I had also read the interview that Maks had given that despite Kristy being a great dancer, she will not win because there are more women viewers who would rather vote for a man than see a woman succeed which is a very one dimensional viewpoint to group all women into this category. I'm sure there are some women who act this way, but most do not and I personally have voted for both men and women throughout the seasons.

There are two main aspects to consider as to what each winner possesses. One is of course good dancing skills as with consistent high marks of first or second place that even without the viewer votes, the chances are you will make it into the semi-finals. If you slip for a week though, you may go home like Sabrina last season. Second is your likeability as Marisa had proven this season. Viewers enjoy the immense appreciation and excitement that she shown each week with 8s and 9s and kept her around for a few weeks longer despite being in the bottom whereas once Shannon ranted at the judges, she went home shortly after. Kristy had both which is the reason why she did win and was most deserving. In the past seasons, Drew, Emmitt, and Apolo also exhibited the great dancing skills AND the humbleness to make the viewers root for them. I didn't even know who Apolo was before DWTS but loved him and was rooting for him to win halfway through based on his humbleness and appreciation.

I felt that Maks' comments was due to his past experiences with both Laila and Mel B. But before blaming the women voters for their losses, lets look in the mirror first. I think Maks is a great choreographer of set dances but with both seasons, the freestyles that he choreographed were underwhelming and did not showcase his partners as much as they showed him off. This was the main reason why Laila didn't make it to the final 2. With Mel B. the underwhelming freestyle coupled with not having the likeability aspect due to judgment based on her past actions resulted in her lost.

So Maks in response to your interview, if you are lucky enough to have a partner that possesses the two qualities, make sure to choreograph a routine that showcases your partners ability in the freestyle round. The partner you get is a luck of the draw and you have been lucky enough to get a partner in each season that gave it a 100%. Take a page from Edyta's book and just enjoy the opportunity regardless.