# Carrie Ann Inaba and Val Chmerkovskiy Still Tense

> Val Chmerkovskiy's 'Oscar Slap' joke led to Carrie Ann Inaba refusing his apology, risking DWTS suspension.
- Title: Carrie Ann Inaba and Val Chmerkovskiy Still Tense | Shortify
- Summary: Val Chmerkovskiy's 'Oscar Slap' joke led to Carrie Ann Inaba refusing his apology, risking DWTS suspension. Carrie Ann Inaba rejected Val Chmerkovskiy's…
- Keywords: carrie ann inaba, val chmerkovskiy, dancing with the stars, oscar slap, apology, suspension, Carrie, Ann, Inaba, Val, Chmerkovskiy, Still
- Source: Cosmopolitan — https://cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a74191058/carrie-ann-inaba-has-not-accepted-val-apology
- Author: Mehera  Bonner
- Published: 2026-10-20T11:55:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: carrie ann inaba, val chmerkovskiy, dancing with the stars, oscar slap, apology, suspension
## Val Chmerkovskiy's 'Oscar Slap' Joke
Val Chmerkovskiy joked about Carrie Ann Inaba after her criticism of Jenna Johnson's dance.

> Carrie Ann did not initially accept Val’s apology when he called to say he was sorry
## Carrie Ann Refused Apology
Carrie Ann heard Val's apology but never confirmed they were fully reconciled.

> She heard him out but never said things were fully good between them
## DWTS Suspension Risk
Producers suspended Val for the joke, a first for someone on the show since day one.

> producers on the show encouraged [Val] to save face by making an apology to her
## Key takeaway

Carrie Ann Inaba rejected Val Chmerkovskiy's apology after his 'Oscar Slap' comment on Jenna Johnson's dance.