val Chmerkovskiy Ousted From Next ‘DWTS’ Episode Amid Will Smith Oscars Slap Reference, Jenna Dewan to Dance With Alan Bersten

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-10-17 23:00 UTC · Category: Entertainment

## Executive Summary
Val Chmerkovskiy faces suspension from Dancing With the Stars following a controversial Will Smith Oscars slap reference.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent coverage from outlets including ABC News, ABC7 Los Angeles, Yahoo, Page Six, Us Weekly, IMDb, and People.com details a significant shakeup on the program Dancing With the Stars during Week 6. In the wake of this disciplinary action, Alan Bersten stepped in as a replacement partner for celebrity contestant Jenna Dewan. Coverage indicates that Dewan and Bersten ultimately delivered a breakthrough routine during the program's dedication night. Media reports heavily emphasize the fallout from the social media controversy and subsequent lineup adjustments. Yahoo, Page Six, and Us Weekly have closely tracked the developments, noting that Chmerkovskiy's post was widely categorized as a violent joke that ultimately backfired.


Outlets also documented Chmerkovskiy playing what is described as the protective husband card in response to the backlash. Concurrently, coverage pivots to Jenna Dewan, highlighting her emotional tributes to her mother, Nancy Bursch, alongside background details concerning her parents, Darryll Dewan and Nancy Smith, ahead of the dedicated dance episode. The context surrounding this trending topic involves the strict social media scrutiny faced by public figures in reality television competitions. When off-screen commentary intersects with judging panels and production staff, networks frequently take swift disciplinary action to manage public relations. The suspension of a veteran professional dancer like Chmerkovskiy directly impacts the competitive dynamics of the season, forcing last-minute choreographic partnerships and drawing heightened viewer attention to the remaining cast members as production navigates the fallout from the digital controversy.


Future reports will likely track the permanent status of Val Chmerkovskiy on the program following subsequent reporting that his suspension was reportedly lifted. Coverage does not yet specify the full long-term ramifications for the dancer's career or whether he will return to his standard role in upcoming episodes. Observers and fans following updates across Yahoo and ABC News will monitor how production addresses the controversy moving forward and whether additional statements will be issued by the network, the judges, or the dancers involved in the Week 6 lineup changes.