Maksim Chmerkovskiy on DWTS rant: ‘I Didn’t Mean it in a Selfish Way’
THR talked to Maksim Chmerkovskiy after the Dancing with the Stars performance show Monday night, and Maks clarified some of his more explosive comments on the air after the judges gave Hope Solo a negative critique.
I guess he just misspoke when he said “This is my show.” Since apparently he didn’t mean that the “show was his.”
From THR:
Having publicly called out the judges for what he deemed was unfair criticism, one Maks seemed to regret possibly offending his fellow pros. The other Maks was clearly reveling in the raucous his comments caused.
“I pride myself on the fact that I’ve never changed,” he says. “I think I got smarter… but the integrity is still there. I’m very clear in what I stand for.”
To briefly recap, Maks’ issue was with judge Len Goodman calling Hope Solo’s week 6 performance her worst of the season. When Len brought up his 50 years in the business, Maks quickly snapped, “Maybe it’s time to go.”
The audience gasped, the judges quibbled and Maks suggested that their critique was “disrespectful.”
On this matter, he’s staying on point. “Len is the only one who comes from a ballroom background, and I really respect his opinion,” he says — though maybe not tonight’s. “I’ve danced for 27 years, and I’ve won more titles than Len ever even participated in.After their critique, Maks and Hope adjourned to the contestants’ holding pen. It was there that the real fiery comments came out and where Maks thinks his intent may have been misconstrued.
“With all due respect, this is my show,” he said to co-host Brooke Burke Charvet. “I helped make it what it is.”
Maks says he never meant to imply sole ownership. “I feel like it’s my show, and together, with other pros, I dedicated six years of my life to this show,” he says. “I’ve helped make it what it is, but I’ve never taken it away from anybody else who participated.”
“Like I said, it’s my show, and I didn’t mean it in a selfish way,” he says. “I love it. It’s what I love doing. Our fans are phenomenal.”
“If anything, I’ve been under the radar this entire [season],” he says. “All of a sudden the haters are like, ‘Now we have something to talk about.’”
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I don't even think he meant it that way. His point was that viewers watch the show for the celebrities and their journey, not judge commentary. Its not like AI where we want to see the judges tear somebody apart or bicker amongst themselves. Aside from Bruno's occasionally funny moments, I could care less what Carrie Ann or Len have to say. His point was that the audience/fans watch the show to see their celebrities grow, not to see the judges come up with zingy one-liners.
I also think his frustration with the inconsistent judging is valid. I've practiced with the DWTS home fitness videos and such, and without a doubt, not only is Maks one of the best dancers, but he's one of the best instructors. He has his own studio and classes, and it shows in his teaching style. As such, he gets paired with some of the harder partners (Kirstie Alley, Muhammad Ali), and he gets held to a much higher standard.
Okay, totally meant Laila Ali. DUH.
@IdolTime: I was with you until you threw in the part about unrequited love. I was disconcerted by Maks' words. Even though I feel the judges do pick on him, they are correct in their words about Hope. She looks disinterested (probably her facial features which she can't help) and has the body for dancing. She is awkward and I feel that is from her not wanting to be feminine in front of a crowd. When the female dancers worked with her, she looked great but failed to bring it to the dance floor. I thought dancing in the boots hurt her. Only pros (like Lacey) are able to carry that look off. Maks came off sounding whiny. This is why he never wins. He just doesn't play the game.
ha. that's just my observation re "unrequited love". these two have a certain spark that is uneasy.
Showbiz defies reason and convention. The fact that 1. Chaz was selected this season and 2. That he/she has mot yet been eliminated should demonstrate the absurdity of the show. If Solo earned a 6 then Chaz should have gotten a -45. It's all about ratings. If the needed a gorilla to raise the rating they would get a gorilla.
This controversy is helping the show when its rating is slipping. So the producers are laughing behind the scene.
