Val Chmerkovskiy and Dancing With the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba have apparently put their recent drama behind them.
The pro dancer and the 58-year-old judge were seen sharing an embrace during Tuesday night’s “Horror Movie Night” episode.
A behind-the-scenes video posted on Instagram after the show aired showed Carrie holding Val’s shoulders while he wrapped his hands around her waist. The pair continued to talk softly, nodded at each other and eventually shared a hug.
Carrie and Val’s reunion came after the pro dancer returned to the show after a one-week suspension.
For those unversed, the DWTS team announced the 40-year-old pro dancer’s suspension ahead of the week six episode after he made a controversial remark referencing Will Smith’s infamous Oscar slap in response to criticism that judge Carrie Ann Inaba gave his wife, Jenna Johnson, in a previous episode.
Moreover, on Tuesday night Inaba also acknowledged the attention surrounding their interaction and addressed the crowd, saying, “So everyone’s staring. We are coworkers and we are completely cordial. We are good, OK?” per People.
Chmerkovskiy also expressed relief after reconnecting with Inaba.
Speaking in an interview after their reunion, he said, “It felt cathartic relief, you know?”
“I think it was just really important for me to make sure that she feels safe and knows that, firsthand from me, I want nothing but love for her.”
He continued, “I want nothing but joy for her and as much as the world might say otherwise, I want her to know how I feel, not how others want me to feel, but how I genuinely feel. I will have nothing but love for Carrie Ann.”
I have nothing but respect for what she has to say,” Val added.
