Former “Dancing With the Stars” pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy is making his stance clear about a potential return to the ballroom. In a new interview with Access Hollywood, the longtime DWTS veteran said he does not see himself stepping back into the competition again. “I think the boat has sailed. I think my comeback is in the distant past,” he said, marking a firm decision after nearly a decade away from the series.

Chmerkovskiy competed on the show for 17 seasons, beginning in season 2 and dancing his final routine in season 25. He appeared in the finale five times and won once alongside Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis in season 18. Throughout those years, he became one of the franchise’s most recognizable pros, known for his competitive spirit, choreography style, and on-camera presence.

The series also played a major role in his personal life. Chmerkovskiy met fellow pro Peta Murgatroyd on the show, and the two later married in 2017. They now share three sons — Shai, Rio, and Milan — which he says is one of the biggest reasons he cannot imagine returning to the show’s demanding schedule. According to People, he explained that performing on DWTS while raising young kids would be “very tough” and no longer aligns with where he is in life.

Family Life and the Show’s Evolving Format Are Key Factors

In addition to family responsibilities, Chmerkovskiy pointed to the changing format of DWTS as another reason he doesn’t believe a return makes sense. Per People, he said the competition has become heavily influenced by social media engagement, something he struggles to picture himself participating in. “I can’t fathom doing so much social media, and without it, how do you win?” he told the outlet.

He referenced season 34 winner Robert Irwin, who holds a major TikTok following, as an example of how online influence now plays a significant role in the show’s outcome. Chmerkovskiy noted that while he still feels physically capable of performing, the atmosphere and expectations surrounding the competition have shifted into territory he does not feel connected to.

Despite stepping away from the ballroom, Chmerkovskiy remains active in the dance world. He has appeared as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance, regularly shares dance content with Murgatroyd, and continues to comment on DWTS episodes and performances.

He recently made headlines for critiquing new pro Jan Ravnik’s ballroom technique, later apologizing and expressing hope they could move forward positively, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Chmerkovskiy Says He Has Moved On — and So Has the Show

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Although fans often speculate about whether the fan-favorite pro might ever return to DWTS, Chmerkovskiy says he is now focused on new creative endeavors and family life. He emphasized that his decision is not about ability but about finding the right place for himself in the present version of the show.

“I’m looking forward to so much more dancing out of my body,” he told Access Hollywood, adding that while he respects the series, he believes both he and DWTS have evolved in different directions.

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During “DWTS” host Alfonso Ribeiro’s December 10 appearance on the “Jennifer Hudson Show,” he revealed a heartwarming story about how Mark Ballas stepped in to help when one celebrity contestant nearly spiraled into a panic backstage this past season. Alfonso was talking about the outstanding camaraderie he witnessed as the cast prepared for a team dance when he said”Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel, who was partnered with Pasha Pashkov, started to “freak out” moments before the show went on the air for the week 8 team challenge on November 4.

The “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star explained that as they geared up for the team dance, he witnessed pros being supportive “even with other people’s partners.” He recalled, “There was a beautiful moment with Danielle Fishel and Mark Ballas where she was freaking out literally seconds before we went live to do the dance, and he literally calmed her down. He pulled her into a hug and was like, ‘Just breathe. Breathe into me.’ I watched her go from trembling to getting solid, and then we went out there and killed it.”

Who Won the Freestyle Team challenge on ‘DWTS’ Season 34?

The Freestyle Team Challenge took place on “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night,” with the entire cast split into two groups for an intense showdown. Hosts Alfonso and Julianne Hough each danced with one of the teams. Alfonso’s team, dubbed “Team Chicago,” ultimately triumphed with perfect score of 40/40. They danced to the song “25 or 6 to 4.”

Julianne’s “Team Kool” finished two points behind, after performing to “Celebration.”

Mark Ballas Reflected On Season 34

Mark and his partner, “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt, were eliminated in week 10, just missing qualification for the finale.

Afterwards, they reacted to the cut, which many fans found shocking. “It was definitely worth it. I would do it all again,” Whitney said of the sacrifice and scrutiny that comes with appearing on such a popular reality TV show. She also said the experience brough her “so much closer” to her husband, Conner Leavitt, praising him for the fact that he “really picked up the slack” of tending to the kids, keeping the house clean, and plalying “stay-at-home-dad” alone. Whitney is a mom of three, including a one-year-old baby.

