Val Chmerkovskiy Stands by Brother Maks While Disagreeing with His Criticism
In the world of dance competitions and reality TV, family loyalty can sometimes be tested when opinions clash publicly. This is exactly what happened recently between the Chmerkovskiy brothers, both notable figures from “Dancing With the Stars.” Val Chmerkovskiy has found himself in the delicate position of supporting his brother Maks while fundamentally disagreeing with his public criticism of fellow dancer Jan Ravnik. Following a Halloween Night episode of the show, Val spoke to Access Hollywood, making it clear that while Maks remains his “best friend,” he doesn’t necessarily align with all his brother’s views. “You don’t have to like what he said. I don’t have to agree with what he said. But I’m always going to stand up for him,” Val explained, demonstrating the complexity of balancing familial loyalty with professional integrity in the public eye.
The controversy began when Maks Chmerkovskiy made some particularly harsh comments about Jan Ravnik during an appearance on his wife Peta Murgatroyd’s podcast. Maks didn’t hold back, stating that Ravnik had “absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing With the Stars” and criticizing his technique, quality, and understanding of partnership. These cutting remarks quickly circulated through the dancing community and among fans of the show, creating tension within the professional dancing circle. Such public criticism from a veteran dancer like Maks carried significant weight, especially considering his long history with the show and his reputation as one of its most recognizable professional dancers. The situation highlighted the intense scrutiny that dancers on the popular competition show face, not only from judges and viewers but sometimes from their own peers.
While standing by his brother’s right to express his opinion, Val made it clear that he “completely” disagreed with Maks’ assessment of Ravnik. He acknowledged the harmful impact such criticism could have on a current professional in the midst of the competition, saying, “Do I think it’s hurtful for a current professional who is currently in the season to hear feedback like that? Of course, that’s incredibly hurtful.” Val emphasized that he still shares a workspace with Ravnik and made sure they had a conversation about the situation. In a show of professional support, Val publicly stated that he thought Ravnik “did an amazing job,” directly contradicting his brother’s harsh evaluation. This happened around the same time that Ravnik and his celebrity partner, “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Jen Affleck, were eliminated from the competition after failing to secure enough votes from the American audience during Tuesday’s Halloween-themed episode.
Drawing from his own experience, Val offered context that highlighted the challenges facing first-time professionals on the show. “First time out, this is a much more intimidating position to be in than I think people at home imagine,” he explained, comparing Ravnik’s performance favorably to his own debut season in 2011 with actress Elisabetta Canalis, when Val himself was “eliminated second.” This personal reflection added weight to Val’s defense of Ravnik, suggesting that the newer dancer had actually handled the pressure quite admirably for someone in his position. Throughout the controversy, Ravnik himself maintained a professional attitude, telling Us Weekly after his elimination, “Everyone has [an] opinion. Everyone has a right to have [an] opinion. Haters [are] going to hate and whoever loves us, loves us. What am I going to do? You can’t change their mind.” This mature response demonstrated Ravnik’s understanding of the industry and his ability to take criticism in stride, regardless of its source.
As the competition continues with “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night” scheduled for November 4, Val expressed hope that both Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik feel proud of their accomplishments in what has proven to be an exceptionally competitive season. “It’s hard, and I think he did an extraordinary job,” Val concluded, reiterating his support for the eliminated pair. His final comment acknowledged his brother’s right to his opinion while gently but firmly establishing his own contrasting view: “I think Jen should be very proud to have been partnered with him and listen, my brother has an opinion and that’s great.” This diplomatic stance allowed Val to honor family ties while standing by his professional assessment and supporting a colleague who had faced public criticism.
This incident illustrates the complex dynamics that exist behind the scenes of popular competition shows like “Dancing With the Stars,” where professional relationships, family bonds, and public personas all intersect. Val’s ability to navigate these waters—supporting his brother while disagreeing with him, maintaining professional relationships with colleagues, and offering encouragement to newer members of the dancing community—demonstrates the maturity and interpersonal skills required to thrive in such a high-profile environment. As the show continues to air on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, viewers are reminded that beyond the dazzling performances and competitive spirit lies a community of professionals with their own relationships, opinions, and challenges to navigate both on and off the dance floor.
