Chris Soules and pro partner Witney Carson's performance failed to impress the "Dancing with the Stars" judges on Monday night.
One of the panel's main criticisms for the "Bachelor" was that he seemed to lack chemistry with Witney – something Chris denies.
"My chemistry with Witney is great and the dancing chemistry that we do have is really good. I think whatever they saw was not a reflection of the chemistry that we do have," Chris told Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson after the show.
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And the reality star slammed the notion that he may be 'holding back' in his dancing so as not to disrespect his fiancee, Whitney Bischoff.
"I'm not holding back. We both get that this is a performance – this isn't all about a relationship. I can separate my relationship with my fiancee as opposed to my relationship dancing Witney and focus on the two," he said. "There's no reason to hold back. When I'm performing, I'm giving everything I have to her and our performance."
The 33-year-old farmer did admit the performance wasn't their best, but gave an explanation for what happened.
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"I didn't have the best dress rehearsal prior to this – it went pretty poorly," he said. "I just kind of blanked a third of the way through and I was a little hesitant at the beginning because I was thinking too much. And when I do that, my face doesn't portray the chemistry that we do have, and that I can give.
"So I think [the judges] saw what our chemistry really is toward the end [of the dance], but unfortunately, I didn't come out with that," he continued. "I think that's where the comments came from."
The ballroom couple will take on the quick step for next week's Disney night – and Chris hinted that viewers may get to see him shirtless.
"[Get your] tickets to the gun show," he laughed, while flexing his biceps.
"Dancing with the Stars" continues Monday at 8/7c on ABC.
-- Erin O'Sullivan
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