‘Dancing With The Stars’ Judge Len Goodman Defends His Critique Of Hope Solo & Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Professional ballroom dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy told Access Hollywood after Monday’s “Dancing with the Stars” that he has no regrets about his harsh words for the judges — particularly, Len Goodman, and the British dance judge said he feels the same!

Len stopped by Access Hollywood Live on Tuesday to dish on Monday’s verbal spat heard round the ballroom (for a complete rundown of all the drama and action CLICK HERE!).

“I was a little bit aggrieved at the time, but now I’ve slept on it, and I’m sure Maks has slept on it,” Len told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover. “What he’s saying is so untrue. I am the defender of all the pros, I think all those professionals do a fantastic job.”

Len said despite his critique of Hope Solo and Maks’ performance (which he called Hope’s “worst dance of the whole season” and earned the pair a score of 20/30 from the judges), he has nothing but respect and love for the dancers.

“My admiration knows no bounds! To go on a show live, and doing something that you’ve never done before. I admire everyone on that show,” he continued. “What they’ve got to understand is they’re on trial, and we’re the judges. You can’t be a judge at your own trial!”

Simply put, Len said the quality of their performance is at times hard to accept.

“I tell the truth, that’s basically what I do, whether they like it or not,” he said, defending his critique of Hope. “I honestly try to be truthful and sometimes the truth hurts.”

Len also addressed Lacey Schwimmer’s claims that her partner, Chaz Bono, had also received harsh criticism and personal jabs from the judges on Monday’s show.

“I love [Chaz], why would they think that?” a puzzled Len told Billy and Kit. “They know what they’re up against! This is the 13th season. If people haven’t got the gist of what is coming, then they want to get a life… I try really hard never to be personal. I didn’t make the penguin quote, Bruno did.”

Controversy aside, Len also weighed in on Katie Couric’s recent comments that she would like to be on “DWTS,” and the veteran judge said she has his support.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he added

AH Nation Poll: Whose side are you on? Maks or the judges? Click HERE to vote!

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