Denise, Maks talk about tough ‘Dancing’ days

Denise Richards said goodbye to “Dancing With the Stars” on Wednesday night, alongside professional partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy. But, after all the footage shown of the pair during their difficult rehearsals, is Richards relieved she no longer has to dance with Chmerkovskiy?

“Oh I love him,” Richards told Access Hollywood after she was voted off the show on Tuesday night.

While her parting words were kind, Access has learned that Richards and Chmerkovskiy’s partnership wasn’t always a love fest. From the very first episode, it appeared the two were having problems. But according to Access sources, things got worse, including claims that Chmerkovskiy was very harsh on Richards during the practice sessions. So bad, at times, their rehearsals would have to end.

“He’s a very tough teacher,” Richards told Billy Bush. “He was working with someone who had absolutely no dance experience, so I’m sure at times, it’s gotta be hard for the pros to work with celebrities who don’t have any dancing background. But I had fun with him. He had a very funny side that a lot of people don’t get to see. This is his world and he’s a very disciplined dancer and I give him a lot of credit.”

Additionally, Richards denied claims that Chmerkovskiy was verbally abusive toward her.

“Oh Billy… no,” she said. “They have to be a little tough. He wants me to do well, he wants us to go out there and do well together.”

And Chmerkovskiy himself said he learned from his time with the actress.

“Certain things got in the way and we learned our lessons,” he told Access. “I can’t be one way with different people. I have to adapt and adjust to their personalities and all that and thank you (Denise) for teaching me that.”