Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy issues warning to 'arrogant' AJ Pritchard

Lauren DuBois Thu, July 23, 2026 at 7:50 PM UTC

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Val Chmerkovskiy has stern words for AJ Pritchard (Image: Getty)

Val Chmerkovskiy isn't mincing his words when it comes to contestants on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, even issuing a stern warning for one about their "arrogance" after the competition's most recent episode.

The Dancing With the Stars pro and three-time champ, 40, has partnered with Season 34 competitor Danielle Fishel to dissect the ABC sister show that will end with one competitor being given a job as a new pro on Season 35.

While fans have been mixed about the show, with some calling it a "Temu" version of the original series, the pros have all been dialed in, with some even appearing as mentors.

It comes after Dancing With the Stars' Derek Hough issued a warning to contestants.

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Now, after analyzing the second episode with Fishel on the Steppin' on Toes podcast, Chmerkovskiy had tough critiques for competitors.

Singling out AJ Pritchard, he warned the 31-year-old was potentially "making good TV at his [own] expense."

Chmerkovskiy had a stern warning for AJ pritchard and his 'arrogance' (Image: ABC)

"I wish he just kind of wrapped that arrogance into a softer present, you know," Chmerkovskiy said. "I get it, you did your thing, you won some awards, but so did [Natalie Jolley, a six-time U.K. open champion]. Right"

"We've all got pedigree. Everybody's won something."

His commentary came after the episode saw the competitors paired off for a storytelling challenge, where they were tasked with deciding whose personal story they wanted to tell through their choreography and communicate to the judges through dance.

Pritchard partnered with Selena Hamilton, and the pair chose Pritchard's story about winning the British Open Dance Championship, a stark contrast to the other pairs' stories, which focused on grief and overcoming adversity.

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Pritchard was criticized for his work with Selena Hamilton (Image: ABC)

Pritchard was also notably intense in his critiques of his partner during their rehearsals, at times using his own feet to correct her and insisting on certain steps.

Noting that Pritchard previously competed as a pro for three seasons on DWTS' U.K. counterpart, Strictly Come Dancing, Chmerkovskiy added that he feels that plays a role in Pritchard's approach to the show thus far, though it isn't an excuse for the way he handles things.

"I appreciate that he's a well-accomplished competitive dancer, and he does have experience. I understand if he's coming in with this feeling of, I'm not going to say entitlement, I don't want to use that word, but...kind of like, 'What am I even doing here? Why do I have to go through this process if I already I know I'm good enough?'"

"Dude, then don't sign up for the show. But if you are going to show up, you've got to have humility in the sense that you've got to prove yourself. There's a reason why you're here and no longer have a job there-so be here, be present, don't live in the past."

Pritchard also received criticism during the episode from head judge Shirley Ballas (Image: ABC)

He also echoed the critiques head judge Shirley Ballas gave him, calling him out for performing a Juve two weeks in a row and recycling the same moves in both routines.

"You need to come here with some creativity; it won't wash in the United States," she warned him.

Despite the critiques, Pritchard remains in the competition, with Nina Mayster and Benji Castro landing as the couple in jeopardy. The judges then sent Castro home.

Dancing With the Stars: The Next pro airs Mondays on ABC.

Meanwhile, the Dancing with the Stars spin-off sparked a huge complaint from viewers.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”