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Yahoo | ‘DWTS’ Reportedly Lifts Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension After Explosive Carrie Ann Inaba Controversy | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxPQXVCTHhjVnFuQWFqN1JNaFZNd2JSYWJBTHktUndJMXFXOGctTklZdlhPaWhfQ2pxdm1lNXdNME0yUUY5QzhuUlJ0a2dmMndMd2h3X0xURVFfWU9VdGU1dFVjdXBuWUhrZ3l6VDRmQWkwbVRSNURvcWdJQ3c4aWZvUUZCMG4wQzFSV0FIZE9Nczd1Wk9LdDk5eExMLThuSzR3NERZ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Val Chmerkovskiy Reacts to Alan Bersten's Dance with Jenna Dewan After His Suspension | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxPY004NjAteXI3QkRuYVJiWlRHLUVhamhDeldwMGZhMlpVSHJ0c1NDdXJJQUNYWTJmMEdEbXk2UHFMSVkwZVpVUm00VHh2M1R1TS10LTBCdlZsTTNxbDZqQV9zWF95RGlRREtaQmVpUmJNWEgwekNIalJVb2JHS08tTEk5Z2tISExWaUd5SVhKeVVEWi0tejZnM1hLbzlOSWM5c1E?oc=5) |
| ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | Alan Bersten replaces Val Chmerkovskiy on 'DWTS' Week 6 | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxObUk5cDc4TkVlTUUtOXFkQzBCZ0poMWVJUk1XRXktUXRfWDJ2WHEyQXd3YzNETHdYZXZGQ3BGNjR4S1BtaXNHaXp1UUx3alBEanNXWXVndkhaMTFpOU1yaU5lMndEcVRUaUJYOFlQMXVzTnFVUnNaY3lKTEhrOXZLYkowaVY2bDY0YjhaZ3VhMU00eDlTbS10d190bUhfaHZONTdB0gGoAUFVX3lxTE9xWnBPeEJQOE9jY2hvYU5EelhtM1V0SG9fcWx4eThEaFprWi1fTTFJcmhVblNWc3FaSlFFaGo5dFVFVmZBZVdLek9abUpjVmpsRjY5QV9LTDFjWlQ0WTJYMnhnQTJCZW9aSkljUVdYYTFmSkJrTVl5dEZzVU9EbFhUMWprb0ZOTnVKRDRmZFBMZ3pqNnRKMmx3NXE4OEVCM3ZmekRBTlc1LQ?oc=5) |
| IMDb | Get to Know Jenna Dewan’s Mom Nancy Bursch: All About Her Family | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZkFVX3lxTE1Va0ZtSk4tTjM0dmR5eDJfdlZnbWNURURyRDgzSnlwUThxT1hQRno3RWtraWx2SlRhTy1ETmhqMlVlaWVqU1NYRFl3eFotMjZuSDhCX2xQVUFiMWNOWGJNdnYxNEZ5UQ?oc=5) |
| Us Weekly | Jenna Dewan Shares Touching Tribute to Mom Ahead of ‘DWTS’ Dedication Night: ‘Biggest Cheerleader’ | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNcFFPOXhFaG9OUGhLVHB6VDBLbEFkaFNvYnVnQ0hValNlZHJwejF0bXh6cEI2aXFac3FKRjhVaHhGRGlPdlJBRWI3M2xmbUpTa0ZFRWRtcnNjWGdLbGZ1WFJBMHJuVUdiWDRFeDBZdGpUSXo3cXI3R2lFN1RnMXdmR1kxLUhGczBzRHZGdzlHa2Y5MDJwVWVTRHV3M3lBTVAwSjZCSHZ4UQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Jenna Dewan has fans seeing double over photos with stunning mom in emotional tribute | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxNU18tanpOUUJtdGJfNFRBQmFfaWVuVzdjbnRQZW01WUlMTHNGdXdEcmhpTkJUYUcxN2dIdGx6OV80SzJWZ1Nabjl4X191MXZBN2FMZVdCa1M3QWpSaV92Y29zaVdrdnBaSU1iWEQzREJrZDY3eFQtdE1lMTZhZThSd2JQUjUtdENPM25HV3JaejE5NW9pSFdkVHR1bmhBQWpfTXc?oc=5) |
| People.com | Meet Jenna Dewan’s Parents, Darryll Dewan and Nancy Smith | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiaEFVX3lxTFBPakdxUWhtRGdDX2RrN0dJOGpCVGVlYW5oZDhGbVRCMGRGZ2tsNHV3OWZlRWJoVVFmVjdCZnhGbTFHbklCS3N0T3FkY2l4MFFDMnFoaE9EYW5tWmRMaURpMzdpdHZHbngt?oc=5) |
