When Critics Clash: Maks Chmerkovskiy's Frank Take on Jan Ravnik, and the Family Response That Followed

Ah, the dance floor. It's a place of passion, precision, and, apparently, a fair bit of candid commentary, especially when a certain Chmerkovskiy brother is holding court. Maks Chmerkovskiy, you could say, has never been one to mince words, and he certainly didn't hold back when discussing Jan Ravnik and Ariana Madix's much-talked-about debut on Dancing With The Stars this season.

Now, Ravnik and Madix, they delivered a routine, a cha-cha in truth, that was technically — by all accounts, mind you — near perfect. Crisp lines, sharp movements, flawless execution. It earned them quite the impressive score for a Week 1 performance. But Maks, ever the seasoned pro and a judge of more than just steps, had some thoughts. And he shared them, as he does, on his podcast, "Confidently Insecure."

His take? Well, he found it... a bit sterile. Too perfect, perhaps. He articulated a feeling that the performance, while undeniably skillful, lacked that elusive "it" factor, that spark of improvisation, that deep emotional connection that truly elevates a dance from mere movement to something captivating. It was, he mused, a "showcase" of steps rather than a story told through body language. He suggested, quite pointedly, that it felt too choreographed, too practiced, almost missing the raw, human element that makes ballroom dancing so compelling.

And here’s where things get interesting, don’t they? Because in the world of Dancing With The Stars, connections run deep, often familial. Enter Jenna Johnson, a fellow pro, a fan favorite, and, significantly, Maks’s sister-in-law. It wasn't long before her own Instagram feed lit up with a post that, while not directly naming Maks, felt very much like a subtle yet undeniable rebuttal. She lauded Jan and Ariana's Week 1 performance, describing it as "unreal" and "absolute fire." She tagged both dancers, showering them with praise.

It was a moment that felt like classic family drama playing out, albeit on a very public stage. One brother-in-law offering a pointed critique, another family member stepping up, perhaps not to contradict directly, but to celebrate and support in equal measure. It just goes to show, you know, that even among the glitter and glamour of professional dance, opinions can diverge quite dramatically, and loyalty, for some, speaks volumes without uttering a single, direct word. And that, in a nutshell, is the enduring appeal of these behind-the-scenes insights, isn't it?