apparently Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba ready to forgive and forget the drama involving the professional dancer Val Chmerkovsky.
In a tender behind-the-scenes moment captured at Horror Movie Night on Tuesday, October 27, Inaba, 58, was seen grabbing Chmerkovskiy, 40, by the shoulders and wrapping both hands around her waist. Video footage shared on Instagram after the series aired also shows the couple talking slowly and nodding before hugging each other.
The moment comes as Chmerkovskiy returns to the reality TV dance competition following a week-long suspension for posting controversial social media comments towards Inaba. (Chmerkovskiy had referenced Will SmithHis famous slap while defending his wife at the 2022 Oscars. Jenna JohnsonAfter receiving criticism from Inaba in the ballroom.)
According to a report prepared by People On Tuesday night, Inaba acknowledged that the moment had attracted attention, turning to the crowd and saying: “So everyone’s looking. We’re co-workers and we’re totally sincere. We’re good, okay?”
The publication also revealed that Chmerkovskiy was glad to share this moment with Inaba. “I felt a cathartic relief, you know?” he said during an interview after the duo reunited. “I think it was really important for me to make sure he felt safe and knew firsthand that I wanted nothing but love for him.”
He continued, “I want nothing but joy for her, and even though the world says otherwise, I want her to know how I feel, how I truly feel, not how others want me to feel. I will have nothing but love for Carrie Ann. I will have nothing but respect for what she has to say.”
Carrie Ann Inaba
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty ImagesInaba took to Instagram this week to let everyone know that he had also patched things up with Johnson, 32, after tensions arose on Super Bowl Night, October 13, when Inaba made an illegal lift call with his partner in Johnson’s samba. Harry Shum Jr.
“I haven’t talked about what happened out of professional courtesy to those still competing, and we actually have standards and practices that set us apart. But I think part of that ‘headline’ misses a few important parts of what happened,” Inaba wrote in the comments section of an Instagram post featuring photos from season 35’s Dedication Night. “I think it’s important for everyone to know that Jenna and I hugged each other after the Super Bowl performance. Jenna was a total pro about it, and the two women worked through that moment.”
Val Chmerkovsky
Ian Maule/Getty ImagesWhile it may seem like the series has wrapped up for good, Tuesday’s Horror Movie Night provided plenty to entertain DWTS fans. Shock double elimination saw Taylor Cameron And Sharna Burgesstogether Jackson Olson And Emma Slater Say goodbye to the ballroom.