Jenna Johnson breaks down backstage after clash with Carrie Ann Inaba on DWTS

Jenna Johnson, a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, broke down in tears backstage on Tuesday, October 15, after a heated exchange with judge Carrie Ann Inaba during the show’s samba performance.

The clash erupted when Inaba called out Johnson and her partner Harry Shum Jr. for including a lift in the routine, describing the move as a violation of competition rules and reading from a sheet that defined a lift as any moment when both feet are off the floor with partner assistance. Johnson responded with a surprised “A lift?” before telling co‑host Julianne Hough that she understood the feedback and would take it.

Inaba also told Shum Jr. that he needed to “put more content in [his] dances,” adding that she “loved every minute” of the performance despite the critique. The judges awarded the duo an eight from each regular judge and a nine from guest judge Joe Buck, for a total of 33 out of 40.

According to a source quoted by The Sun, Johnson’s emotions overwhelmed her after the feedback, and the “floodgates of emotion burst open” as she stepped away from the set. Her husband, fellow DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy, was described as “pissed” and rushed to comfort his wife.

Chmerkovskiy later took to TikTok with a deleted post that referenced the 2022 Oscars incident involving Will Smith, writing, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.” He also commented under a separate video, urging respect for his wife and describing Inaba as “trippin.” Fans interpreted the post as a threat, sparking a backlash on social media.

Johnson told E! News after the live show that she would “take all the feedback” and remain focused on improving her performance for the next week, expressing determination to deliver a dance that would impress the judges and resonate with fans.

Representatives for ABC, Johnson, Inaba and Chmerkovskiy have not responded to requests for comment. Dancing with the Stars continues to air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+.