Tonight marks the return of Dancing With the Stars and the return of pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy! The daddy-to-be talked about past season scandals, his relationship with Peta Murgatroyd and more.
Maksim revealed to Us Weekly about why he decided to return to DWTS after sitting out two seasons. “I was on tour with my brother Val this summer. I finished, dillydallied for a while, and I was like, “I want to move a little! So, short of taking f–king salsa lessons, I might as well go do Dancing With the Stars!” My tenure on DWTS was constantly tumultuous. There was always negativity. But this tour was a very cathartic experience. It focused on life through dance, how we got here. Things that bothered me before no longer did.”
When asked about his past accusations that the show unfairly favors Derek Hough, Maks says that the behind the scenes people have changed, so things are much different. “I just literally said everything that everybody else thinks. Listen, I don’t have a problem with Derek. The producers have changed, and it’s different now.”
Maksim then explains that he is no longer “allowed” to be friends with former partner Kirstie Alley, due to his friendship with former Scientologist Leah Remini. “Scientology happened. You can thank Leah Remini for that. A note was sent to a friend telling me I was “disconnected,” as in, I am no longer allowed to be Kirstie’s friend. I find it ridiculous for an adult human being to “disconnect” from someone. But everyone is entitled to their own insanity.”
On that nasty Hope Solo rumor (she accused Maks of being rough with her). “That lie generated so much publicity, my grandmother was getting death threats! And nobody had my back, nobody helped with the situation. I felt betrayed.”
On partner-pro romances, Maksim says there was never any truth to him dating Meryl Davis. “We never were together. It got to the point where we didn’t even know how to continue saying, “No, we’re not dating.” The funny thing is, I’m engaged, I have a baby coming, and there are still people who think Maks and Meryl can be a thing!”
Maksim DID date (and was engaged to) fellow pro dancer Karina Smirnoff, but he says it’s not an issue. “It’s a very incestuous group. It’s not awkward at all. I’m a very easy person when it comes to not giving f–ks. I don’t know how to put it any other way. I got Peta, so why would it be awkward?”
Derek Hough and Cheryl Burke also shared their two cents on a slew of topics in the same interview. Check it out on Us Mag’s site.
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT TONIGHT’S SEASON KICK-OFF? WHO ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO FOLLOWING?
Photo Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin
