Jenna Dewan is preparing for an emotional night on Dancing With the Stars, but her next performance will look different from previous weeks. Following professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy’s one-week suspension, the actress will take the ballroom floor with another familiar face from the competition.
According to E! News, Alan Bersten will partner with Jenna Dewan for the October 20, 2026, episode of Dancing With the Stars. The special Dedication Night performance will honor someone important to Dewan while the show deals with the controversy surrounding Chmerkovskiy’s social media comments.
The unexpected partner switch has sparked interest among DWTS viewers, who are eager to see how Dewan handles the change during one of the season’s most emotional episodes.
Why Jenna Dewan Is Dancing With Alan Bersten
Dewan originally competed with Chmerkovskiy, but the professional dancer will miss one episode after receiving a suspension from the ABC dance competition.
Bersten, who previously competed this season with celebrity partner Giada De Laurentiis, will step in to help Dewan prepare for Dedication Night. The temporary partnership gives the actress a new challenge as she continues her journey toward the Mirrorball Trophy.
Switching dance partners can require quick adjustments to choreography, timing, and performance style. With the October 20 episode approaching, Dewan and Bersten have limited time to develop the chemistry needed for a polished ballroom performance.
The change also puts Dewan in the spotlight as she prepares to deliver a personal tribute while navigating an unexpected disruption to her competition routine.
Why Was Val Chmerkovskiy Suspended From ‘Dancing With the Stars’?
Chmerkovskiy’s suspension followed a social media controversy involving DWTS judge Carrie Ann Inaba.
The dispute began during the October 13 episode, when Inaba criticized a samba performed by Chmerkovskiy’s wife, professional dancer Jenna Johnson, and her celebrity partner, actor Harry Shum Jr. The judge deducted points over a lift, which is prohibited in the Latin dance category.
After the exchange attracted attention, Chmerkovskiy appeared to reference the infamous 2022 Academy Awards incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock in a social media comment. The post drew criticism because viewers interpreted the reference as inappropriate in the context of a disagreement with a judge.
On October 17, BBC Studios, the production company behind Dancing With the Stars, announced that Chmerkovskiy would not participate in the following week’s show.
The company said the dancer’s post did not reflect the standards expected of people associated with the program, emphasizing that the well-being of everyone working on the show was a priority.
Val Chmerkovskiy Apologizes After the Controversy
Following the announcement, Chmerkovskiy addressed the situation publicly. He acknowledged that he had made a poor decision by referencing the incident and explained that his initial reaction came from wanting to defend his wife.
He also recognized that the comment could carry implications beyond what he intended and expressed regret that Inaba had been drawn into the controversy.
Chmerkovskiy said he did not want the situation to distract from Dewan’s hard work or the significance of Dedication Night. He encouraged fans to support Inaba, Dewan, and the wider DWTS family.
His statement offered an explanation for his actions while acknowledging the impact the social media post had created.
Jenna Dewan’s Dedication Night Dance Will Honor Her Mother
Despite the unexpected change, Dewan’s upcoming performance is set to focus on a deeply personal theme.
For Dedication Night, the Step Up actress will perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, according to reporting cited by E! News. The dance will be dedicated to her mother, making the performance particularly meaningful.
The Viennese waltz requires fluid movement, close partnership, and consistent timing. Its romantic style could provide a fitting backdrop for Dewan’s tribute, although the temporary partner change presents an additional challenge.
Fans will be watching to see how the new pairing translates the song’s emotional tone into a memorable ballroom routine.
What Alan Bersten’s Return Means for the Competition
Bersten’s return gives the show an experienced professional who already understands the demands of live competition. However, stepping in for another dancer means learning new choreography and adapting to a celebrity partner who has trained with someone else throughout the season.
For Dewan, the key will be maintaining her confidence and connection with the music despite the last-minute adjustment. A strong performance could help her maintain momentum as the competition continues.
The partner switch also adds another storyline to a season already filled with emotional performances, judge feedback, and unexpected developments.
When Will Jenna Dewan Perform on ‘DWTS’?
The special Dedication Night episode of Dancing With the Stars is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, on ABC and Disney+.
Viewers can expect Dewan and Bersten to take on the Viennese waltz while the show moves forward without Chmerkovskiy for the week.
Whether the new partnership delivers a standout performance remains to be seen, but Dewan’s personal tribute and the circumstances behind the switch have already made her upcoming dance one of the episode’s most anticipated moments.
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*Source: E! News