Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Former ‘DWTS’ Co-star Audrina Patridge Believes Hope Solo's Claims are False

Reality star Audrina Patridge defends her Season 11 "Dancing with the Stars" costar, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, against defamatory statements made by Olympic gold medalist Hope Solo.

In her memoir, "Solo: A Memoir of Hope," Solo claims Chmerkovskiy slapped her across the face and slapped her stomach.

Patridge said she does not believe Solo's statements are true.

"Maks can be aggressive... (but) I wouldn't ever say he'd ever hit anyone," the ex-The Hills star told Celebuzz.

Solo also claimed that Chmerkovskiy cussed at her and was overly critical.

"He just knows what he wants and that's just his personality," explained the 27-year-old, who was paired with pro dancer Tony Dovolani in 2010. (Chmerkovskiy danced with R&B and pop recording artist Brandy during that same series.) "He's very blunt and he knows what he wants - he wants to do good. He's not grey, he's either black and white."

Patridge also added, "He can be really sweet, too."

According to Solo's memoir, during a rehearsal for the Halloween show, Chmerkovskiy grew frustrated and angry with his partner. "He wanted my head in a specific position. To achieve that, he slapped me across the face. Hard."

Solo claims that Chmerkovskiy later apologized and that the ABC network offered her a new partner after the incident. However, Solo said she did not want to end his career nor did she want to come across as a "prima donna."

Chmerkovskiy has denied his former partner's allegations completely.

During an appearance on "Chelsea Lately," Solo said she didn't physical respond to his slap because of the camera, fearing that the final edit would make her look as if she were "the bad guy."

So instead, she said she took off her mic "and threw it and left the studio."

All of the "DWTS" professionals are vying for the same thing: the mirror ball trophy, Patridge said. 

"They're all very competitive," she told Celebuzz. "They want to win."

Regardless of the controversy, Chmerkovskiy will be back on the dance floor partner with Kirstie Alley for Season 15: All-Star.