Maksim Denies Criticizing Cheryl Burke's Weight...

DWTS contestants Burke's and Lacey Schwimmer's weight came into the spotlight recently when her fellow 'Dancing' pros Louis Van Amstel and Maksim Chmerkovskiy commented on how she gained a few pounds. Now Maksim Chmerkovskiy has denied his statement telling PEOPLE his reported comments were "taken completely out of context. I am outspoken but I do not discriminate how people look," Chmerkovskiy, 28, says. "That's the great thing about ballroom - unlike jazz and ballet - it doesn't discriminate. People of all shapes and sizes and levels of ability can take part in ballroom dancing." "I never criticized Cheryl or Lacey," Chmerkovskiy says.

He is receiving mails from his fans telling him to quit the dance and go back to his country. He is most worried about the fact that this incidence is very much effecting the people who love to dance. He says everything is fine now and he is performing with Cheryl next week. "I am a big promoter of being healthy and physical activity, but in my business, I do not condemn how people look," he says. "It's sad how all of this got spun."

(Source: people.com)