Get ready for a Chmerkovskiy showdown! Maksim Chmerkovskiy is set to ignite season 23 of Dancing with the Stars as he makes a highly anticipated comeback to the ballroom, ready to compete head-to-head against his brother, Valentin.
After a four-season hiatus from his role as a dance pro on the beloved ABC reality competition, Maksim’s return was officially announced on Good Morning America on Thursday morning, sending fans into a frenzy of excitement.
“The last 12 years of my life had some sort of relationship to the show,” Maksim shared on GMA, expressing his deep connection to Dancing with the Stars. “I just wanted this to continue … the feeling and positivity.” His words highlight the enduring passion and positive experience he associates with the show, drawing him back to the dance floor.
Addressing the sibling rivalry aspect, Maksim playfully acknowledged Valentin’s established presence on the show. “We’ve done that before for a bit of time,” Maksim said, referring to previous instances of competing against his brother. “He’s become the star of the star and that’s not going to change when I come in and do my thing … I’m excited. I never had this … the way everything came together as a pro this season.” This sets the stage for a compelling brotherly competition, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming season.
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Rumors of Maksim’s return began swirling when a photo surfaced on social media featuring the dancer alongside TV personality Amber Rose. The snapshot, seemingly taken in DWTS wardrobe, fueled speculation among eager fans.
The image, showing Rose in a dazzling purple sequined dress posing for a selfie with Chmerkovskiy in a sleek black suit, quickly gained traction online. One fan enthusiastically tweeted, “Maks and Amber what I thought he was doooooonnne [I guess] I was wrong,” capturing the surprise and excitement of many who believed Maksim had permanently stepped away from the show.
Joining Maks and Val in season 23 are a stellar lineup of returning pro dancers, including Witney Carson, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Lindsay Arnold, Sasha Farber, Allison Holker, and Gleb Savchenko. These familiar faces, announced earlier on GMA, promise to deliver their signature moves and choreography to the ballroom once again. Adding to the star power, Olympian Ryan Lochte is also confirmed to be competing this season, as previously reported by PEOPLE.
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Mark your calendars! Dancing with the Stars season 23 is scheduled to premiere on September 12 on ABC. Get ready for dazzling performances, fierce competition, and the highly anticipated Chmerkovskiy brother battle as Maksim and Valentin vie for the coveted Mirrorball trophy.
