Gleb Savchenko blasts Carrie Ann Inaba's 'bulls—t' lift verdict in samba

# **Gleb Savchenko Calls Carrie Ann Inaba’s ‘Bulls—t’ Lift Verdict a Samba** The former *Dancing With the Stars* pro, Gleb Savchenko, blasted judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s “bulls—t” assessment of Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr.’s samba routine.

His out‑of‑court tirade erupted just days after Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for a week over a social‑media jab that referenced the 2022 Oscars drama involving Will Smith and Chris Rock.

The controversy has ignited fresh debate about what counts as a lift on the dance floor and how the show’s judges police the choreography they love. Savchenko’s video—uploaded to TikTok on Sunday—recounts his viewing of the “Super Bowl Night” episode.

He praised the pair’s samba as entertaining, yet condemned Inaba’s criticism that the lift was an illegal move. “If I was a judge instead of Carrie Ann, I would never, ever, ever call out that lift,” he declared, framing the judge’s comment as a manufactured TV moment rather than a fair assessment.

The issue matters because it strikes at the heart of *DWTS*’s format: the judge’s ability to enforce the rules while maintaining the show’s spectacle. In a show where lifts can be both a show‑stopping highlight and a potential rule violation, the line between creative flair and disallowed choreography is thin.

When a judge’s call sparks a public debate, it exposes the tension between entertainment and regulation that fuels the series’ longevity. ## Background & Context Gleb Savchenko, who has danced for *DWTS* from Seasons 23 through 34, is no stranger to the show’s intricate balance between athleticism and storytelling.

Over his tenure, he earned a reputation for his sharp sense of rhythm and a respectful approach to the panel’s choreography guidelines.

When Val Chmerkovskiy, a long‑time pro and judge, took a week off after a tweet that referenced Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars incident, the spotlight shifted to how the show’s personalities navigate public platforms.

Chmerkovskiy’s post, which mimicked the infamous “keep my wife’s name out of your f‑king mouth” line, was intended to defend his wife, Jenna Johnson, after Inaba’s harsh feedback about a lift in their samba.

The comment drew criticism for its reference to a racially charged event, prompting the show’s producers to suspend Chmerkovskiy for a week.

In his subsequent statement, he apologized, acknowledging that he had “made a poor decision to reference a meme… without stopping to think through what else that reference could imply, which was genuinely never my intention.” Meanwhile, Inaba’s role as a judge is steeped in a tradition of strict rule enforcement, especially concerning lifts.

Known as the “lifts police” by some fans, she has long emphasized that lifts must be executed correctly and within the choreography’s intended boundaries.

Her commentary on the Jenna Johnson and Harry Shum Jr. routine was no exception: she singled out a lift that she believed violated the show’s regulations, prompting Savchenko to question the validity of her call.

The *Super Bowl Night* episode itself was a showcase of high‑stakes dance, featuring Johnson and Shum Jr.’s samba that mixed traditional Latin flair with contemporary hip‑hop elements. The routine’s lift, performed early in the choreography, sparked immediate debate among viewers and cast members alike.

Savchenko’s defense of the lift, labeling it a “trick featured on the show many, many times,” underscores how routine lifts are often incorporated into performances without breaching guidelines. ## What People Are Saying Savchenko’s TikTok post was concise yet charged.

“I just watched Jenna and Harry’s samba and I think it was a very entertaining dance and was really cool,” he began, acknowledging the routine’s entertainment value. He then pivoted to a direct challenge: “I don’t think it was an OG samba, it was a bit flat‑footed, it was like a hip‑hop samba.

But I’ll tell you this, if I was a judge instead of Carrie Ann, I would never, ever, ever call out that lift.” His tone suggested a mix of amusement and frustration at what he perceived as an over‑zealous call.

In the same breath, Savchenko dismissed Inaba’s lift claim as “bulls—t,” asserting that the lift “was just a trick” and that neither Jenna nor Harry performed it together as required.

He further implied that Inaba’s reaction was a performative moment to create drama for television: “Probably, Carrie Ann just had to say something because she’s the lifts police of ‘DWTS.’ I think she was just doing her job creating a good TV moment, but I’d say team Val on this one.

Period.” His final statement, “I think there’s some bulls—t going on,” left little doubt that he viewed the judge’s call as an overreach. Chmerkovskiy’s response to the suspension, meanwhile, was more measured.

He wrote that his “instinct” was to defend his wife, but he also acknowledged that his tweet was a “poor decision.” He clarified that he had no intention of equating the situation with the racial undertones of the Oscars incident.

His apology was brief but sincere, and it set the stage for his week‑long absence from the show. The reaction from fans and viewers has been split.

Some applaud Savchenko for defending what they see as a fair dance routine, while others criticize his use of profanity and his dismissal of Inaba’s authority. Inaba, known for her no‑nonsense style, has maintained that her lift criticism was based on choreography rules.

The broader conversation about lifts on *DWTS* is not new; it has been a recurring theme each season, with viewers often debating whether a lift is executed correctly or if it is a blatant rule violation.

Behind the scenes, the show’s production team faces the logistical challenge of maintaining consistency in judging while also managing the personalities that make the show compelling.

Chmerkovskiy’s absence will leave a gap for a week, but his replacement will be the experienced choreographer Alan Bersten, who will take over for Jenna Dewan on the upcoming Dedication Night.

Dewan, who has been paired with Bersten after Chmerkovskiy’s suspension, will perform a Viennese waltz in honor of her mother, Nancy Bursch, providing a bittersweet counterpoint to the controversies swirling around the studio. ## What Happens Next The immediate future for *DWTS* is shaped by Chmerkovskiy’s one‑week suspension and the shifting dynamics among the judges and pros.

The show’s producers have not issued a public statement clarifying the exact nature of the lift rule or whether Inaba’s call will be re‑evaluated. However, the episode lineup suggests that the drama will continue to unfold.

Jenna Dewan’s new partnership with Alan Bersten for Dedication Night will be closely watched by fans who want to see if the choreography will include any contested lifts. Meanwhile, Savchenko’s outspoken stance may influence future judge–pro interactions.

His willingness to publicly challenge a judge’s call signals a shift in how pros may feel empowered to express dissent. Whether this will lead to a more open dialogue or spark further friction remains to be seen.

In the meantime, viewers will likely keep a close eye on the next season’s introduction of new pros and whether the “lifts police” narrative continues to dominate the judging criteria. The broader industry conversation about social‑media conduct for performers is also poised to grow.

Chmerkovskiy’s apology and the subsequent suspension underscore how a single tweet can impact a career in the public eye. The show’s executives may revisit their policies on what constitutes a permissible comment about high‑profile incidents, especially those involving race and celebrity.

As the entertainment landscape evolves, *DWTS* will have to balance the spectacle that audiences crave with the increasingly sensitive nature of public discourse.

In the weeks ahead, the show’s producers will also be preparing for the finale of the current season, a moment that will likely feature high‑stakes choreography where lifts are inevitable.

Whether the judges and pros will hold back or embrace their most daring moves remains a tantalizing question for fans and critics alike. The dance floor, it appears, is still a battlefield where passion, rule‑making, and public scrutiny collide.

Whether the “bulls—t” verdict will be vindicated or overturned, the debate around lifts and social‑media conduct will keep the *DWTS* conversation alive until the next season’s opening.