Actor Harry Shum Jr. posts cast tribute after DWTS lift critique
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The gist
Actor Harry Shum Jr. posted an 11-slide DWTS tribute saying the show "is supposed to be joyous."
The post followed a judge's lift critique that stirred a week of show drama.
Background
Harry Shum Jr., a 44-year-old actor known for Glee, Grey's Anatomy and Crazy Rich Asians, is competing on Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars (DWTS, the US celebrity ballroom competition) with pro partner Jenna Johnson. On Super Bowl Night, judge Carrie Ann Inaba flagged an illegal lift in their samba, reading the rule definition from a piece of paper, and the routine scored 33 out of 40. The critique set off online discussion, and Shum's tribute post came three days later, praising each remaining contestant plus recently eliminated Guillermo Rodriguez.
How it unfolded
- Oct 13, 2026Shum and Jenna Johnson performed a samba to Usher's "Yeah!" on DWTS Super Bowl Night; Carrie Ann Inaba criticized an illegal lift and the routine scored 33 out of 40. Guillermo Rodriguez was eliminated that episode.
- Oct 14, 2026Shum commented on DWTS' official Instagram, "Everyone take a deep breath! It's all going to be OK!" Johnson told E! News she would "take all the feedback."
- Oct 15, 2026Pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, Johnson's husband, publicly apologized to Inaba for a remark referencing the Will Smith slap, saying he had reached out to apologize directly.
- Oct 16, 2026Shum posted an 11-slide Instagram tribute to his castmates, writing "Reminder that this is a dance show. It is supposed to be joyous."
- Oct 20, 2026Shum and Johnson were set to perform a foxtrot on Dedication Night honoring his wife Shelby Rabara.
Who’s saying what
- Contestant
- Shum said the show "is supposed to be joyous" and urged people to "celebrate each other with more love."
- Pro partner
- Jenna Johnson said she "absolutely hear[s] what they're saying" and that judges need to give feedback, adding she wants to go far with Shum.
- Judge
- Carrie Ann Inaba called out the lift and read the rule definition from a piece of paper, which states a movement counts as a lift when a partner's support leaves a dancer with both feet off the floor.
Still unverified
Shum did not specify exactly what inspired him to share the post. Val Chmerkovskiy's remark, made in a since-deleted social media post, appeared to threaten to slap Inaba.