Mark related to Whitney about juggling “DWTS” with parenthood, saying, “Mine is two. Just turned two. And I have to shout my wife out for the same things.” He added, “It’s taxing and hard on the body. We both have partners that have just been there for us. So it’s been incredible.”

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“Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer Rylee Arnold has shared an exciting update with her fans: she is welcoming a new family member. And much to the delight of her fans, she is sharing this journey with them.

Rylee Arnold Shares Her New Puppy with the World 

Arnold posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday, December 9, that gave fans a glimpse into her life. It shows her looking into the camera, a look of pure joy on her face, as she prepares to pick up her new puppy. The clip shows her becoming emotional while the little dog lovingly licks at her face and snuggles up to her. She looks like a proud mama as she holds her new baby. In the caption, she wrote, “Entering a new era and I’m so happy.” 

Fans have reacted to the post with loving messages, including one from fellow “Dancing with the Stars” pro Alan Bersten, who is also the proud owner of a beloved pet. “Honestly, the best thing ever!!! Congrats,” he wrote. 

“Omgggggggh,” pros Sasha Farber reacted, and Jenna Johnson wrote, “Omgggggg.” 

Fan reactions include, “Rylee!! Oh my goodness! That is the cutest puppy I’ve ever seen. Love seeing you in your dog mom era,” “Omgg no wayyy!! So funny that we were just talking about this! Congrats,” and “best era ever.” 

Rylee Arnold Shares Sweet Update

A few hours later, Arnold updated fans with a TikTok video showing her sweet new pet. She can be seen snuggling her while updating fans. “I’m obsessed with her,” she tells the cameras, revealing that she had been thinking about getting a dog for a long time and that she had been searching “for the perfect puppy.”

Arnold was able to take home her puppy for the first time, and she felt she was “perfect.” She informed fans that she had not yet chosen a name for her “new baby.”

“I have a lot of top options, and I’ve been calling her different names, but nothing is sticking,” she said, asking fans to continue sending suggestions. Before getting her puppy, Arnold revealed she had done extensive research and that it was a good time to become a dog mom because it was the off-season for DWTS. 

Arnold also revealed that she would like to have her dog serve as her Type 1 Diabetes service dog and that she is “the perfect breed for it” because she is so “smart.”

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“Dancing with the Stars” Season 33 alum Jenn Tran, who competed alongside professional dancer Sasha Farber, shared a glimpse into what she has been up to these days, and she looks incredible! 

Jenn Tran Makes a Style Statement

Tran posted several photos on Instagram showing her at events, eating tasty food, attending conferences, and getting glammed up by a makeup team. The first photo is the most eye-catching though and it shows Tran wearing a stunning black sheer dress. She also posted several other pictures of this dress, so fans can see it from all angles. It fits her perfectly, and although it is a daring choice, it looks so good!

In the caption, she wrote, “Not pictured: me studying for finals all week and in class for 8 hours a day.” 

The comment section has come alive and fans have been eager to share their thoughts. “YOU LOOK AMAZINGGGG,” a comment reads. “Jenn tran has never owned a bad dress in her life,” another person shared. Other reactions include, “Love your dress that you wore at the Nylon party!!!,” “You’re an INSPO,” and “STUNNING.”

Jenn Tran Discusses Her Style 

Tran is celebrated for her sense of style and her wardrobe is impressive! She is not only fashionable but daring, and at times, she has opted for dresses and tops that look like they could easily slip down, like many of the dresses she wore on “The Bachelor” season starring Joey Graziadei, and later her own “The Bachelorette” season. Interestingly, Tran and Graziadei were on DWTS at the same time, and while she placed seventh, he went on to win the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 33.

She discussed her outfits in an interview with Parade in August 2024, and revealed how she avoided wardrobe malfunctions by using “so many different boobage [aids]” and noting that for each dress, “you accommodate accordingly.” 

When starring on “The Bachelorette,” Tran had wowed with her gorgeous dresses, and she is definitely a fan of dressing up. “I wear scrubs to work but I’m someone who loves to dress up;” she told Parade. “My closet is full of dresses that I probably have never worn. I think they look really pretty and then I don’t have an event to wear them to. So I am like a dress collector.”