| Page Six | Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten deliver ‘breakthrough’ dance amid Val Chmerkovskiy’s ‘DWTS’ suspension | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxPdlpCSm9PZTkyNlJnMU84T2swOU4wWUpCUElPT1Q3U0RyVnRiRTNzQ1k5dTdKZHZnTWFaQzJCUFg3TTY5MG1EQ2t4Q0gzRk5Gb3E4S0pISjZuenE1a3I2NXFXcE1Ia2pOYmFDRTRVUlViX2J2TllzLVk5ZXhOVXBSOFV0bEpkZVh5ekdkWnpnUXNZajJxQWw3M0lzTWlUVHBMbU1saTU1SHZuWW90akxfd3FyMA?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | DWTS’ Val Chmerkovskiy Plays the Protective Husband Card After Violent Joke Backfires | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNSTg3VWJKVTEwdWFjeEwwX1VRdHBENVJodUhhVF9tMTVPUU03bl9mZS02Yk5jNDRzZHVjZDVhMXBEYll1MV9PTGxaOG9WS3d4cFZJeHJ2eGJhcWRLZk84VFNWZ2Z5UlEycnFYNXIzOEdVbklneV9EVm5vY0taMUlJNEdwNGNYS2ZTaGUtb0ZkMGtWeXZNQzJKMjRvbUFxSU9nN0Fxa1lzaFZJa2pu?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Jenna Dewan Teases Upcoming DWTS Routine With Alan Bersten Amid Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxQZHEyVkJ1Q0F5U1RjN2Ewa0d5bFJ1dm1fUmota29MbWVIbEZKdjFyV3BkSjZFN3p3T011NnhrRU1iZkxZQ3dzaWZHU0lDb0NPQ3JWY2xLVXVqZ1JmOHo1U29UaHhjVnVNckk1QjR4SW1oeUdJNDg1WFpOamJCanRXdmpyOXZROEhVMC00eExtV1h6RUFfLVplcDZkdw?oc=5) |
| People.com | Jenna Dewan Teases Upcoming DWTS Routine with Alan Bersten as He Steps in amid Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxQdndWU1dWdnRRemEydDJmU2hxdlU2YlpzZHAwd1lSaDcxUTlVWUJrUVNvMWdBQ3YwaUs1NWE3emhuTm5hekJmTVZTU1BjUGFkdjE3U3RrdFM1RDZmdFdid3dPTVIxa3dUQXhRVUZpZGYydVNmUEU2Z1AxS3VaRld4R1hvMUNMRjRSZUN0QnBmNnlqM3dDbDlrSm1LUXJBaFEyX1hILVpwRUZyYzRIV2tMcA?oc=5) |
| ABC7 Los Angeles | 'DWTS' news: 'Dancing With The Stars' dancer Val Chmerkovskiy benched after 'inappropriate' social media post | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxPYVk0Sm1IRjJ0XzNqb2lRdUZoLTFLN3lPQnVyWkw1QUZKSEJsNHBFSlFkOXhOU0hSV2xOTzF3bW1FSkEzazdLOVNMUTdNeVBXcWt4Y3FFSWJyWWhwTC1KWUpfazl0SDlsRzktTUltTGVyVmVJWW5UVjhiRHhVRnlBZXEtUXFybjlwazVtYnFKSlQ2bW1YZ0NnN2QxVXVBVEowaUNEb0FOaHRIYjlWTHBwaF84SzZwbUFYTkNR0gHAAUFVX3lxTFA0RDlVR1gxOWkxZ0xmc2k4cjNXM21EYTVFc2FSaHNJaFZNODJxb3VHN3BURVJyTmdqdG1yQWtkOUZKLTNsNVl6THd0TGZVc1hDSUlQSU9IUUtTRlV5TExBcWRHcmgwZDZyb0drdEZiTVpBR2JVaUtLU3BveExyeUo5OFVqM1FKamFDU1BkQlhDRFp3alRFc3B) |
| Yahoo | Dancing With The Stars Suspends Val Chmerkovskiy After 'Inappropriate' Social Media Post About Carrie Ann Inaba | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipAFBVV95cUxQdWpRdVhoRGI0SFF1UWFweFJJLUxfZ0hVYWlEb2FZN3hUbXg3aHJSNVZkVnN6aDZGdTA5RTFYeWRoN1htUUpPcms0YXNHWTI0RGpmcFpCUnRLQ2VuSFBWdjY4elBrOFhkX2VNZ095bUExQzlHYmFpRm1vNlJqb19QdHIxNVV5bVJhN3BjelBJTDF4TnlHTHZrT05GRXUtX2t6YlZHTQ?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Val Chmerkovskiy suspended from Dancing With the Stars | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxQVkZjNnNtQjBuUUtrYjhnVF9najIyYWpiX0t3aDJOb0I4SUpoMFV6ZlJQS0N2NjlZXzltYkVNS0d5d05UczdpbjJMcEFVOE5wUXcwR0hGbUdabTdKcmF4ZU5aVU1kejhDVG9HMlpqQ25uaFpxWWdLNkIteFBhQ0xhSE1QV3V4TkhuQkpOVE5SeG9Vd2hGcUFCNzZJX3I5Mzl1TFU1TTZR?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoaiapps.com/trend/2026-10-17/val-chmerkovskiy-ousted-from-next-dwts-episode-amid-will-smith-oscars-slap*