DWTS Pro Hospitalized with Vertigo During Live Tour

Val Chmerkovskiy missed a show in Illinois due to severe dizziness and balance issues.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Professional ballroom dancer Val Chmerkovskiy was briefly hospitalized during the 'Dancing With the Stars' Live tour after experiencing severe dizziness and vertigo that forced him to miss a scheduled performance in Peoria, Illinois. Chmerkovskiy, a three-time DWTS champion, shared a video from his hospital bed describing feeling extremely disoriented and struggling to regain his balance while traveling on the tour bus.

Why it matters

Vertigo can be especially problematic for professional dancers who rely on precise balance and spatial awareness to perform complex choreography. Chmerkovskiy's health scare highlights the physical demands and risks that come with touring live dance shows.

The details

Chmerkovskiy, 39, told fans he had been struggling with vertigo for several days while on the DWTS Live tour. The symptoms intensified during a recent leg of the tour, prompting medical tests and causing him to miss a show in Peoria. Doctors diagnosed him with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, a condition affecting the inner ear that can cause sudden dizziness.

  • Chmerkovskiy experienced severe vertigo symptoms during the recent leg of the DWTS Live tour.
  • He was forced to miss a scheduled performance in Peoria, Illinois due to the worsening vertigo.

The players

Val Chmerkovskiy

A professional ballroom dancer and three-time champion on the TV competition series 'Dancing With the Stars'.

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What they’re saying

“Vertigo is a sensation that feels as if you're spinning in circles, dizzy and off-balance. That could be especially distressing for dancers, who must be especially aware of where their body and limbs are in space while doing choreography.”

— Julie Washington, Health reporter, cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Chmerkovskiy said he felt relieved after medical tests ruled out more serious issues, and he hopes to return to performing soon.

The takeaway

This health scare for a top DWTS pro highlights the physical toll and risks that come with the demanding schedule of live dance tours, especially for dancers who rely on precise balance and spatial awareness to perform at a high level.