'Dancing With the Stars': Derek and Maksim Talk Alleged Rivalry
"It’s not rigged," Hough said about alleged favoritism.
— -- Maksim Chmerkovskiy is back on "Dancing With the Stars" tonight after taking a short break. The 2014 champion, who is paired with Amber Rose, will face off against Derek Hough and Marilu Henner, along with the rest of the "Dancing" pro cast.
Chmerkovskiy and Hough spoke to US Weekly about the upcoming season.
Chmerkovskiy admitted that his "Dancing" career "was constantly tumultuous."
"I don’t have a rivalry with Derek. Derek may have a rivalry with me, but I don’t have one," he said.
He appeared to be joking, but is never one to shy from challenging another dancer on the show or firing back at a judge.
"I don’t have a problem with Derek. The producers have changed, and it’s different now," he said about the show allegedly favoring Hough in the past.
Hough fired back with his own comments, who said the accusations of favoritism "discounted my work and how much I put into teaching and choreography."
"I’ve been very fortunate with partners. But it’s not rigged," Hough said.
In fact, Hough says he was given certain partners in the past "because it seems more difficult."
"Then I ended up winning. Whatever somebody says about me, that’s a reflection on how they feel and how they are. I just say, 'Look, I’m putting in the work,'" he said.
"Dancing With the Stars" airs on ABC tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
Here are the couples that will all dance tonight: