Maks Chmerkovskiy Addresses Brother Val Chmerkovskiy’s DWTS Suspension

Maks Chmerkovskiy Breaks Silence on Brother Val Chmerkovskiy's DWTS SuspensionMaks 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.”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 ImagesBut 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 HerbertDisney/Andrew EcclesJulia Stiles & Ezra SosaYou won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.Disney/Andrew EcclesGiada De Laurentiis & Alan BerstenThe celebrity chef couldn't cha-cha-chop away the competition and was eliminated during the Sept. 22 episode.Disney/Andrew EcclesHarry Shum Jr. & Jenna JohnsonWhat did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesTaylor Hanson & Britt StewartSadly, 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.Disney/Andrew EcclesTatyana Ali & Jan RavnikThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesJenna Dewan & Val ChmerkovskiyTwenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.Disney/Andrew EcclesAmber Glenn & Pasha PashkovThe 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesEzra Frech & Daniella KaragachThe Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesSarah Jane Nader & Hailey BillsThough her sister Brooks Nader was the fifth star to be eliminated on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star said goodbye to the competition after her debut episode on Sept. 16.Disney/Andrew EcclesConnor Wood & Rylee ArnoldThe comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesConner Leavitt & Adele ZaikmanThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star followed his wife Whitney Leavitt's footsteps after her season 34 appearance, but he bid farwell to the season 35 competition during the Sept. 15 premiere.Disney/Andrew EcclesTyler Cameron & Sharna BurgessThe Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.Disney/Andrew EcclesJackson Olson & Emma SlaterThe Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesGuillermo Rodriguez & Witney CarsonThe Jimmy Kimmel Live! star was ready to learn some new moves, but his time on DWTS was cut short on Oct. 13.Disney/Andrew EcclesCiara Miller & Brandon ArmstrongEven though Summer House star had fans screaming "bravo," she was eliminated from the competition on Oct. 6.Disney/Andrew EcclesMaura Higgins & Mark BallasThe Love Island U.K. alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn'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 Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App