Val Chmerkovskiy Jokes About ‘Bribing’ DWTS Judges for Perfect Score

Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy is willing to do whatever it takes to get partner Alix Earle a perfect score.

“We just got to start bribing the judges with more money. We just got to up the ante a little bit,” Chmerkovskiy, 39, teased to Us Weekly exclusively following the Tuesday, November 4, episode of the ballroom competition show.

Chmerkovskiy and Earle, 24, nearly received all 10s for their paso doble to Bon Jovi‘s “Livin’ on a Prayer” on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night. It was the second week in a row the duo were one point away from a perfect 40.

“I just think they want us to work for it,” Chmerkovskiy told Us, “and we are, but they want us to work a little harder. I think that’s part of what’s exciting about the competition is that there’s so many really good couples that that’s what it takes. It’s about [having] the emotional stamina — together [and] by yourself — and they’re squeezing us for it.”

Chmerkovskiy added that “it’s going to be that much more rewarding” when the pair finally lock in a perfect score.

Earle agreed, telling Us she felt “ecstatic” about earning 39 points on Tuesday. “I mean, it is not an easy competition this year, and I think I take it almost as a compliment not getting a perfect score because that means they see more potential,” she explained. “I’m excited to unlock that new potential and hopefully squeeze out a perfect score eventually at some point during this competition.”

The influencer was proud that their hard work in the rehearsal studio paid off. “It still feels like a crazy ‘pinch me’ moment that I’m able to come on here, do this show, and then to get amazing scores like that,” she gushed. “I’m just living out my biggest dreams right now, so just trying to soak it all in.”

Flavor Flav joined judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough during Tuesday’s episode, keeping fans on their toes with his unpredictable scores. Flav, 66, was the only judge who didn’t give Earle and Chmerkovskiy a 10 — which he chalked up to a technical error.

“As a judge on #DWTS,,, you hit your score on a computer first,,, then hold up the sign,” Flav explained via X on Tuesday. “I accidentally hit 9 for someone and told the crew I meant to hit 10,,, and they said they can’t change it and there’s nothing I can do. That girl deserved perfect 10s.”

Despite having trouble with the scoring system, Flav enjoyed every minute of his DWTS experience.

“It was amazing. It was phenomenal. It was out of this world,” he told Us after the live broadcast. “It was kind of breathtaking, man. It kind of took my breath [away], you know what I’m saying? ‘Cause I can’t believe I’m on Dancing With the Stars tonight. One of the biggest and largest shows in America right now.”

Flav’s passion came through to the fans at home and, while he may not be a ballroom expert, the rapper knew exactly what he was looking for.

“What I’ve seen was some of the greatest footwork, you know what I’m saying?” Flav said. “And some of the greatest teamwork. … I look for precision. I look for preciseness, you know what I’m saying? And I study the moves. I watch out for the timing. And each one of these couples, man, has some perfect timing tonight. So it was great.”

Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes streaming the next day on Hulu.

Prove your DWTS fandom with Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv! Compete against other fans and Us editors in the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league this season to predict which pairs will make it to the finale for season 34. Get access to exclusive content, stats and a chance to win prizes. Join the league for free today!