She continued, “It’s really nice because my friends come over and they always have a dress for whatever occasion that they need. They don’t have to go shopping. They shop in my closet.”

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“Dancing With the Stars” host and season 19 winner, Alfonso Ribeiro, showed off his moves on Wednesday, December 10, as he appeared for an interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show. In keeping with tradition at the talk show, Ribeiro danced his way down what the show has dubbed “The Spirit Tunnel” while Hudson’s staff joyfully hyped him up.

The staff typically performs a jingle for each guest, and Alfonso’s chant today went, “Alfonso’s here! Here at the happy place!” before transitioning to, “Alfonso Ribeiro is here at J-Hud Show!”

The “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star moved down the hallway in a sharp black suit which he accented with a pink pocket square.

Fans Were Delighted at Alfonso’s Dance, But Called Him Out for Skipping a Major Move

Fans loved Alfonso’s dance, but jokingly clamored that he should have hit the Carlton, the iconic dance move he popularized during his “Fresh Prince” days. One fan commented on the video, “He’s intentionally not hitting the Carlton at this point. Grad A trolling lol.”

Another exclaimed, “We needed to see the Carlton dance!”

Someone else chimed in, “Buddy still got it. Best entrance to this date and nobody will ever come close,” while another joked, “How you come to the happy place & NOT hit the Carlton. I never been so disappointed!”

Alfonso Reflected On Epic Teamwork in Season 34

In his Jennifer Hudson interview, Alfonso spoke about the teamwork chemistry and good vibes he felt with his comrades during the Team Challenge, which took place during Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on November 4. He shared, “We had a great group this year. Our team was Jordan Chiles, Danielle Fishel, Whitney Levitt, and Dylan Efron, and we were great!” He went on to reveal the greatest thing about working with his teammates, saying, “Our pros were so collaborative. Everybody was like, ‘Yes! Oh that’s a great idea!’ Nobody’s ego got in the way.” He joked that he wasn’t trying to call out the other teams for needing an ego check, but joked, “I have seen it.”

The dad of four went on, “It was really just enjoyable to sit back and watch them create. They were supportive even with other people’s partners.”

This recently-concluded season 34 marks Witney Carson’s second “Dancing With the Stars” win. She and her partner, 22-year-old Robert Irwin, claimed the Mirror Ball Trophy. As fans know, Witney first win was in 2014 when she was partnered with Alfonso. Parade says Witney credited Irwin for helping reignite her passion for dance that had been lost in recent years since her first win over a decade ago.

“It meant the world to me to win, and not only because I feel like it’s been a really long time, like, all of my efforts for the last 10 years, just the loss after loss after loss, it can get really hard and really defeating,” she said.

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Dylan Efron is clearing the air after a now-viral moment involving his brother Zac Efron took over “Dancing With the Stars” fans’ timelines. During a new appearance on SiriusXM’s “Smith Sisters Live,” the former DWTS competitor explained that Zac’s reaction to his semifinal score was completely taken out of context, despite the internet spending weeks guessing what the actor said on camera.

According to Dylan, Zac was not shading the judges or questioning his brother’s performance. Instead, the 38-year-old actor was simply confused that Dylan and his pro partner, Daniella Karagach, received a score he believed was too low. “I thought it was funny, but then Zac was like, ‘Oh no, they’re misinterpreting it,’” Dylan said per People. He added that Zac genuinely thought the dance deserved more points and was surprised the judges landed on a 27 for their Prince-themed tango to “I Would Die 4 U.”

Fans online immediately began lip-reading Zac’s reaction after the Nov. 18 episode, with some insisting he asked, “Is that a good score?” while others believed he said, “Is that the high score?” Dylan told the hosts that neither interpretation was correct, saying Zac was reacting out of surprise rather than criticism. “I think he was more like, ‘That should have been higher,’” Dylan explained. “Zac got defensive. He’s like, ‘No, they misinterpreted what I meant.’”

The clip, which showed Zac seated in the audience with their mom, Starla Baskett, and Dylan and Zac’s younger sister Olivia, quickly made its way across social media. The moment also sparked jokes from the hosts, who called Zac’s reaction peak “big brother energy.”

