Get ready for some exciting family competition on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars! After taking a break for four seasons from the dance floor as a professional competitor, Maksim Chmerkovskiy is officially making his grand return to the popular ABC dance competition. This season is set to be extra special as Maks will be competing head-to-head against his younger brother, the current Dancing with the Stars sensation, Valentin Chmerkovskiy.
The exciting news of Maks’s return was revealed on Good Morning America on Thursday morning, sending waves of excitement through the DWTS fanbase. Maks himself expressed his enthusiasm about rejoining the show, highlighting his deep connection with Dancing with the Stars over the past twelve years. He shared, “The last 12 years of my life had some sort of relationship to the show. I just wanted this to continue … the feeling and positivity.” His words clearly show his passion for the show and his eagerness to bring his energy back to the ballroom.
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Addressing the prospect of competing against his brother Val, Maksim acknowledged their past experiences of friendly rivalry. “We’ve done that before for a bit of time,” Maksim stated. He also playfully recognized Val’s established position on the show, adding, “He’s become the star of the star and that’s not going to change when I come in and do my thing.” Despite the brotherly competition, Maks emphasized his excitement about this new chapter, “I’m excited. I never had this … the way everything came together as a pro this season.” Fans are already buzzing about the dynamic the Chmerkovskiy brothers will bring to season 23, anticipating both fierce competition and heartwarming brotherly moments.
Speculation about Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s return had already begun swirling among eagle-eyed fans after a photo surfaced on social media. The image showed Maks alongside TV host Amber Rose, seemingly dressed in dazzling DWTS costumes. This fueled rumors and hopes among viewers, who were eager to see Maks back in action.
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One enthusiastic fan captured the sentiment perfectly in a tweet, “Maks and Amber what I thought he was doooooonnne [I guess] I was wrong,” accompanied by the circulating photo of Amber Rose in a stunning purple sequined dress taking a selfie with Chmerkovskiy, who looked dapper in a black suit. This fan reaction highlights the excitement and anticipation surrounding Maks’s comeback to Dancing with the Stars.
Joining Maks and Val in season 23 are a stellar lineup of returning professional dancers. Fan favorites Witney Carson, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Lindsay Arnold, Sasha Farber, Allison Holker, and Gleb Savchenko have all been confirmed to return, ensuring another season packed with talent and breathtaking performances. Adding to the star power, it has also been confirmed by PEOPLE that Olympian Ryan Lochte will be joining the celebrity contestants this season, promising to bring a competitive edge from the world of sports to the dance floor.
Mark your calendars! Dancing with the Stars season 23 is scheduled to premiere on September 12th on ABC. Get ready to witness the Chmerkovskiy brothers battle it out for the Mirrorball trophy and see all your favorite pros light up the dance floor once again!
