Val Chmerkovskiy had words of encouragement for Alan Bersten before his replacement took the Dancing With the Stars floor. Hours ahead of the October 20 broadcast, he thanked Bersten for working with Jenna Dewan during his suspension.
“Thank you for stepping in and doing such an amazing job,” the 40-year-old wrote beneath Bersten’s Instagram photographs, according to PEOPLE. “Jenna looks so good and most importantly happy.”
Bersten, 32, had already left the competition with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis after their September 22 elimination. His return gave Dewan an experienced partner for a week that required a sudden adjustment.
When the broadcast began, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro acknowledged the change by telling viewers Chmerkovskiy was absent that week. He did not explain the disciplinary action, and the show moved into its scheduled Dedication Night performances.
Val Calls Alan His ‘New Favorite Follow’
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Bersten’s post showed him rehearsing in the ballroom with Dewan and included her mother, Nancy. In his caption, he described feeling honored to take part and praised the actress for bringing warmth to their work together. Chmerkovskiy ended his response with a wink: “You’re my new favorite follow.”
Emma Slater, Bersten’s girlfriend and a fellow DWTS dancer, had also answered questions about his eligibility to return after being eliminated. Responding to a blogger’s confusion about the substitution, she explained that the professionals regularly help one another: “We all step in for each other.”
Dewan’s Tribute to Her Mother Earns Her First 10
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Dewan shared her own rehearsal photographs before the episode, calling the experience “a truly timeless moment for my family.” She wrote about creating a memory with her mother that they could keep forever and thanked Bersten for his help.
The actress recalled her parents separating when she was a baby and the sacrifices her mother made to encourage her ambitions. Nancy joined the rehearsal process and appeared alongside her daughter during the live routine.
Dewan and Bersten danced a Viennese waltz to the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody.” Carrie Ann Inaba awarded Dewan her first 10 of the season, while Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and guest judge Kym Johnson each gave a nine, bringing their total to 37 out of 40.
That tied them for second place with Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, one point behind Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, according to ABC’s On the Red Carpet recap. Inaba praised the performance as a breakthrough, while Johnson said Dewan had exceeded the high expectations surrounding her participation.
The Suspension Followed Val’s ‘Fresh Prince’ Post
The one-week suspension followed an October 13 disagreement over a samba performed by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, Jenna Johnson, and Harry Shum Jr. Inaba questioned a lift involving troupe dancers, and Johnson challenged her interpretation of the rule.
The following day, Chmerkovskiy posted a TikTok reference to the Fresh Prince, invoking Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap of Chris Rock. He apologized publicly on October 15 and said he had also contacted Inaba directly.
BBC Studios announced its decision on October 17. In a statement published by TheWrap, the producer said his post was inappropriate and fell short of the show’s standards. Chmerkovskiy subsequently acknowledged that his attempt to defend his wife had drawn Inaba into his poor judgment.
Val Adds ‘Perfection’ After the Broadcast
Once the dance had aired, Chmerkovskiy offered a separate reaction. He commented “Perfection❤️” beneath the official show’s Instagram video of Dewan and Bersten’s performance, Parade reported.
The evening ended with another welcome development for the contestants. All 10 couples remained in the competition, with their scores and audience votes carrying into the following week. Chmerkovskiy responded to that announcement on Instagram Stories with “Thanks❤️.”
October 27’s Horror Movie Night will feature a double elimination. Chmerkovskiy is expected to return for that episode. The broadcast airs at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.