Maks Chmerkovskiy Clarifies His Dancing With the Stars Commentary

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Maksim “Maks” Chmerkovskiy is not side-stepping his Dancing With the Stars critiques.

Just a week after apologizing to dance professional Jan Ravnik for upsetting him, Maks discussed his impressions of the current contestants on the 34th season and made his feelings known.

On Peta Murgatroyd’s podcast, The Penthouse With Peta, Maks Chmerkovskiy discussed Whitney Leavitt’s November 4th performance. He praised her as a very talented dancer, saying she was “next level,” but added that she needs to push herself further and show even more potential. He questioned whether they were seeing everything she was capable of.

“I’m not again trying to get anybody upset at me,” he noted, “but there are now expectations.”

Last October, a professional dancer—who previously won season 18 with Meryl Davis in 2014—caused some controversy with comments he made about Jan, a new contestant on Dancing With the Stars. Jan had previously performed as a backup dancer for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour.

Maks expressed strong disapproval of Jan’s performance on Dancing with the Stars during the October 24th episode of The Penthouse With Peta. He stated that Jan lacks the fundamental technique, quality, and understanding of partnership needed to compete at a professional level, and he found it frustrating that these obvious issues were being ignored.

Maks criticized Jan and her partner, Jen Affleck, for their dance performance on the October 21st episode of Wicked night.

The 45-year-old explained that the dancer had no understanding of the foxtrot. He questioned how someone could be expected to teach a dance with a style so different from even standard ballroom, adding that they’d raised this concern weeks prior and wondered why no one had explained the dance to him.

Days later, following the backlash, Maks made a public plea to Jan.

In a video posted on October 30th, he apologized to Jan for any hurt feelings caused by his words. He expressed a desire to talk more privately, suggesting they meet for coffee or whenever Jan has time, hoping they can resolve their differences and move forward.

He concluded by saying he hoped we’d not only get to know him better, but also leave feeling changed, and maybe even become friends.

Maks emphasized that he and Jan are still friends, and then went on to describe how he generally likes to communicate and offer feedback.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always believed in honest communication – I tell it like it is, even to strangers! That’s how I approach everything, including dance critique. I don’t base my opinions on feelings or emotions; I focus on a completely different way of thinking and analyzing what I see. It’s all about objective reasoning for me.

Jan hasn’t responded directly to Maks’ statements, but he did criticize those who shared negative comments about his performance before he and Jen were eliminated on October 28th.

I really can’t stand hate, and it genuinely bothers me when people try to gain attention by spreading it. That’s what he told TopMob News after the Halloween episode, and I completely agree with him. It just feels wrong to build yourself up by tearing others down.

Maks is addressing some recent statements, and we’re taking a look at why he and other professional dancers decided to leave Dancing with the Stars.

When I heard Artem wouldn’t be back as a pro dancer for season 28, it was a huge surprise to all of us fans! He actually said on The Bellas Podcast – while he was with Nikki Bella – that getting that news was really tough, and honestly, just not a good feeling at all. It was clear it wasn’t an easy conversation for him.

The popular professional, who had been with the company since 2014, described finding out he was let go – just days before the official cast announcement – as incredibly painful. He compared it to a breakup, saying, ‘I gave 10 years of my life to that company, and to be let go right before the announcement felt like a punch to the gut.’

He then came back for seasons 29-32, even winning one with Kaitlyn Bristowe.

Sharna, a professional dancer who previously won season 27 with Bobby Bones and had been a runner-up three times in her twelve seasons on the show, shared her reaction on Instagram after not being chosen as a pro for season 28.

She explained that her time on the show felt like a significant part of her life. She shared that she’ll deeply miss the creative process, telling stories through dance, and especially the impact she could have on her dance partners. She also expressed how much she’ll cherish the daily interactions and inspiration she received from her ‘Dancing with the Stars’ family.

Sharna has been announced as the newest judge on the Australian version of the popular reality dancing competition, and she’s hinted at some exciting things to come on the show.

She returned for seasons 29 and 30, and was paired with Brian Austin Green, whom she started dating during that time.

Derek is considered one of the most beloved professional dancers in the show’s history. He’s won the most championships – six mirrorball trophies – and has also received four Emmy Awards for his choreography.

He was a professional dancer on the show for many seasons, starting with season 5 and continuing through season 21. He took a break during season 12 to film a movie. In season 20, he unexpectedly returned, balancing his commitments to the show with a Broadway performance. He ultimately finished his run as a pro dancer with season 23.

Before joining Dancing with the Stars as a judge starting with season 29, he was a judge on Jennifer Lopez’s World of Dance, a reality dance competition on NBC.

After three seasons and two wins, Julianne announced she was leaving the ABC reality hit. 

She explained to Ryan Seacrest that she wanted to concentrate on her music career and be recognized as a serious artist. While she didn’t say she’d never return to the show, she did eventually come back for season eight because her boyfriend, country singer Chuck Wicks, was a contestant, and they were paired together. They finished in sixth place, and that season marked her last as a professional dancer. However, she later rejoined the show as a permanent fourth judge for seasons 19 through 21, and again for seasons 23 and 24.

Julianne Hough, previously married to hockey player Brooks Laich, had been a judge on NBC’s America’s Got Talent before returning in 2023 to co-host Dancing with the Stars.

Mark joined the show in its fifth season and danced professionally for an incredible 18 seasons, winning two championships. He took a break for seasons 23 and 24 to star as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway, but returned to compete in season 25, finishing as runner-up with Lindsey Stirling.

