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When a heated exchange on Dancing With the Stars spilled off the dance floor, former contestant Dylan Efron stepped in to defend judge Carrie Ann Inaba. His comments come amid fallout from an on-air dispute about a disputed lift and a one-week suspension for pro Val Chmerkovskiy.
Dylan Efron explains why Carrie Ann was doing her job
Efron, who finished fourth on season 34 alongside pro Daniella Karagach, told Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea that judges must call it as they see it. He argued that constant praise would be worse for the show than honest critique. “They’re up there to judge,” he said, defending Inaba’s frank feedback.
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He drew a comparison to other blunt TV judges, noting that tougher critiques are part of the format. Efron also emphasized that each judge brings a distinct focus to the panel.
- Bruno Tonioli: relishes theatrical performance and showmanship.
- Derek Hough: concentrates on clean lines and dance technique.
- Carrie Ann Inaba: zeroes in on the emotional truth of a routine.
According to Efron, Inaba’s strength is calling out feeling and intention. He praised her willingness to evaluate emotion even when it’s subjective. “It’s brave of her,” he said, adding that sometimes her read lands perfectly and sometimes it misses.
What sparked the ballroom dispute: the lift called illegal
The tension began during the Oct. 13 taping, when Inaba flagged an “illegal” lift in a samba performed by pro Jenna Johnson and celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. The judge’s comment led to a tense on-air exchange.
Backstage reactions were immediate. Reports say Johnson “broke down” after the confrontation. The next day, a social post from Val Chmerkovskiy referenced Will Smith’s Oscars moment in a way that drew criticism. Though Chmerkovskiy later deleted the post and apologized, producers imposed a one-week suspension.
Val received a one-week ban from the ballroom. During that absence, his partner Jenna Dewan danced with pro Alan Bersten for Dedication Night.
Apologies, reconciliations and on-set moments
Chmerkovskiy returned to the ballroom for Horror Movie Night and publicly apologized to Dewan for the disruption around his suspension. Cameras and crew also captured a brief hug between Val and Inaba during a commercial break.
Jenna Johnson later confirmed she and Inaba reconciled after Super Bowl Night. In a public comment, Inaba proposed tightening lift rules going forward to avoid similar controversies.
How the cast moved forward on-air
Despite the drama, the competition pressed on. Johnson and Shum Jr. delivered a contemporary routine to 2Wei’s cover of “Toxic.” Their performance earned the first perfect score of the season.
That perfect score underscored how a night can shift from controversy to celebration in the same episode.
Why the episode matters for DWTS rules and culture
The incident highlights two ongoing tensions on the series: safety and artistic risk. Producers and judges must balance creative choreography with the show’s technical rulebook.
After the dispute, calls surfaced for clearer guidance on lifts. Any rule change would affect choreography choices and how pros design routines.
- Safer lift protocols could reduce risky moves.
- Clearer judging criteria would limit post-performance disputes.
- Stronger backstage etiquette rules might curb impulsive social posts.
Where to watch and what’s next on Dancing With the Stars
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+. Producers and competitors will likely navigate the new season rules and judge expectations as the competition continues.
