Podcast Summary: Two Ts In A Pod with Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge
Episode: By Order of the Faithfuls: The Bad Boy of the Ballroom w/ Maks Chmerkovskiy
Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Wells Adams, Tamra Judge, Dolores
Guest: Maks Chmerkovskiy
Episode Overview
This episode features special guest Maks Chmerkovskiy—world-renowned ballroom dancer, "Dancing with the Stars" champion, and recent contestant on "The Traitors." The conversation dives deep into Maks’s experience across reality competition formats, his thoughts on competition, ballroom culture, upcoming projects, and plenty of behind-the-scenes insights about both "Dancing with the Stars" and "The Traitors." The hosts and Maks swap stories, share opinions on reality TV strategy, and reflect on fan culture and life off-screen.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Life After BravoCon and Fan Interactions
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BravoCon gigs:
- Tamra shares details about BravoCon logistics and pay, discussing how it’s more about the fans and additional endorsements (“activations”) than the base pay.
"For me, I look at it as, you know, giving back to the fans and meeting them and doing all those things that make our shows so popular... we get activations. Like I'm doing one with Lexus. So there's more money to be made." —Tamra (04:25)
- Tamra shares details about BravoCon logistics and pay, discussing how it’s more about the fans and additional endorsements (“activations”) than the base pay.
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Intensity of fan culture:
- Tamra and Wells joke about the intense devotion of Bravo fans, mentioning high ticket prices and quirky convention experiences.
Maks Chmerkovskiy Joins: Family & Projects
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Life update:
- Maks talks about sleep deprivation due to his kids, referencing a sick child and a hospital run:
"We haven't slept in three days... Life is life-ing on full cylinders, but you have to embrace it. Otherwise, what are we doing, you know." —Maks (08:02)
- Maks talks about sleep deprivation due to his kids, referencing a sick child and a hospital run:
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New projects:
- Maks mentions several top-secret feature film projects, hinting at new technology in entertainment but holds back on details:
"There's a twist to the latest project that's coming up that's extremely exciting... some technological moves that entertainment industry is making." —Maks (10:06)
- Maks mentions several top-secret feature film projects, hinting at new technology in entertainment but holds back on details:
Reality Competition: "Dancing with the Stars" vs. "The Traitors"
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Competitiveness Comparison:
- Maks is firm that "Dancing with the Stars" is far more competitive than "The Traitors," explaining:
"Dancing with the Stars. Zero questions... everything is so hard and so challenging and so competitive." —Maks (14:24)
- He felt stifled as a "Faithful" on "The Traitors":
"There's no strategy here. Strategy here is just hide and sort of don't get shot. And I hate that. I want to be up in front." —Maks (15:03)
- He gives insight into production manipulating challenges for dialogue:
"We were running... and they're like, hold on a second. The production was like, wait, you guys have to have more dialogue... At that point I was like, oh, okay, cool." —Maks (16:08)
- Maks is firm that "Dancing with the Stars" is far more competitive than "The Traitors," explaining:
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Casting Link:
- The casting director Dina Cat connects both shows with a sharp eye for compelling personalities.
Predictions & Analysis: "Dancing with the Stars"
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Who will win?
- Maks predicts Robert is the frontrunner, but winning depends on keeping up energy and popularity with the likely female-skewed voting audience.
"I think this is Robert's season to lose... it's not gonna be the best dancer wins. I think it's gonna be the best dancer according to who the audience like the most." —Maks (17:30)
- Mentions the roles of heart (Andy), skill (female celebrity), and showmanship in determining winner, not just technical ability.
- Maks predicts Robert is the frontrunner, but winning depends on keeping up energy and popularity with the likely female-skewed voting audience.
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Other contestants:
- Briefly mentions Dylan and Jordan Chiles as factors, warns of shocking eliminations.
Ballroom Culture & The Role of Pros
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Ballroom jobs and exclusivity:
- Maks explains why he’s so protective of pro ballroom dance slots on the show, pushing back when someone is cast without traditional ballroom training.
"If there are only five spots for a male ballroom dancer available... why not get a male ballroom dancer who is also fantastic in other stuff?" —Maks (24:09)
- Maks explains why he’s so protective of pro ballroom dance slots on the show, pushing back when someone is cast without traditional ballroom training.
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Controversy over a new pro dancer:
- Maks clarifies his previous critical opinions were about qualifications and not personal, citing the delicacy of public commentary in a world where "nowadays everybody has a podcast."
