Former Dancing With the Stars professional Gleb Savchenko is weighing in on the ballroom controversy surrounding Val Chmerkovskiy, declaring himself firmly "Team Val" following his colleague's recent suspension.
The tension began during the October 13 episode when judge Carrie Ann Inaba called out an alleged illegal lift during a samba routine performed by Jenna Johnson and her celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. The moment escalated when Chmerkovskiy—Johnson's husband—subsequently posted a social media status referencing the 2022 Oscars slap, prompting show producers to issue a week-long suspension for inappropriate language.
In an October 18 TikTok video, Savchenko defended Chmerkovskiy and argued that the choreography did not feature an actual lift, dismissing the controversy as unnecessary. While acknowledging the routine's unconventional style, Savchenko criticized Inaba's call, pointing to her history of closely scrutinizing lifts on the program.
With Chmerkovskiy sidelined for the upcoming episode, fellow pro Alan Bersten is set to step in alongside Johnson. Meanwhile, support for the competitors has poured in from multiple fronts, including a public message of encouragement from Johnson's fiancé, Steve Kazee.
Dancing With the Stars season 35 continues to feature a diverse roster of celebrity contestants and professional dancers navigating the competition.