‘DWTS’ pro Val Chmerkovskiy puts ‘Next Pro’ contestant’s ‘arrogance’ on blast

Val Chmerkovskiy is not a fan of “Next Pro” contestant AJ Pritchard.

“The Dancing With The Stars” pro slammed Pritchard for the “arrogance” he showed throughout this week’s episode of “Next Pro,” especially behind-the-scenes with his partner, Serena Hamilton.

Calling it a “huge turn-off,” he told co-host Danielle Fishel on Tuesday’s episode of their “Stepping On Toes” podcast, “It makes good TV at his expense. I wish he wrapped that arrogance into a little softer presentation.”

During Episode 2, Pritchard and Hamilton performed a jive routine inspired by his win at the British Open Dance Championship in 2015, which Chmerkovskiy described as the “Wimbledon of dance.”

“We all got pedigree. Everybody’s won something,” the three-time “DWTS” champion, 40, continued in the podcast. “If you are going to show up, you gotta have humility in the sense that you got to prove yourself right now.

“I appreciate that he’s a well-accomplished competitive dancer and he does have experience already at this job — he had this job,” Chmerkovskiy continued, referencing Pritchard being a pro on “Strictly Come Dancing” from 2016 to 2019.

“There’s a reason why you’re here and no longer have a job there. So to be here, be present. Don’t live in the past,” Chmerkovskiy added, explaining he wants Pritchard to focus on the current competition and get rid of his overconfidence.

The “DWTS” pro further pointed out that Pritchard, 31, using his foot to push Hamilton’s hip back to correct her was a “huge turn-off.”

“You’re not going to win people over unless they’re into that kind of thing,” he continued, sharing that viewers and judges are not going to appreciate those actions if they continue.

Though Chmerkovskiy is not a judge on “Next Pro,” he has been a pro on “DWTS” for 20 seasons.

Since kickstarting his run in Season 13 in 2011, he has brought home the Mirrorball Trophy three times with partners Rumer Willis, Laurie Hernandez and Xochitl Gomez, respectively.

In the most recent Season 34, he and contestant Alix Earle finished second, with Robert Irwin and Witney Carson arriving in first place.

The winner of “Next Pro” will earn a spot to compete as a pro in Season 35 of “DWTS.”

“Next Pro” airs on Monday nights at 8 P.M. ET on ABC.