Carrie Ann Inaba Addresses DWTS Controversy and Prepares for Halloween Night

Carrie Ann Inaba is ready to move on. On Saturday, October 24, the longtime Dancing with the Stars judge posted a new statement, subtly addressing a tumultuous week that included DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy‘s one-week suspension for an online comment about the way Inaba critiqued his wife, fellow pro Jenna Johnson, on the show.

On Dedication Night, Chmerkovskiy didn’t get to perform with his celebrity partner, actress Jenna Dewan. But he called the tribute to her mom, which she performed with pro Alan Bersten, “perfection.” The night was full of emotional performances with no eliminations, and fans captured a touching video of Johnson and Inaba embracing after the show.

On October 24, Inaba posted multiple photos from Dedication Night, including one of the aforementioned hug, and wrote, “A special thanks to all of you for creating a night of poignant and emotional self expression, storytelling and artistry in motion. It was a night of much needed emotional catharsis, and a reminder of the complicated and resilient nature of the journey of being human.”

Inaba thanked guest judge and former DWTS pro Kym Johnson, writing, “you are always wonderful,” and concluded with, “Looking forward to Halloween night! 🎃 👻 #dwts35 🤍”

Johnson quickly hopped into the comment section on Instagram with three emojis “💕✨👯‍♀️” and hundreds of fans liked it.

Fans flocked to the comment section, too, with most expressing relief for the reset, including one who wrote, “Feels like therapy night with friends,” and another who commented, “our vulnerability gave everyone permission to feel their own stuff.”

“There’s something brave about letting people see the messy middle of being human,” someone else noted.

Chmerkovskiy returns to the show on October 27 for Horror Movie Night, when two season 35 duos will be sent home. He and Dewan are preparing an Argentine Tango inspired by the movie 28 Days Later. Dancing with the Stars airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.

This story was originally published by Parade on Oct 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.