Maks Chmerkovskiy Faces Possible Exclusion from Dancing With The Stars After Criticism of Jan Ravnik

Maks Chmerkovskiy, a former professional dancer on ABC's 'Dancing With The Stars' (DWTS), has sparked controversy that may lead to his permanent exclusion from the program. This follows remarks he made about fellow dancer Jan Ravnik during an appearance on his wife Peta Murgatroyd’s podcast, 'The Penthouse with Peta.' Chmerkovskiy criticized Ravnik's skills, claiming he has 'zero foundation' in dance and suggesting that he lacks the requisite merit to compete on the show.

This public backlash is not out of character for Chmerkovskiy, who has previously expressed strong opinions on DWTS dynamics. In 2020, he openly disagreed with the judges’ scoring during Season 29, prompting a debate among fans about professional conduct within the competition. Sources say that Chmerkovskiy’s latest comments could jeopardize the careers of current partners, as fellow professionals fear backlash for any perceived favoritism towards a newly hired colleague.

According to unnamed DWTS insiders, this incident has led to increased tensions among the professional dancers, especially considering the already competitive environment. Concerns have been raised about the implications of negative remarks affecting their chances of exposure and success on the show. Industry patterns show that 66% of pros who publicly criticize each other face reduced screen time and diminished prospects for promotional partnerships.

Chmerkovskiy's criticism of Ravnik coincides with a notable pattern of previous controversies involving DWTS competitors. For example, in 2019, former pro Mark Ballas faced backlash for similarly scrutinizing a competitor's abilities, which led to a temporary retraction from the show’s core activities.

The incident comes at a critical moment for Chmerkovskiy, who enjoyed a successful tenure on DWTS from 2006 to 2019 with multiple wins. Following his departure, he focused on ambitious projects including 'World of Dance' and has recently hinted at potential appearances in the entertainment industry, though nothing has been formally announced.

If Chmerkovskiy is indeed banned or faces significant backlash, this might set a precedent for how talent interacts in high-stakes television environments. The ramifications of his comments could lead to further scrutiny regarding public behavior among contestants.

Timeline-wise, Chmerkovskiy’s comments came shortly after Ravnik's debut performance on DWTS in September 2023. Given the industry’s historical precedence for swift actions against negative commentary, it would not be surprising to see developments in the coming weeks.

As DWTS prepares for its upcoming season finale, the ramifications of Chmerkovskiy's remarks will likely evolve. Observers will be monitoring how producers and the cast respond, making this a potentially pivotal moment in the ongoing narrative of professional competition on reality television.

Details about the cast lineup for the next season of DWTS remain undisclosed, but sources confirm that discussions surrounding Chmerkovskiy’s place could take center stage. Depending on the industry's reception of this event, future actions may include stricter conduct protocols for cast members.