I honestly don't think what the judges or Len said tonight that was so incendiary that would make the the pros go beserk calling them to get out of the business. That was so unprofessional.
The judges are there to give their opinions. Sometimes they overpraise and sometimes they underpraise. It's all part of the format. That's the drama that is one ingredient that make the show successful. THE CRITIQUE is what the audience is waiting for after each dance.
Len believed that it was Hope's worst dance of the season and he has said repeatedly that he believes that she would go all the way. She's a world-class athlete. She can handle the criticism.
I fail to see the charm in Maks in his way of protest. And his justification afterwards feel empty and distasteful when he's listing his dance credentials. Who cares! If it weren't for this show, nobody would even know who you are. Dancers are dime a dozen.
But all of this probably the result of his frustration bored out of his unrequited love for Hope Solo.
I really think this is much ado about nothing and is getting blown way out of proportion to what actually went down. Maks kept his cool and voiced his opinion which he should be allowed to do. He didn't scowl, shout, or throw a tantrum. If he had truly lost his temper and acted like a mad man, then that might be a different story.
Maks said this is my show. Full of himself. Its all a joint effort. Tired of Maks and his pompus ways. Derek can also get very angry at the judges. This is not professional at all for either of them. It just makes them look like jerks. It makes them both look like so much less. I thought that I would feel sorry for Derek's girlfriend with his temper and anger problems. Being a decent person is the goal always in life. Len is doing a great job and must be respected at all times. Len is a breath of fresh air on this show. He holds them all to task and it should be that way all the time. People vote for Maks and his partner due to liking Maks. It should be about the dance, and not who you have a crush on as far as the pro dancers go.
Perhaps Maks overreacted...don't think anyone is questioning that, Carol Ann...but it is funny how Len said to Hope "This is your worse dance!" and never said anything like that to either Chaz (who is profoundly worse than Hope and simply cannot dance...) or to Nancy (also worse, thoughts he is not terrible). I don't think Hope is exerting less effort than either of these two inferior dancers. Let's get real. Len just wouldn't tell Nancy, and especially Chaz..."This is your worse dance ever!" or any variation of that critique. Len also never criticizes Palin spawn when she screwed up and danced terribly...not once. He cannot be gentle and diplomatic to one 'star' and quite the opposite to another He just loses credibility. There needs to be a sense of fairness and I think this is where Maks got upset. However, Maks got too emotional and overreacted...that is true.
Btw, Rickey. I respectfully object to the use of the term "rant" in your headline. IF that be true, then Len's assessment can be labeled as a rant as well. A "rant" implies a violent manner of speech. I prefer "outburst" since Maks was clearly allowing a 'sudden burst of strong emotion' to get the better of him. Sorry to be the wordsmith, but....
Maks certainly keeps the show interesting. Maks...we love ya dude...bu, while t Hope may a force on the soccer field...she is not light on her feet on the dance floor. She is not very good or convincing. Okay?
Maks is very sensitive and takes the criticism too personally, he seems to get very hurt by the negative feedback. I think he is allowing past, unsubstantiated comments that were made by Carey Ann still get to him when Len really had more of a basis for his negative judging. But having said that, it is clear that other than Bruno...I feel the judges have been tougher on him, over other dancers, in the past (Len chastising him for taking his shirt off with Erin and yelling at him during the judging, Carey Ann picking on Brandy apart about lifting her chin and not shutting up about it...but giving Bristol, who sucked, a free ride). Maks needs a good neck and back massage. He is so cute when he gets all hot and bothered! Love ya Maks!
I never took Maks' statement to show his ownership of the show. To me, he was stating that as one of the professional dancers and one of the few original pros, he felt partially responsible for its success. He is an amazing dancer and the judges have singled him out repeatedly for harsh criticism. Truthfully, I feel the judges have become quite full of themselves and guest judges would be a welcome change/addition. Keep Maks...he is the reason many watch the show - including me!
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