Carrie Ann Inaba Calls for 'New Lift Rule' Following DWTS Controversy and Val Chmerkovskiy's Suspension

Addressing the Conflict

Following a period of intense public discourse surrounding *Dancing With the Stars*, judge Carrie Ann Inaba has broken her silence regarding the incident that led to the temporary suspension of professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy. The tension originated during the October 20 broadcast, when Inaba deducted points from a performance featuring Jenna Johnson due to a lift violation. The critique sparked a direct confrontation, eventually leading to a controversial social media post by Chmerkovskiy, which was widely interpreted as a reference to the 2022 Oscars slap incident.

The Fallout and Resolution

In the wake of the broadcast, BBC Studios issued a statement confirming that Chmerkovskiy would be sidelined for the following week’s competition. The network emphasized that the "well-being of everyone who works on *Dancing with the Stars* is non-negotiable." Chmerkovskiy subsequently apologized, admitting that his social media post was a "poor decision" made in an attempt to defend his wife, Jenna Johnson. Inaba has since clarified that she and Johnson moved past the disagreement, stating that they "hugged it out" and maintained professional communication regarding the interpretation of technical rules.

Proposing Reform

Moving forward, Inaba is advocating for a formal modernization of the show’s technical guidelines. She has requested that production implement a "new lift rule" for the upcoming season, suggesting that a collaborative meeting between judges, producers, and dancers is necessary. According to Inaba, the goal is to align on the history and purpose of the current regulations—which were originally designed to prioritize safety and fairness—while acknowledging that the show and its audience have evolved.

Verification for Viewers

Readers can verify these developments through the official coverage provided by Variety. While the competition continues, the call for updated judging standards remains a key topic of interest for the show’s production team and dedicated fanbase. Official updates and statements regarding the show’s rules are typically disseminated through the network's official channels.

Source: https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/carrie-ann-inaba-val-chmerkovskiy-dwts-suspension-new-lift-rule-1236916784/