Chmerkovskiy was temporarily removed from the professional dancer cast after a controversial reference he made to Will Smith's infamous Oscars slap when criticizing Carrie Ann Inaba's judging. He will continue season 35 with Jenna Dewan.
Source: [Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/val-back-dancing-with-stars-season-35-suspension-jenna-dewan-1236736004/)