WHAT I DIDN'T MEAN.......

[Maksim Chmerkovskiy]

Hi all.

You will probably read 'my comment' about "weight issue" that Cheryl and Lacie have. Just want to clarify that it was not what I said. It's unethical journalism when a reporter takes comments I made 6 weeks ago when talking about something different and answering a different question with a different tone and applying them to a new situation and a new question without asking me directly that new question. My comments were taken out of context and manipulated to suit a journalist's purpose and I'm disappointed that someone so close to the show and someone that all of us trust would resort to this tactic to make a story.
I apologize to both girls, for I have nothing but respect for what they do on the show and admiration for the way they help all of us bring awareness to Ballroom specifically and dancing in general. Some of you know me personally and some of you heard about me from others. I have always tried to be a role model to the youth of this country and correctly represent the world of dance that I love so much. I believe in the 'hip action', 'partnering skills', 'lead and follow', and all the things that are 'dance related'. I am known to speak my mind and criticize when I see something wrong with dancing, but I don't believe in discriminating people based on their appearances.
I do not agree with Louie's comments made in this article and want to clarify, once again, that the meaning you may get from it is furthest from my opinion on the matter.

Thank you for understanding,

Maksim

[tippie9]

I'm sorry you were taken out of context, Maksim. Body image is such a huge issue that young girls and women face, living up to standards projected by the media. It is really very sad. Thank you for addressing this.

[dancelover102]

I should be in bed, but, wow, Maks, just caught your post. It can't be pleasant for Lacie and Cheryl to be reading comments which you never made, and twice as bad for you having to apologize for something you didn't do. Celebrity journalism at its worst.

Diana

[wallflower2323]

Maks I KNEW RIGHT AWAY that you did not mean what they were trying to say. (did that makse sense) We all know how close you are especially to Cheryl and would never ever say a thing to hurt a friend. It makes me so angry when the press does stuff like this and it hurts innocent people... and then I also get angry when people believe trash like this.

Please do not let this get you down and also please know that those who have met you, those that have told others (like me) about how wonderful and caring you really are... we will be here to support you.

Thank you stopping by and putting an end to this ugly story right away... take care of yourself.

[ivory]

Thanks Maks for clearing that up..I just wish you guys should just stay away from this.Don't answer any questions about this.I love you and Cheryl together and i am already hurting for her.I can see the pain she has been going through.I know what it's like because i always get the same comments from people.Psychologically and emotionally exhausting.It is worst when it's not even true,i thought Cheryl got the hottest body and got the best look out of the women on the show.She is so gorgeous,with a great smile and sweet personality.My brother is so deeply in love with her and it is totally wrong to call her big or fat,because she is not.Curvaceous she is.What kind of image are we sending to those young women out there?She need the support from her friends not to make her feel more bad about herself.And i was really upset when i first read the article about it,but it's nice to hear you Maks correcting the mistakes.I feel better.

[wallflower2323]

I have gone over to post on the ABC boards regarding this article. It's probably a waste of time but I felt that someone had to defend you. (hope you don't mind) I get so upset with people who do things like this. People need to stop and realize the pain they can cause when they write cr*p like that article. People have been so harsh to Cheryl and jumping on Lacey too this season... Most if not all of us would kill to look like those two and to have their dancing skills to boot!!



note: I did not copy your post Maks... that was for here at the forum but I did try to explain in my words what you were telling us.

[Scribbler]

I read the story online a few hours ago and immediately recognized the hallmarks of tabloid journalism: flimsy story, suspect, disjointed quotes linked together by some sensational paraphrasing from the author in order to fit a convenient "theme".

I knew you were taken out of context, Maks, and never believed it for a second. I'm glad you acted swiftly, though, because false stories like this not only hurt people's feelings, but they can also damage one's reputation, made worse by the fact that it sounds like you were ill-served (betrayed?) by a person who handles media for the show (but I am only guessing). Totally unfair and unethical, especially when you consider that once a bogus story is printed on the internet, it spreads like an out of control wildfire.

[ROSEY]

ПРИВЕТ Maks,

It just did not make any sense that you would have said those things and I knew they were taken out of context. Ahh "journalism" - take it with a grain of salt. I'm glad that you cleared this up pronto.

Hugs,
Rosey

[LoneStar]

Demand a retraction Maks!! These so called "journalists" need to be taken down when they purposely skew comments and hurt people. They are a blight on their profession. You have the power to make enough noise to set things right, my advice is to use it!

[jennimarie]

I completely agree with Lonestar. I know that you don't like to use the 'star' status, but there are stars out there that have demanded and even sued for a retraction for much less than this. I'm so sorry that you are even having to deal with this situation at all and I hope that you know that your true fans know without a doubt that you would not say anything this hurtful to your friends. And for what it is worth, I love Cheryl's body and wish that I could look like her!!!

[bigfan]

Maks,
We all know you will speak your mind, but we also all know you too be a gentleman. I did not for one minute believe that you would say those things about anyone much less one of your best friends. I for one am shocked that the press has been so relentless over Cheryl's weight this year. Give me a break a size 4 is big? I for one am using the Latin cardio dvd to get a body like Cheryl's. It is awful that the press twists things so much.

Kim

[countrygirl]

Thank you for the clear up on being misquoted.That is one thing that always drove me nuts growing,people taking and twisting my words around to make it sound like I was trashing someone and I wasn't.Oh and by the way if people think Lacey and Cheryl are to big for their size they're crazy.I wish I could be their size.I'm about 5'3" and weigh about 185-190lbs,do I look like I do ? No,I just come from some big German stock,there is alot of muscle to me.I walk everywhere the weight goes nowhere and I eat very little.I'm as you say a typical curvaceous American woman.
Love ya all,
Sonya

[mary4st]

Hi Maks,

What a shame it is for you to have to apologize for something you did not say. Knowing the kind, gentleman that you are, I would never believe this. It's just pure garbage from the media. They are always looking for sensationalism, and some are worst than others.

Hugs,
Mary

[Lostfan]

Thanks, Maks for being honest. When I first read about this I was like oh, what now? I don't know or ever met you, but I do know from what others have said about you that you would not intentionally hurt someone's feelings. The judges on Dancing With the Stars do that enough. I also, know that Cheryl and Lacy have the body types that when you gain 5-7lbs it looks like 10lbs and with the added weight tv gives it looks much bigger.

I am still baffled with why the media and the show have to make you look like such a jerk?

Dana

[Cali Girl]

I am a firm believer that you can’t believe everything you read and when it comes to any magazine or online site reporting on the entertainment industry, I tend to believe nothing. Very few places carry any amount of credibility. Of course your site is one that carries a great deal of credibility, not only because it is overseen by people who share your vision but also because members here tend to do their due diligence. These shady journalists make their money on the hype, rumor and speculation (maybe this is where those oil speculators who inflate our gas prices retire to).

I haven’t seen the article, but I thank you for setting the record straight. You are always respectful and kind and I would never believe you said something like that. I too am disappointed and saddened that your words were manipulated and you had to apologize for this. It disgusts me how they operate.

And please tell Cheryl and Lacey that they are both absolutely beautiful in every way.