Maks Chmerkovskiy Addresses Brother Val Chmerkovskiy’s DWTS Suspension

Olivia Evans Sat, October 24, 2026 at 12:43 AM UTC

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Maks Chmerkovskiy isn’t dancing around this controversy.

Less than a week after his brother Val Chmerkovskiy underwent a one-episode suspension from Dancing With the Stars for a controversial social media post, Maks shared his reaction.

“I love him and he’s my brother,” Maks told E! News in an exclusive interview at the Dancers Against Cancer’s Gala of the Stars in Los Angeles Oct. 22. “He’s been on the other side of my antics I guess in the past and we’re going to keep it moving.”

Ultimately Maks—dad to Shai, 9, Rio, 3, and Milan, 2, with wife Peta Murgatroyd—didn’t want to step on his brother's toes when it came to handling the backlash.

“He’s going to handle it and he’s a big boy,” Maks continued. “He’s my brother no matter what. We have difference of opinions and difference of actions but it’s not going to change the way I feel about him.”

And when Val needs his support, Maks assured, “I’m there for him.”

“I’m with him,” he continued. “And we have spoken but there’s not something that I sort of let him know that he doesn’t already. I’m going to let him handle it.”

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Indeed, the 46-year-old is happy to watch his brother shine from the wings.

“It’s amazing that I got to do it and now I get to watch someone do it too,” he explained. “I don’t mean get in trouble. I mean live the Dancing With the Stars life. I’m happy for him. It’s been amazing and he’s going to figure this out.”

For his part, Val has already headed back to work. The 40-year-old was back in the studio with celebrity partner Jenna Dewan this week following his one-week suspension for a comment he made on social media about judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

Addressing a remark Carrie Ann delivered to Val’s wife and fellow DWT Spro Jenna Johnson during the show’s Oct. 13 episode, Val seemingly referenced Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars slap of Chris Rock, writing in a since-deleted social media post, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night.”

Victoria Sirakova/Getty Images

But as for Maks, he's putting his energy into a bigger cause as he hosted Dancers Against Cancer’s annual gala which honored Missy Elliot, Toni Basil and more.

“For me it’s a huge honor just to be part of this let alone be in the room with those people,” Maks mused. “Let alone be a host. It’s a big responsibility but I love it.”

For a deeper look into the DWTS season 35 cast, keep reading…

—Reporting by Lauren Herbert

Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa

You won't hate this news—the10 Things I Hate About Youstar will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten

The celebrity chef couldn't cha-cha-chop away the competition and was eliminated during the Sept. 22 episode.Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson

What did you miss onGlee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart

Sadly, the former '90s teen heartthrob did not MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35. He and his pro partner were axed from the competition on Sept. 29.Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik

TheFresh Prince of Bel-Airactress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy

Twenty years after starring inStep Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov

The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach

The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism onDWTS.Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills

Though her sisterBrooks Naderwas the fifth star to be eliminated on season 33, theLove Thy Naderstar said goodbye to the competition after her debut episode on Sept. 16.Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold

The comedian, also known asFibulaon social media, is ready to earn more applause onDWTS.Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman

TheSecret Lives of Mormon Wivesstar followed his wifeWhitney Leavitt's footsteps after her season 34 appearance, but he bid farwell to the season 35 competition during the Sept. 15 premiere.Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess

The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.Jackson Olson & Emma Slater

The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson

TheJimmy Kimmel Live!star was ready to learn some new moves, but his time onDWTSwas cut short on Oct. 13.Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong

Even thoughSummer Housestar had fans screaming "bravo," she was eliminated from the competition on Oct. 6.Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas

TheLove Island U.K.alum is hoping her love forDWTSdoesn't betray her as she manifested this experience."I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year.Dancing With the Starswas already on it from the year before. However, I added five moreDancing With the Starson the board."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”