Val Chmerkovskiy has stirred up the “Dancing With the Stars” fan base after making a cryptic social media reference that appeared to target a tense moment on the show.
The professional dancer shared the message one day after “DWTS” aired its first-ever “Super Bowl Night,” seemingly alluding to Will Smith’s infamous 2022 Oscars slap following judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s pointed criticism of Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson.
“You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” read the now-deleted TikTok status, according to a screenshot posted by a follower. The message appeared in the comments of a video Chmerkovskiy shared Wednesday featuring himself and his celebrity partner, “Step Up” actress Jenna Dewan.
“What do you mean by this?” the follower asked, adding a cringing-face emoji.
The comment drew immediate criticism. “Bro that joke ain’t it,” one person replied, while another wrote, “Sounds like a threat to me!!”
Another commenter interpreted the post as suggesting that Chmerkovskiy would “basically” hit Inaba.
By the time of publication, the comment containing Chmerkovskiy’s TikTok status appeared to have been deleted or removed.
Fans also debated the meaning of the post in a Reddit discussion, with many connecting it to the 2022 Oscars incident in which Smith slapped Chris Rock after the comedian joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, during the ceremony.
Smith was later barred from attending all Academy events for 10 years as a result of the outburst.
One Reddit user called Chmerkovskiy “disgusting” for the apparent remark, while another argued that “essentially threatening violence … should be a fireable offense.”
Chmerkovskiy also appeared to defend Johnson directly in the comments of a separate TikTok video, writing, “Puts some respect on her name. Shes trippin talking to her like that.”
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The video showed Johnson and her celebrity partner, “Glee” actor Harry Shum Jr., receiving feedback from the judges. Chmerkovskiy could be seen gesturing emphatically after Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli each awarded the pair an 8 for their samba performance to Usher’s “Yeah!”
He appeared to celebrate only after guest judge Joe Buck gave the couple a 9, bringing their combined score to 33 out of 40.
“I love how he defends his wife,” one viewer commented. Another added, “Val be like: that’s my wife don’t mess with her Carrie Ann.”
Representatives for ABC, Chmerkovskiy, Johnson and Inaba did not immediately respond to Page Six’s requests for comment Wednesday evening.
The controversy followed a heated exchange between Johnson and Inaba during Tuesday night’s episode, the latest installment of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 35.
Inaba said she “loved every minute” of Johnson and Shum Jr.’s routine, but told the “Grey’s Anatomy” actor that he needed to include “more content in [his] dances.”
“And there was a lift,” Inaba continued. Johnson quickly challenged the observation, asking, “A lift?”
“Yeah it was a lift,” Inaba replied before reading from a sheet of paper. She explained that a lift occurs when one dancer has both feet off the floor with the assistance or support of their partner, prompting the audience to fall silent.
Later, when Johnson and Shum Jr. went to the skybox to receive their scores, co-host Julianne Hough asked the professional dancer how she felt about Inaba’s critique.
“I totally understand. I thought it was if you lifted your partner,” Johnson said. “But I totally hear Carrie Ann. I will take it. Sure.”
“Dancing with the Stars” airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+.