The fiery temper that "Dancing With the Stars" pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy is famous for displaying on the show? Don't expect to see it in the upcoming "All-Stars" edition.
When "Entertainment Tonight" asked the ballroom bad boy if he'd be tougher on partner Kirstie Alley in their second attempt at winning the mirror ball trophy, Maks gave a resounding no. "I'm going to go on the record and say I will never ever ... you will never see (makes angry face) this type of Maks ever again."
ET then asked if a nicer Maks would also be presented to the show's judges too. He simply replied, "Who?" Apparently, the new Maks may still be hanging on to some old grudges. The pro has lashed out before at Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli after the panel seemingly gave several of his partners tougher criticism and scores than other hoofers received.
It didn't seem as if he was too thrilled with the line of questioning either. (He mumbled a "Here we go again" when the subject of his method of training was first brought up). Former partner Hope Solo accused Maks in her new memoir, released last Tuesday, of slapping her across the face and "manhandling" her during rehearsals during season 13.
But whether Maks likes it or not, the subject of his teaching methods is staying in the headlines, with season eight runner-up and "All-Stars" contestant Gilles Marini also speaking his mind on the topic.
In an interview with Celebuzz, the "Sex and the City" actor says if ladies don't want to be paired with the tough pro, they need to speak up. "His way is hard, we all know about it," Gilles told the website. "If a lady doesn't like to be treated in a hard way on the dance floor with Maks, then they should tell the producer."
As the actor sees it, the fan favorite had his strict teaching method ingrained into him as a kid. "I think dancers like Maks, they were so young when they started dancing -- so young -- they know only one way: and its the hard way," Gilles told Celebuzz. "I'm not saying it's right, I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm saying that's the only way he knows how to teach. And guess what. The show asks him (back) all the time. So no matter what people will say he does, he's still going to be on TV. He's going to do what he needs to do to make his partner win."
The pro has yet to win a mirror ball trophy, but has come close several times. He finished third with Laila Ali in season four, second with Mel B in season five, third with Erin Andrews in season 10 and second with Kirstie in season 12. He took Hope to fourth place.
Though Maks' way is tough, Gilles, who's paired with Maks' rumored lady love Peta Murgatroyd, told Celebuzz that some people do want that -- himself included. "If Maks is teaching me tomorrow, I want him to be super hard on me. Otherwise, I won't learn."
"Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars" premieres Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
What do you think of Maks' attitude on the show? Do you think Hope's allegations against him will hurt his chances on "Dancing" this season? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.
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