Zac’s Long-Awaited ‘DWTS’ Appearance Became a Viral Event

Zac’s attendance at the semifinals was already a major event on its own. Fans had spent weeks publicly pleading for him to show up, according to Page Six, and the Nov. 18 live episode finally delivered. The “High School Musical” alum sat close to the dance floor with 5-year-old Olivia on his lap as Dylan and Karagach competed in their tenth week.

His appearance felt especially meaningful because Dylan previously dedicated his “Rewrite the Stars” routine to Olivia with a subtle nod to Zac. At the time, Dylan told Extra he wasn’t bothered by Zac’s late arrival, saying Zac had been “supporting [him] every day.” Still, viewers erupted online when the cameras cut to Zac in the audience, with many joking that the internet had “bullied him into the ballroom.”

Dylan Reflects on Support and Full-Circle Moments

For Dylan, finally having Zac at the show meant everything. After the semifinals, he told Entertainment Tonight that seeing his family show up together was the highlight of his run on the series. “I grew up watching him do stuff like this, so it’s full circle,” Dylan said. “Looking over and seeing all of them together… that’s my support. I love it.”

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A former “Dancing with the Stars” contestant is thanking the kindness of a stranger for the recovery of some treasured mementos. Ricki Lake, who competed with Derek Hough on season 13 of DWTS, lost her Malibu, California home in January during the wildfires.

Now, Lake shared via Instagram, she experienced a “miracle” that has a tie to that heartbreaking loss. The miracle came via a stranger.

A Stranger Found Photos of Ricki Lake at a Flea Market

On December 9, Lake took to Instagram to share her happy news with fans. In the caption, she wrote, “I’m speechless. Here is a happy story for your holiday season!”

Lake noted it had been nearly a year since she lost her home to the wildfire. She explained that since that experience, she “made peace with the fact that my photographs and memorabilia [were] gone.”

Unbeknownst to her, however, a box of her old photographs somehow made its way to a flea market in Pasadena, California. A woman named Patty Scanlon bought a box of miscellaneous photos at the flea market and recognized that some of them included Lake.

Scanlon and Lake “met” one another via an Instagram Live that the “Dancing with the Stars” alum shared on Instagram. Scanlon explained that recently, she just felt a need to get out of the house. “It’s like the universe drove me to get your pictures,” she noted.

She shared that she’s an artist, and sometimes she looks at old photos for inspiration. At the flea market, she was looking through a box of photos at the first booth she came across. She paid him $20 for the box, having no idea the treasures it held.

When Scanlon realized she recognized Lake in some of the photos, she hopped on social media to share her story. She hoped someone who had a connection to Lake would see it, and that’s exactly what happened.

Lake exclaimed, “These pictures are so priceless to me. They would be anyway, Patty, but the fact that I lost all of these images in the fire in January, I mean, I thought they were gone forever.”

The DWTS Is Deeply Grateful & Happy for the Efforts This Stranger Made

“It was such a heartache, and such a painful thing to kind of come to terms with that all of these memories are no longer in front of me, they’re just in my mind and heart now,” Lake shared. She added, “But the fact that you found these is unbelievable.”

She also told Scanlon, “The fact that I’m gonna get something back that I thought was lost forever…it makes me so happy.”

Lake added, “You know, we all need good news these days, and this is leaving me with such a beautiful feeling about the human race. Good things happen to good people, and I really appreciate you so much, Patty.”

Scanlon talked about the serendipitous experience to CBS LA. She thinks that perhaps whoever it was that Lake sent a letter and photos to years ago kept the items tucked away in a box. Scanlon believes that the box later ended up at an estate sale.

“It was like it was meant to be, it was like this thing in the universe that just said, ‘You’re gonna get those photos, and you’re gonna give them to Ricki,” Scanlon added.

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Comedian Andy Dick is addressing concerns after a frightening incident in Hollywood. The 59-year-old actor and former “Dancing With the Stars” contestant was found unresponsive on a set of cement stairs outside a building earlier this week, prompting bystanders to rush in and try to revive him.

Photos obtained by TMZ showed the former “Dancing With the Stars” alum, Dick, slumped over in broad daylight. Witnesses stayed with him until emergency responders arrived. A representative for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the outlet they responded to a call for a possible overdose involving a 59-year-old man. However, he was not transported to a hospital.

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Dick later confirmed to TMZ that he is “OK,” but he did not share details about what happened.

