Julianne Hough made some more controversial comments in her big return as a judge on Monday night's episode of Dancing With the Stars.

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Hough caused a bit of a stir in Monday night's "Switch Up" episode of Dancing With the Stars after she accused pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy of "phoning it in" with his new partner Danica McKellar.

"I'm gonna say this because I'm the brutal Julianne that I am - I almost felt like Maks, and I'm sorry, you're Mark this year," she said, referring to Mark Ballas, who she criticized in season 17.

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"It was like this week could get past so you could be back with Meryl and you just had to phone it in so you could get back with Meryl," Hough told Chmerkovskiy.

In response, Chmerkovskiy disagreed with her comments, saying, "That was not the case but thank you." He later said that he performs every dance like it's his last.

Hough previously criticized Ballas in season 17 for hogging the spotlight too much in his dance with Christina Milian. Hough noted, "I've danced with Mark. You have to stand in front to make sure you're seen."

In Monday night's episode, Hough made a nod to her previous criticism during her statement to Ballas' new partner, Amy Purdy. Hough heavily praised Purdy before turning very serious and saying, "Now to Mark." She then explained that she was just kidding.

Dancing With the Stars season 18 airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Watch Hough's comments towards Davis and Chmerkovskiy here:

Tags: Dancing with the Stars Reality TV ABC