"My criticism was not out of left field... I'm just a professional with an opinion." —Maks (22:01)
- Maks clarifies his previous critical opinions were about qualifications and not personal, citing the delicacy of public commentary in a world where "nowadays everybody has a podcast."
Reflections on "The Traitors" & What Maks Would Do Differently
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Would he return?
- Now that he knows the format, Maks would love a second shot—and would want to play more strategically and socially.
"If I were to come back and do it again, it would be now as someone who knows exactly what the show is, and exactly how to try and play it." —Maks (29:19)
- Now that he knows the format, Maks would love a second shot—and would want to play more strategically and socially.
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Lessons learned:
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Maks regrets forming an immediate tight bond with Deontay, which inadvertently led to his elimination, and confesses to not being aggressive enough socially in groups.
"I would have been more vocal in groups... There were a few groups of people that I did not interact with." —Maks (31:20)
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Admits he was naive, thinking he wouldn’t be targeted:
"I was sure 100 percent nobody’s gonna point a finger at me." —Maks (32:12)
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Missed opportunities:
- Tamra jokes that if Maks had played up his entertaining persona—dancing with his cane, befriending everyone—he might have lasted longer.
"You should have been dancing with people." —Tamra (32:43)
- Maks laments unscreened fun moments:
"I've done a lot of that. They didn't show me any of that." —Maks (32:49)
- Tamra jokes that if Maks had played up his entertaining persona—dancing with his cane, befriending everyone—he might have lasted longer.
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Return as Faithful or Traitor?
- Maks is open to any role now that he understands the game:
"At this point, I would come back as anything, you know, because now I know. Okay, I get it. I get it." —Maks (34:18)
- Maks is open to any role now that he understands the game:
Who Would Make a Good Traitor From DWTS?
- Speculation:
- Maks thinks his brother Val would be a solid player due to his alliance-building and social skills.
"I think Val would be a good player... His language skills are such that he can befriend you... For me, it takes a little longer because my actions—they're gonna show you later down the line that I am this, this, and that." —Maks (35:55)
- Maks thinks his brother Val would be a solid player due to his alliance-building and social skills.
Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps
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On the intensity of fan conventions:
Tamra: “It's $1,500 a ticket for VIP—and it sells out in 60 seconds.” (05:21) -
On embracing life’s chaos:
Maks: “Life is life-ing on full cylinders, but you have to embrace it. Otherwise, what are we doing, you know.” (08:02) -
On the difference between the shows:
Wells: "What’s more competitive: Dancing with the Stars or The Traitors?"
Maks: "Dancing with the Stars. Zero questions." (14:21) -
On reality-show strategy:
Maks: “Strategy here is just hide and sort of don't get shot. And I hate that. I want to be up in front." (15:03) -
On casting pros:
Maks: "If there are only five spots for a male ballroom dancer available... why not get a male ballroom dancer who is also fantastic in other stuff?" (24:09) -
On "The Traitors" gameplay regrets:
Maks: “I would have been more vocal in groups... There were a few groups of people that I did not interact with." (31:20)
Key Segment Timestamps
- [03:32] - Hosts settle in, Tamra discusses BravoCon and fan engagement
- [06:45] - Maks joins, talk turns to family, new projects, and being present
- [14:01] - Competitive differences between DWTS and The Traitors
- [17:19] - Maks predicts DWTS winner, audience voting dynamics
- [21:03] - DWTS’s 20th anniversary, returning pros, show legacy
- [22:01] - Maks on controversy regarding new pro dancer casting
- [27:58] - Maks asked: Would he do The Traitors again? What would he do differently?
- [30:10] - Strategy regrets, being too socially neutral
- [34:30] - Faithful or Traitor? Returning with new strategy
- [35:32] - Who from DWTS would be good at The Traitors?
Tone, Style & Atmosphere
The episode is candid, conversational, and full of playful ribbing. The hosts make Maks comfortable, coaxing honest admissions, inside stories, and a couple of confessions about being misunderstood publicly. There’s a mix of humor (jokes about murder-mystery cruises, dancing with canes), self-deprecation, reality TV meta-commentary, and reality-world camaraderie. Maks’s passion for dance and his protectiveness over ballroom’s place in pop culture shine through, balanced by the easy banter of the hosts.
For New Listeners
This episode is valuable for:
- Fans of competitive reality shows—offering inside baseball beyond TV edits.
- DWTS and The Traitors super-fans—unique strategy and casting insight.
- Anyone curious about the culture/fan-favorite personalities behind hit reality franchises.
If you want to understand what really happens behind the scenes—and how the stars themselves think about playing the game, this is a must-listen episode!