Hope Solo: "I Almost Quit" Dancing With the Stars
Credit: ABC/RICK ROWELL
Maksim Chmerkovskiy's temper gets the best of him sometimes.
During last week's Dancing with the Stars rehearsals, the 31-year-old pro placed a firm hand on partner Hope Solo's shoulder in an effort to make a point. The soccer star, 30, told Ryan Seacrest's KIIS FM show Monday that she "almost quit" after the incident.
VIDEO: Watch Maks lash out at the judges
"I want everybody to know out there that as a strong, independent woman that stands up for herself, I would never just let that go unnoticed," she said. "Outside of the cameras, [Maks] knows that he was in the wrong. He will be the first one to stand up to that."
Solo clarified that she "didn't just sit back and let that happen," and added that a similar incident "will never happen again."
"I almost quit the show right then and there," she said. "I almost walked out, but I told myself I am in this for the long-haul, through all the bumps and bruises."
But Solo pointed out, "You can tell I didn't really flinch."
Seacrest agreed: "No, you were ready to throw down!"
Fortunately, Solo got out her anger by talking things out with Chmerkovskiy.
VIDEO: Maks compares being partners with Hope and Kirstie
Last month, the Ukrainian pro lashed out at judge Len Goodman after he called their rumba their "worst dance of the season."
"I've been in this business for 50 years," Goodman argued.
PIC: Hope Solo poses naked for ESPN's Body Issue
"Then maybe it's time to go!" Chmerkovskiy barked back, even referring to DWTS as "my show."
He explained his outburst to the Hollywood Reporter: "I feel like it's my show, and together, with other pros, I dedicated six years of my life to this show...I've helped make it what it is, but I've never taken it away from anybody else who participated."
Tell Us What You Think
4Hope is superior woman athlete, so its a lil hard for her to translate that to the ball room... She's a power dancer..... and so Janet( u suck) jones, whatever,,,, #GoHope
Hope Solo won't cooperate with Maks. She fought him tooth and nail. She would NOT do what he was trying to tell her. Maks is a GREAT teacher, but she fought him almost every step. Maks is SERIOUS about his position on Dancing With the Stars. He was sick of her not cooperating. I'm not saying it was right to shove her, but I *AM* saying her attitude would drive a lot of people to WANT to shove her.
My only objection is to the word "almost". Wish she had quit. She dances like an unemotional wooden soldier. It's past time for her to go.
She did very well last night!