DWTS Co-Stars React To Maksim Chmerkovskiy's Rant Against Judges

Team Maks? Or, Team Maks Needs To Shut It? People at home have opinions and so do Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s fellow Dancing With the Stars castmates.

Of course, the DWTS cast was diplomatic when talking about Maks’ outburst on the Season 13 Broadway Week Performance Show, when he made a speech against the judges and basically told head judge Len Goodman it’s time for him to retire.

"Not all of them [share my opinion]," Maks told E! of his fellow dancers. "Most of them, yes. But there are a few of them that actually went up to the judges and, for some reason, went as far as apologizing for me and disagreeing with what I said."

E! got snippets of reactions from some of the stars and celebs. According to J.R. Martinez, "He did go a little too far with it, but it is what it is." Maks’ ex-fiancee, Karina Smirnoff, said "We danced right after Maks so I just wanted to make sure that the judges made sure that we didn't concur with Maks' opinion...He needs a hug." Aww! According to Lacey Schwimmer, "He spoke his opinion and he should be allowed to do it."

The most interesting comment was from Derek Hough, who brought up his own temper tantrum — also after a Rumba and also involving heel leads — from Season 6. "Sometimes you do take things personally…I did that one time with Shannon Elizabeth,” Derek said. “I went off. And I thought, ‘Oh my goodness, I can't ever do that again!' I felt like the judges have been incredibly generous this season so I was surprised."

Yeah, they’ve been generous to Derek and Ricki Lake, easy on Chaz Bono, and borderline adoring of Rob Kardashian and Nancy Grace (a 9, Carrie Ann Inaba?!) but none of the judges seem to have anything but tough love for Hope Solo.

"I've had it,” Maks told On the Red Carpet Monday night. “I've had it a long time ago, I just kind of kept it cool. Look, she doesn't deserve it, that's all it is."

Maks continued airing his frustrations, asking why certain people have been eliminated early in the past — from Carson Kressley last week to presumed frontrunner Sabrina Bryan on Season 5? To him, it’s because the judges told them they should be better by that point and others who could barely walk were applauded just for their effort. (Are your ears burning, Bristol Palin, Nancy Grace and Chaz Bono?)

So does he think his rant was the most controversial moment of the season? "Whatever helps the ratings,” he told On the Red Carpet, laughing. “You're welcome, show!"

Source: E!, On the Red Carpet