The Dancing With the Stars drama has officially cooled off. Val Chmerkovskiy returned to the show Tuesday after his one-week suspension and had what he described as a“cathartic”conversation with judge Carrie Ann Inaba at the judges’table, complete with a hug in front of the live audience. The two held hands and made it clear the feud is done.“We are coworkers and we are completely cordial,”Inaba said.
The tension started during“Super Bowl Night”when Inaba critiqued a lift by Val’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and her partner Harry Shum Jr. Val posted a since-deleted TikTok referencing Will Smith’s Oscars slap, apologized, and sat out“Dedication Night”while Jenna Dewan danced with Alan Bersten. Inaba says she and Johnson have already“hugged it out”and that Johnson is welcome to talk with her anytime.
Now Inaba is proposing a formal lift rule for next season, which might just prevent the next round of social media fireworks. It’s a neat bow on a messy situation, and the ballroom is back to peace, at least for now. Do you think DWTS should officially add a lift rule, or should the show keep things loose?
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Local Lawton
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