Triple threat Tatyana Ali is honoring her late Fresh Prince of Bel-Air TV dad, James Avery, on Dancing With the Stars‘ Dedication Night.
A fan’s social media comment about Val Chmerkovskiy‘s recent Will Smith Oscars slap controversy with Carrie Ann Inaba garnered a reaction from the popular Season 35 contestant.
Tatyana took to TikTok to discuss the emotional significance of the dance. That’s when a fan used the opportunity to call out Val for his recent remarks about Carrie Ann.
“This is why I’m so mad Val used James’ legacy, your legacy, your work to threaten Carrie Ann,” the fan wrote. “I love the show, and I’m so happy I grew up with James Avery on my screen.”
Tatyana liked the comment.
As DWTS fans know, Val was suspended for this week’s show after making a controversial remark about Carrie Ann following her critique of his wife, Jenna Johnson.
ICYMI, Carrie Ann called out Jenna for including a lift that was not permitted in her dance. Val subsequently commented, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”
The remark sparked backlash because many interpreted it as a reference to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Will Smith, of course, rose to fame as the star of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
