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The tension that gripped Dancing With the Stars earlier this month appeared to ease on Tuesday, when judge Carrie Ann Inaba and pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy shared a warm, behind-the-scenes moment after the show’s Horror Movie Night. Cameras captured a brief exchange and an embrace that suggested the two were moving past a recent public feud.
Reunion captured after Horror Movie Night on DWTS
Footage shared on social media after the episode showed 58-year-old Carrie Ann Inaba and 40-year-old Val Chmerkovskiy standing close, speaking quietly, and then hugging. The interaction happened on October 27, following the live broadcast of the themed episode.
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Contestants and crew nearby noticed the moment, and Inaba addressed the attention, telling the audience that their exchange was friendly and professional. The short scene reassured fans that the two were on cordial terms.
What sparked the suspension and headlines
The reunion came after Chmerkovskiy missed one week of the show. Producers suspended him over inflammatory social posts he made in defense of his wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson, after a critique from Inaba.
His online comments referenced a high-profile 2022 incident and drew backlash. The network temporarily removed him from the live panel while the situation was reviewed.
Val’s response: relief and reconciliation
After returning to the set, Chmerkovskiy reflected on the moment with Inaba. He said the face-to-face exchange brought him a sense of relief and allowed him to communicate his true feelings directly.
He made clear that he wants Inaba to understand he holds no ill will. He emphasized respect and affection and said he hoped to make her feel safe and valued.
Carrie Ann and Jenna Johnson smoothed things over privately
Earlier in the season, tensions flared after a performance during Super Bowl Night. Inaba raised concerns about an illegal lift in Jenna Johnson’s samba with partner Harry Shum Jr., which generated public debate.
Inaba later used Instagram to say she and Johnson had resolved the matter away from the cameras. She framed the exchange as professional and respectful, noting the two women embraced and worked through the disagreement.
Key moments in the timeline
- October 13: Inaba critiques a lift performed by Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr.
- Following the critique: Chmerkovskiy posts defensive comments online about his wife.
- Network action: Chmerkovskiy is suspended for one week from the judging panel.
- October 27: Chmerkovskiy returns; Inaba and Chmerkovskiy share a reconciliatory moment backstage.
Horror Movie Night also brought shocking eliminations
Beyond the reconciliation, the evening’s competitive results shook up the ballroom. Judges and viewers experienced a surprise double elimination.
- Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess were sent home.
- Jackson Olson and Emma Slater also exited the competition.
The departures left several fan favorites still in the running and added drama to the season’s unfolding leaderboard.
How fans and media reacted online
Clips of the hug spread quickly across platforms. Viewers debated whether the moment signaled a full resolution or a professional courtesy. Media reports highlighted both the backstage thaw and the events that led up to it.
Many commentators focused on the network’s handling of the controversy and how public figures navigate disagreements in the social media age.
