Dancing with the Stars is supposed to be about dancing, but this week it’s been about a whole lot more. The gossip fodder hasn’t let up for a nanosecond, and today is no exception. After being banned from the ABC talk show circuit following his and Hope Solo’s week 9 elimination, pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy finally got a chance to talk. And boy, did he.
Maks tells the NY Post that he thinks JR Martinez should win the Season 13 Mirrorball trophy (which will be awarded on next week’s Dancing with the Stars finale show), and if he doesn’t “there is something fundamentally wrong with America.” Whew. At long last Maks also addresses his current relationship with ex-fiancé Karina Smirnoff, JR’s pro partner. “I will never speak to that person again. And I never have. It has been years now.” Double whew. What's it like on the set for these two? One can only imagine the tension in the skybox where all the contestants must hang close together two nights a week. If two people refuse to speak to each other, it can hardly go unnoticed. For his part, Maks admits it's been hard. For her part, Karina has maintained her silence.
Dancing with the Stars long time fans will recall Maks’ proposal of marriage to Karina on New Year’s 2009. Their engagement ended within months, supposedly over the couple’s inability to agree on children. Karina became engaged again last year, this time to pro baseball player Brad Penny. And from the looks of it, this wedding may never take place either. The couple recently postponed their winter wedding.
Despite his personal feelings about Karina, Maks really wants JR to win Season 13. “I think J.R. deserves it. It is his right to walk into Dancing With The Stars and walk away with the trophy. But on top of all of that, he is a great dancer.” Well said, Maks.
I think Max is nothing more than a Deva and he should get over himself. Just because he has had a problem with not hearing how great he is he turned Hope into a winey little girl. I would not miss him if they would dump him next year.
not a comment, but a question, I can't seem to view any of the ABC shows online, can anyone help me? thanks
I love Maks & the entire cast of dancers but I have not been a fan of the judges at all this year. They are to judge the dancing not pick apart the person.There were too many insults thrown at the cast this year and I have not enjoyed watching the show. But I am staying until this one ends & I am now sending all my votes to J.R. Good luck!!!!!
The Dancers change continuously on the show yet we've had the same three judges for ever. I think it is time for new judges on the show. Their comments and scores have become as predictable as the commercials. Revitalize this show. GET NEW JUDGES PLEASE!!!
That's funny that's the name I use on ABC. "New Judges Please" Oh no you should have heard how this person reprimanded me about lay off the judges. The truth is I dislike bullies and the judges and anyone who defends them are bullies. The judges stopped judging a long time ago. This is not dancing with the professional dancers. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE JUDGES DANCE WHEN IT IS A PERFORMANCE. THEY CAN BARELY KEEP A BEAT. Anyway thanks Stephen!!
I agree, maybe time for new judges. I don't think they were any harsher then previous seasons, if anything, I think they could have praised some a little less and guided the viewers to realize that there were some really bad performances early on and eliminated the contestants based on dancing, not name recognition. I am disappointed that a lot of talent was voted off early and some stayed longer then they really should have deemed by dance talent, but, it points to who is the viewing audience is. I'm sure many viewers were not familiar with Chynna or Kristen, so they voted otherwise. I think the audience was going on a popularity vote very early this season.
This is a JUDGED competition. If Maks can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen. He's an arrogant hothead and needs to be removed from the show. However, I do think that the judges were out of line at times – - not judging dancing so much as appearance, ie, Bruno's comments about Chaz's personal appearance. Very disrespectful and not helpful. I thought the judges' criticisms were supposed to help the dancers improve their performance.
I agree that maybe it is time for new judges. I also think the pro dancers don't get the credit they deserve – they work with non dancers and help them become so much more than their first dance would indicate. I think Maks was expressing some of his frustration in this area. He is regularly given grief by judge Len while pros like Derrick can do no wrong in Len's eyes. This show has always been about popularity over true dancing talent. Too many good dancers have gone home long before less talented but better known stars.
I am not going to watch dancing with the stars anymore! They were so very rude to maks and he works really hard to get his dancers to dance it's not his fault he always gets the worst people to teach derick gets all the good dancers but again it's who they like I dont think people should really be kicking Maks down just because he has the guts to tell the judges off which I think he had every right the other pros probably feel the same way but dont have the guts to stay any thing And I wonder how much money Rob K. is paying dancing with the star to have him win the trophy. He does not deserve to win but he will he will pay them off so he can be a star which he's not I think JR by right should win but maybe he doesnt want to pay for the trophy dont blame him. good bye dancing with the stars this season And i am so sick of the Kardashians go home rob and get a job instead of riding on your sisters and they arent stars either people shouldnt support them they have millions of dollars for what nothing that's why and im not a hater but if the trueth hurts im sorry
Kath Smith, I totally agree with you and your intuitive analysis of this season. Maks held his tongue as long as he could. He had every right to finally say what the other dancers wanted to say, but didn't. From week one they picked on Hope for some reason and yet they praised others (we all know who) and actually one judge cried, instead of offering advice. When Bruno had to be the "bad guy" and tell Chaz what he should have been told from the beginning by the other judges, Chaz went off. He couldn't handle the truth, and said quote "I'm sick of it". Better dancers were sent home i.e. Chyna and Kristen, and as for me, "I was sick of that!" They need to re vamp the next season, and make it a "Dancing Competition" like it used to be. It has only become a competition in the past 4 weeks. I hope next season they understand how frustrated their viewers are, or they will be loosing more fans.
the judges are fine, ricki is just as good. and rob is cute and could win.
Maks is still crying over Karina, HOW PATHETIC. This guy is a total BITCH. He loved talking about how much he hates her, dude get a life and stop BELITTING WOMEN you PUNK.