DWTS' Maks Chmerkovskiy Makes Public Plea to Jan Ravnik Amid Drama

DWTS' Maks Chmerkovskiy Makes Public Plea to Jan Ravnik Amid Drama Over Casting Comments

Maksim Chmerkovskiy is open to having a new dance partner.

Nearly a week after the former Dancing With the Stars pro and his wife Peta Murgatroyd criticized new pro Jan Ravnik for having “zero foundation technique” in the ballroom, Maks made a public plea to have an in-person meeting with the Taylor Swift backup dancer.

“First and foremost, I want to apologize to Jan for the way my words made you feel, for hurting your feelings,” the 45-year-old said in an Oct. 30 Instagram video. “There's a lot more that I want to say. I would like an opportunity to do it over coffee, or any kind of time you have to spare. I would love to meet. I would love to bury the hatchet.”

He added, “Most importantly, I think you're going to walk away with knowing me, feeling completely different and, dare I say, we probably might even be friends.”

While emphasizing that he is “not not a friend” to Jan, Maks offered an explanation for why his comments may have been perceived negatively.

“Maybe it's paradoxical, but my personality [is] ‘I love you, and I will tell you how it is,’ let alone if I don't know you,” he continued. “So, my commentary on dance does not come with feelings and emotions, it just comes with [a] completely different range of reasoning.”

Maks—who won Dancing With the Stars in 2014 alongside partner Meryl Davis—also addressed the “crazy” backlash he has faced since he and Peta—who has won the mirrorball trophy twice, in 2012 and 2016—made their comments on an episode of her podcast.

“You can't really hurt my feelings by saying, ‘Look at you loser. You only won once. Blah, blah, blah,’” he said. “I know that more than anybody else. I'm also very well aware that every single member in my family has won Dancing With the Stars more than I have. They are much better at Dancing With the Stars than me.” (Maks’ brother Valentin Chmerkovskiy has won the show three times, and his sister-in-law Jenna Johnson has won twice.)

While admitting he has made “incredible mistakes” during his time on the ABC series, including his “loss of temper” with partners, Maks called for everyone to handle their frustrations with him in a more positive manner.

“Let's not defend someone by attacking somebody else,” he concluded. “That's all I'm going to say.”

For his part, Jan—who was eliminated from the competition this week alongside his partner Jen Affleck—hasn’t directly addressed Maks’ critical comments, but focused on the positive reviews he received during his time on the show.

“I’m a person who doesn't appreciate hate,” Jan told E! News after he was eliminated Oct. 28, “or people who are spreading hate to stay relevant.”

Indeed, he appreciated judge Derek Hough telling him he had a “fantastic” first season.

“It felt great,” Jan continued. “I love that he said that. I love accepting love. I have so much respect for Derek and it means a lot to me."

Read on to see who else is competing on this season of Dancing With the Stars.

Partnered with Britt Stewart

Partnered with Jan Ravnik

Partnered with Valentin Chmerkovski

Partnered with Daniella Karagach

Partnered with Jenna Johnson

Partnered with Alan Bersten

Partnered with Witney Carson

Partnered with Rylee Arnold