Maksim: 'Dancing with the Stars comment wasn't meant to be selfish'
Published Oct 25 2011, 11:51 BST | By Lara Martin
Dancing with the Stars professional Maksim Chmerkovskiy has said that his comment that he helped make the show what it is was not meant to come across as selfish.Chmerkovskiy clashed with head judge Len Goodman following the panel's critique of his partner Hope Solo, and later told Brooke Charvet that he "helped make [Dancing with the Stars] what it is".
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"With all due respect this is my show," he told the co-host. "I helped make it what it is. I love every aspect of it, every professional who has ever been here, every celebrity who puts effort into every week."
Chmerkovskiy later told The Hollywood Reporter: "I feel like it's my show, and together, with other pros, I dedicated six years of my life to this show. I've helped make it what it is, but I've never taken it away from anybody else who participated.
"I didn't mean it in a selfish way. I love it. It's what I love doing. Our fans are phenomenal."
Chmerkovskiy added to Access Hollywood: "When we got on the show it was season two. I respected the pilot season as far as it went. We got cast for exactly who we are, and there were a few of us - me, Cheryl [Burke], Tony [Dovolani] - who remained ever since.
© ABC
"Derek [Hough], Julianne [Hough] came on and made a difference, Mark Ballas came on, certainly the addition of Lacey's [Schwimmer] talent, and Chelsie [Hightower], and people who came and left - we built that show.
"We are told that in the beginning of every season and off-season when producers call us. We're told we are family and we are a cast and people who remain on the show. That's all I said. I didn't mean to say I made it, I said I helped make it what it is."
Chmerkovskiy and Solo scored 20 out of a possible 30 points for their rumba on Monday night's Broadway-themed episode, landing them just above Chaz Bono and Lacey Schwimmer at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Chmerkovskiy added on his Twitter account after the show: "To @hopesolo , you truly ARE my star tonight! Loved our dance! Very proud of you! To everyone else, I WILL NEVER CHANGE! Love me or hate me!"
Dancing with the Stars continues tonight (Tuesday) on ABC.
Watch more of Maksim talking to Access Hollywood below:
I respect people who stand up for themselves and their friends, I totally respect Maks for standing up for Hope. She is at least as good of a dancer as many of the others who are scoring high and I think she should get recognition for it. I also respect someone who can voice their opinion nicely and not care what anyone else thinks..I love a strong person! So nice for Hope to have such a good partner. Now would they hook up already :) They SO should!
October 28th 2011 at 5:09am
If you both feel that way why do you watch the show? I totally disagree Maksim makes sure he is the "star" and make sure his partners know that. Have you seen one, just one contestant that he was paired with that he gave positive comments too? And if you truly believe that then how did he get to second with Kirsty Alley? That shows he can take a dancer that is not a dancer and make them into a contender. I agree with you that Nancy Grace is not that good.. but she's still there! So that shows that the public, besides the judges, have a HUGE say in who stays and who goes! The 2 lady's who left were way better then Chaz and hope, but their gone becasue why? The public didn't put them thru not because the judges gave them low scores! Lets face it stars join to get their names out there, maybe are no longer relevent but know this show puts them back in the spot light! It doesn't mean that they are going to make someone like Chaz or Nancy Grace who KNOW thay can't dance, are not physically up to it and have little chance of winning! It's a carreer, financiall, or in Chaz's case( we know he is famous and does not need $$$) an honorable chance to show people in unpopular situations that they can do anything! He knew he wouldn't win and it doesn't behold DANCE judges to say nice things when celebrities are awful!
October 26th 2011 at 4:13am
Max is rarely given a partner with potential. He always showcases his partners unlike some of the other professionals who are all about showing their own talent. His comment was correct. When the judges like someone or think they are high profile they give kind comments even when negative.. Just like Sarah Palin the same is happening with Chaz and Nancy Grace. She is so heavy and ungraceful and yet they act like she did such a great job. Max could make a person with two left feet look good. I don't blame him for flaring up.
Plus this is a dance contest not a popularity contest. The people should have a vote but the judges votes should count for 90%. The choices of who has already gone are ridiculous. Such a joke. Get rid of Chaz, Nancy Grace, David Arquette and leave the good dancers to compete.
For the record he is the best male professional on the show.
October 26th 2011 at 2:35am
Hey Maks is a narcissist who has way to high of an opinion of himself. He is just a cog in the wheel of the show, no better than anyone else on the show, pros. celebrities, judges, host, ect. He was disrespectful to Kirstey last year, to Hope this year (did everyone for get how mean he was in rehearsals) and way over the top with Len. He is an excellent dancer no doubt! The fact is Hope was terrible and Chaz is just plain awful (I am against Bruno's comment tho!). Maksim needs to rain in his ego, his mouth or he needs to walk! A talk with Len after the show would have been more appropriate. The show will be a hit with or without him.
October 26th 2011 at 12:18am
I agree with maks and lacey's comments. We know week one who will win. Why watch the show?
October 25th 2011 at 6:39pm