‘DWTS’ Maks Chmerkovskiy Apologizes For Rude Comment
Dancing With The Stars pro Maks Chmerkovskiy had a bit of a reputation during his run on the show. As a fiercely competitive dancer, he often butted heads with other pros and occasionally even the judges.
In the earliest days of the show, he reportedly even bullied Cheryl Burke. Fortunately, it appears that he eventually had a change of heart. Cheryl recently revealed that he did apologize for the comments.
So what exactly happened?
Maks Chmerkovskiy allegedly bullied Cheryl Burke over her appearance
After spending 26 seasons on Dancing With The Stars, Cheryl Burke has faced her share of challenges. But not everyone realizes that she once received very harsh remarks from her fellow dancers back in the day.
Although it seems everyone is on better terms today, former pros Louis van Amstel and Maks Chmerkovskiy reportedly fat-shamed Cheryl.
“[Maks] apologized years ago when this whole thing happened. He apologized to me and my mother, actually, which was nice of him,” Cheryl told The New York Post in a recent interview. “But look, is there closure? I don’t know if there’s closure. I mean, it’s not just because of him saying anything. It goes back to my dancing and competition career.”
Obviously, Cheryl Burke is incredibly athletic. However, she noted that she had no control over the shape of her hips, bone structure, or anything else. Over time, she became comfortable with her body and grew to love herself.
“So, I think, at the end of the day, I [need] closure with myself. And in order for that to happen, I have to love me and the body that God blessed me with, really,” she said.
Cheryl reports that the worst of the bullying happened around Season 2. She and her partner Drew Lachey did go on to win Dancing With The Stars that year. Maks Chmerkovskiy and his partner placed 6th while Louis van Amstel and his partner placed 4th. But sadly, many of the tabloids echoed Maks and Louis’ rude comments.
“It’s hard because I was growing up in front of people’s eyes on TV. I started when I was 21, and your hormones change, and I did gain some weight,” she continued in the interview. “I base my life off of seasons here, but I think it was like Season 7 or 8 right before I danced with Gilles Marini. And I’ll never forget being the center of the tabloids, just like, ‘Is she too fat for TV?’ All of these horrible comments.”
Cheryl Burke won’t be back for this week’s tribute dance
Although Cheryl Burke enjoyed her run on Dancing With The Stars, she wasn’t invited back for the Len Goodman tribute this week. The former pro confirmed the news on a social media profile. However, Maks Chmerkovskiy and Louis van Amstel will be back in the ballroom for the performance.
What do you think about the situation? Are you glad to learn that Maks Chmerkovskiy apologized for his role in the bullying? Do you think Cheryl Burke deserved an invitation to the tribute dance? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Follow TV Shows Ace online to keep up with the latest DWTS news. Dancing With The Stars will present the Len Goodman tribute routine during the “Most Memorable Year Night” this Tuesday. The episode starts at 8 PM Eastern time on ABC, so don’t miss out!
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