Mark then turned his attention to music, collaborating with his wife, BC Jean. Together, they formed the duo Alexander Jean and signed a record deal.

He returned for season 31 with Charli D’Amelio and season 34 with Whitney Leavitt.

Karina was a professional dancer on the show for seasons 3 through 9, and took a short break during season 10. She then danced for nine seasons straight before taking another brief time off in season 20. She explained she wanted to pursue other projects, including writing a book.

She ended up returning for two more outings, but Karina officially left DWTS after season 22.

After retiring from dancing, Smirnoff appeared on the reality show Famously Single and eventually returned to professional dancing. In 2017, she discussed leaving her ABC series, saying she still enjoys watching the show and is open to the possibility of rejoining it.

Dancing with celebrities on the show is fun, but it’s a unique dynamic. You end up being more than just a dance partner – you’re like a coach, therapist, and motivator all in one, I told Fox News. But when you dance with a professional partner, it’s a true collaboration with someone equally skilled, and the performance feels different. I really missed that equal partnership when I was paired with celebrities.

Oh, Maks.

This dancer is one of the show’s biggest stars, but he’s also known for disagreeing with the judges and occasionally having trouble with his celebrity partners. He’s had a rocky journey on the show, leaving and coming back multiple times, starting in 2012 when he initially quit to try acting.

After fifteen seasons, he questioned what more he could contribute, telling the New York Post it was understandable that both the audience and producers wouldn’t expect him to continue. He felt it was a natural conclusion.

He came back for season 18 and finally won with Meryl Davis, but left the show immediately after. He returned again for seasons 23 through 25, but controversially missed a performance while partnered with Vanessa Lachey.

Now married to professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd, Maks sometimes appeared as a guest judge when he wasn’t competing.

This popular competitor first appeared in the show’s second season and participated in every season until she won in season nine. She took a break for season ten, then danced for six seasons straight before taking another three seasons off.

Thankfully, she came back for season 20 and was partnered with Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank. They eventually fell in love and got married. Kym then took a few seasons off before dancing one last time as a professional in season 24.

Kym announced she was expecting twins in January 2018 and shared that she was retiring from professional dancing. She said she’d put her dancing shoes away for good, but left the door open to potentially returning to Dancing with the Stars in a different role.

She expressed interest in returning to the show in some capacity, perhaps as a judge or in another role, and she later appeared as a guest judge on season 34.

Cheryl quickly became a standout competitor after joining the show in its second season, making history as the first female professional dancer to win and the first pro to win two seasons in a row. After an impressive 18 seasons, she announced her departure before season 20. While rumors suggested she was considering a new variety show on NBC that never materialized, she returned for season 23, took a season off, and then couldn’t resist coming back for a special season – a milestone for both her and the show.

She excitedly announced her return for season 25, saying, “I’m back again!” While she previously danced with Ryan Lochte last season, she’s been looking forward to this season. This marks her 20th season on Dancing With the Stars, and she’s thrilled to be celebrating this milestone both for the show and for herself.

Cheryl Burke married Matthew Lawrence in May 2019 and returned for season 28 of the show, but she left again in 2022. She made one final appearance as a guest judge on season 34.

Peta first appeared on the show in season 13 and quickly became a popular contestant, competing in every season until season 20 – and even winning once! Unfortunately, a severe ankle injury kept her from competing in season 21.

She made a successful comeback in season 22, winning the competition with her partner, Nyle DiMarco. Then, just six months after having her first child, she competed in season 25 with Nick Lachey before taking another break from Dancing with the Stars.

After taking three seasons off to be with her son, Shai, and former Dancing with the Stars partner Maks Chmerkovskiy, Peta returned to the show.

She told US Weekly she was thrilled to be returning, saying she’d been working towards this for months and really hoping everything would fall into place. She explained that the timing was right for her family, as Maks had other commitments and their daughter, Shai, was in good hands. It just felt like the perfect moment.

Her most recent run was on season 32.

Tony Dovolani joined Dancing with the Stars in its second season and competed for 20 seasons, winning once. His last partner on the show was Marla Maples, during season 22.

Tony shared on Instagram that he’s leaving the show to concentrate on expanding his Dance With Me USA studios and continuing to teach. He also plans to travel and perform, as well as make appearances at events. He expressed that he’ll miss the show and its audience.

The dancer, who first became known on So You Think You Can Dance, became a professional on the show in season 19 and competed for two more seasons. She took a break during season 22 after announcing she was pregnant with her second child with her husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who is also a SYTYCD alum, during a live episode of Dancing with the Stars.

Six months after having her baby, Allison came back for her 23rd season, which turned out to be the final one of her professional career.

She announced on Instagram that she won’t be competing on Dancing with the Stars this season, wanting to let her family, friends, and fans know first. She expressed her love for the show and its people, and shared her excitement for this season’s contestants.

Oh my gosh, Lacey! I was so thrilled when she joined Dancing with the Stars after being amazing on So You Think You Can Dance – she got fourth place, can you believe it?! She was a pro on DWTS for seasons seven through thirteen, which basically meant I never missed an episode. She was even a troupe member for a season, season ten I think, but honestly, even then she stood out! I just loved watching her dance every week.

Following the thirteenth season of Dancing with the Stars, Lacey shared that she was departing the show to pursue other projects, such as recording an album and launching a clothing line.

She told SheKnows she needs to take a break and prioritize what’s important. She’s working on managing her time better.

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2025-11-07 20:19