Long-time Dancing With the Stars professional Louis van Amstel has publicly addressed the ongoing debate regarding judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s enforcement of lift rules, which has intensified following the suspension of fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy.
The Controversy Over Lift Enforcement
During the October 13 “Super Bowl Night” broadcast, Carrie Ann Inaba penalized pro Jenna Johnson for incorporating multiple extras to assist in an aerial move during her performance with celebrity partner Harry Shum Jr. Inaba maintained that a lift is defined as any instance where a dancer has both feet off the floor with partner assistance.
Van Amstel, 54, supported Inaba’s assessment of that specific incident, stating on Instagram, “I’m not being diplomatic here but Carrie Ann was right to call out that lift. That was a lift. Two men assisted Harry off the floor.”
Calls for Consistency and Rule Clarity
However, Van Amstel argued that the judging has been inconsistent. He pointed to a routine performed the same evening by Val Chmerkovskiy and his partner, Jenna Dewan, claiming they performed a clear lift that went unpunished by the judges. “Carrie Ann did not call that out. That, to me, is inconsistent,” Van Amstel remarked. “I don’t mind the ‘lift police,’ she’s right to do it, but be consistent!”
Van Amstel suggested that the current rules are ambiguous, particularly regarding the involvement of extra dancers. He proposed a stricter, more comprehensive regulation: “You cannot do a lift whether it’s by your partner or any extra dancer in the entire number. Then, I would say that rule is waterproof.”
Val Chmerkovskiy’s Suspension
Following the critique, Jenna Johnson accepted the judges' feedback professionally. In contrast, her husband, Val Chmerkovskiy, faced severe repercussions after posting comments on social media that many interpreted as threatening toward Inaba, including an allusion to Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars outburst.
A spokesperson for BBC Studios issued a statement regarding the situation: “The well-being of everyone who works on Dancing with the Stars is non-negotiable. Val’s social media post was inappropriate and does not reflect the values or standards expected of anyone connected with the show. As a result, he will not participate in next week’s show.”
In the wake of his suspension, professional dancer Alan Bersten has been tapped to step in for Chmerkovskiy to perform a Viennese waltz with Jenna Dewan.