Things are getting heated and nasty on Dancing With The Stars and it has nothing to do with what’s happening on stage!
According to Us Weekly, it’s a case of the bad boy vs. the golden boy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Derek Hough “hate each other!”
“The professional dance community is really small. The dancers have known one another their entire lives,” an insider explains, referring to the contention that has developed. “Now that the group is famous, it’s added a whole other level of rivalry and competitiveness.”
The long-standing rivalry was exacerbated following Maksim’s on-air showdown with judges Len Goodman and Carrie Ann Inaba after a controversial critique of he and partner Hope Solo’s rumba. Maksim, who referred to DWTS as “my show” during his rant and encouraged Len to retire, upset Derek who defended the judge’s comments! Mad Maks retaliated by slamming Derek in an interview and claiming he only does well in the competition because he has partners with previous dancing experience!
Well, Derek is not taking those accusations lightly! “I had a laugh about that [comment],” the three-time winner responded. He believes Maks’ accusations stem from jealousy over never having a DWTS win! “I was looking at the plaque upstairs and…well, never mind,” he snipes, referring to the winners’ plaques, which is absent of Maksim’s name.
Apparently, this rivalry may have something to do with Maks briefly dating Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough! Allegedly “Julianne told Maks she didn’t want to have a serious relationship,” yet started seriously dating the very famous Ryan Seacrest which seemed to lead to big things in her career! Well, a source is claiming that a “bitter” Maks started “planting false rumors that Julianne was cheating on Ryan” with him! As for Derek, he was not a fan of Maks dating his sister. “Derek did not like him going out with his sister,” says a source.
Another reason for the beef between the pros is the belief that Derek is a “golden child” of DWTS producers. “Maks speaks his mind, but Derek is a kiss-ass. He never challenges anything. No wonder he gets the best partners!” says a source. Another source, however, states that it’s sour grapes on Maksim’s part.
“There’s no special treatment. Derek is a great teacher! Maks has had great partners too — Brandy, Erin Andrews — and he couldn’t make them win,” says the source. “He should have won with Mel B!” Touché…
However, one source counters that while Derek seems like a nice guy on air; looks can be deceiving! “Derek is dating Lauren Conrad for publicity,” says the insider. “He is focused on becoming a huge star like Julianne.”
A new episode of Dancing With The Stars airs tonight on ABC (8/7c).
[Photos credit: WENN]
THOUGHTS ON THE FEUD? WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON — MAKS OR DEREK? DO YOU BELIEVE DEREK ISN’T THE NICE GUY HE PRETENDS TO BE? IS MAKSIM JEALOUS OF HIS WINS?
