Lacey Schwimmer, Chaz Bono Defend Maks' Outburst on DWTS
Credit: ABC/ADAM TAYLOR; Steve Mack/FilmMagic
Dancing With the Stars judge Len Goodman may have been shocked by pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy's outburst over his Monday night critique, but fellow pro Lacey Schwimmer applauds her pal for having the courage to speak up.
"A lot of us wish we would say stuff and we never do -- we're afraid of it," Schwimmer, 23, told Us Weekly backstage after Monday's show, where Chmerkovskiy went off on Goodman after he called his rumba with Hope Solo their "worst dance of the season."
VIDEO: Maks tells Us about his rehearsal sessions with Hope
"Regardless of what Maks said, and if he hurt people's feelings, he had the courage to stand up for him and his partner, and I think that is amazing. It's hard to hear your friend bullied by three people who we're supposed to respect," she continued, referring to DWTS judges Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. "It's unnecessary and rude, especially with all the bullying going on in the world."
PHOTOS: Stars who were bullied
Calling DWTS "my show," and arguing that he "helped make it what it is," Chmerkovskiy later explained himself to The Hollywood Reporter. "Len is the only one who comes from a ballroom background, and I really respect his opinion," he said. "I've danced for 27 years, and I've won more titles than Len ever even participated in."
VIDEO: Remember this wild DWTS routine?
Schwimmer -- who, along with the show's other pros, outline their weekly choreography -- says she has encouraged her celeb partner, Chaz Bono, to have a thick skin when accepting critiques.
"[I tell Chaz to] expect the worst. I'm not going to speak poorly of the [judges'] profession or what they have done in their careers, but they have no business saying the things that they do," Schwimmer seethed.
VIDEO: Watch Chaz's cha cha routine
Bono, 42, wishes the judges could offer him more constructive criticism.
"It's a bit insulting. One judge in particular week after week paints me as this... I don't know... chubby, cuddly little Ewok, little penguin. That's not about my dancing," Bono argued. "If you want to talk to me about my dancing and how I can improve, I have no problem with that. That would be fine!"
Adds Schwimmer: "This is a dance competition, not a favorites competition and you guys clearly know who the favorites are. It's very obvious."
Tell Us What You Think
17I admire Chaz for going on DWTS. I am glad someone finally had the guts to do so. And yes, I am gay. But, he had more guts than I could imagine. This includes Lacey. Lacey stood beside Chaz the whole time. Congrats to the both of you. And, I wil keep watching DWTS. No one has the right to judge anyone for their sexual preference. It is no ones business. Let a person be who they are!!!
I believe Chaz showed that he is truly a female, his/her emotions got the better of him/her. these shows get their rateings by the judges coments and the dancing whether good or outrageous. He/she isnt the first to get berated and won't be the last. He/she would really be crying if Simon was judging him/her. I have nothing against his/her chosen sexuality but don't use it to get treated any different than anyone else.
I agree with Makism! The only people whom need to apologize are the judges for treating a person the way they did! DWTS just lost another viewer!
Barry Marshall~You are an ass.
Shame on Barry Marshall...shame...
This Bono thing complains that the Judges don't like overweight me. Well, she is not and will never be a man. Take the criticism and get off the T.V. I for one do not apreciate you drssing like a man and confusing those crazy enough to look at you. You are an abomination!!!
I still watch DWTS but for years I have DVR"d it and watch it later. That way I can fast forward over all the judges commentary which I find useless at best and often mean spirited. These judges have lost all credibility. The show is about the dancers, not them. Go Max!
The judges are juding the dancing ability alone - not giving personal opinions about the dancer. You know from day one who the judges are rooting for - judging should be impersonal. Their personal opinions aren't welcome - I started watching this show because I wanted to see someone trying to learn to dance because I don't think I would be anywhere near as good as they are. What I'd really like to see is the three judges have one week to learn how to do something they don't know how to do - say ice skate - and have Kristy Y, Peggy Fleming, and Dorothy Hamel be judges, and then see how they do. Maybe that would give the judges the idea of how these stars feel when they are hurtfully critiqued on what they do. Judges, judge the dance moves, not the actual dancers. Being overweight does not mean that people have no feelings. I have quit watching DWTS because Bruno's comments to Chaz were totally offensive to me as a person. Bruno is a bully. Len is a bully. Carrie Ann tries to tone her comments down so that the star can heed her advice.
If any judge's remarks become personally insulting or degrading, that judge should be publicly censured and/or removed for biased judging.
It's definitely a favourites competition, and every week they don't criticize the dancing so much anymore, it's more the person.
The judges have no right to call people names, plain and simple. I cringed when I heard the penguin remark. Unforgivable and unprofessional. These stars are not pros and are doing better than I ever could. Courage...what courage it must take to get out there every week and dance before the world. Good show, Chaz, Lacey, Hope and Maks! Bravo, Maks, for having the heart to speak what we all know!
OK, I have to agree with Lacey on this one. The judges can be really . . . mean. They are judging people who are NOT dancers. Chaz is right, its one thing to judge him on his dancing - and I said judge, not ridicule - but thats where it should be left. Sometimes, the judges just go too far, and they need to remember they are talking to people with feelings.
the whole point of having judges is that they judge. They are paid for their opinions and have been chosen due to their prior experience. I think that the dancers just need to get over it. I watch the UK version alongside the US show and to be honest some of the US professionals would learn a lot from doing the same...
Totally behind what Maks said last night. The judges get nasty. These people are not professionals and they want to learn. They take it too far and it's annoying (and sometimes upsetting) to watch. Go Maks!!
Oh shut up Max and just dance! You are more annoying every season. Leave Len alone! He's just doing his job. (I know, the truth hurts.)
I think Bruno is sickening. They need to put velcro on his butt. But at least, thanks to him, I can also catch some of the Sing Off.
I AGREE THAT JUDGES ON DWTS NEED TO GIVE CONSTURTIVE CRITIZEM, NO MAKE BAD REMARKS ABOUT DANCERS.