Actor Reassures Fans He’s OK

Hours later, Dick spoke to TMZ and confirmed he is safe. He did not offer specifics about what caused the medical scare, but reassured fans he was recovering.

The comedian’s message came as social media lit up with concern from fans familiar with his long and turbulent history in the spotlight.

A Comedy Career Spanning Film, TV, and MTV

Dick rose to fame in the 1990s as a cast member on “The Ben Stiller Show” and became known for his eccentric humor and unpredictable public persona. He later appeared in films such as “Zoolander,” “Dude, Where’s My Car?” and “Employee of the Month,” as well as numerous Comedy Central Roasts.

In the early 2000s, the comedian starred in two MTV series: the sketch show “The Andy Dick Show” and the reality series “The Assistant.”

The comedian, who became a fan favorite during his Season 16 run on “Dancing With the Stars” with partner Sharna Burgess, has long been known for his unpredictable public persona. The duo placed seventh and delivered several emotional performances that resonated with viewers.

Dick also appeared on ABC’s “Celebrity Wife Swap” in 2013, giving audiences an unfiltered glimpse into his unconventional home life.

Past Struggles With Addiction and Health

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Dick has been open about his long struggle with addiction. In a 2016 interview with Vice, he described years of battling alcohol and substance use.

“I would always say that I didn’t have a problem with drugs and alcohol,” he said at the time. “But I would drink when I was happy, when I was sad, when I was anxious. Without drugs or alcohol, I was depressed, frustrated, and angry.”

The actor has been in and out of rehab more than 10 times and has faced several legal issues tied to drug use over the years.

Fans Express Relief as the Comedian Recovers

Though Dick has not shared additional details about the incident, his confirmation that he is OK brought relief to fans who feared the worst after the alarming photos surfaced.

Supporters continue to send messages of encouragement as he recovers privately.

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Witney Carson doubts she will get a ringer next season on “Dancing with the Stars.” The pro dancer, who won the Season 34 mirrorball trophy with celebrity partner Robert Irwin, revealed that if she returns for Season 35, she may get a less talented partner than Irwin—simply out of fairness to her fellow pros.

“I don’t think that they would give me a winner, per se, next season,” Carson, 32, said on “The Viall Files” podcast, which dropped on Dec. 9.

Carson pointed out that last season’s winning pro, Jenna Johnson, went home in the first elimination ceremony this year. “For instance, Jenna won with Joey [Graziadei], and she was paired with Corey [Feldman] this season,” she noted.

“I think the producers and Deena [Katz], the cast director, they are very smart in who they pair people with and they are very good at it,” she continued. “But they try to make it as fair as possible. They are all about fairness, I’ve come to learn over the years. …They really try … not to play favoritism, especially with the pros.”

“They didn’t know if Robert could dance at all,” Carson said of her winning partnership. “They just thought our personalities would go well together.

Witney Carson Couldn’t Pass Up the Opportunity to Dance With Robert

Carson won her first mirrorball trophy in Season 19 with Alfonso Ribeiro. She landed in third place with Wayne Brady in Season 31, but she knew her partnership with Irwin would be a special one.

Carson, who shares two young sons with her husband, Carson McAllister, told The Hollywood Reporter she had some mom guilt going into the season.

“As much as I feel that guilt, I know that I need to show myself some grace and be as nice to myself as possible, and be able to know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with Robert and just to give it my all and to not have any regrets,” she said in November. “I don’t want to have any regrets when the show is done. I want to be able to say I put everything I had into it, and I can be with my family at the end of it.”

Witney Carson is Already Having DWTS Withdrawal

While “Dancing With the Stars” just ended on November 23, Carson admitted she already misses the routine now that she’s back home in Florida.

On Dec. 8, she shared an Instagram Reel that started with her in the kitchen of her gorgeous Orlando home with her husband and kids. “Feels strange (but good) adjusting to this normal schedule at home,” she shared. ‘ Kids are back in school tomorrow so having a pretty chill Monday before everything gets busy! Still having dwts withdrawals anyone else?!”

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Jason Mraz—who was crowned runner-up of “Dancing With the Stars” season 32—is spilling secrets of his time on the show.

Jason Mraz Spills ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Secrets

The “I’m Yours” singer is going viral after taking to social media to share details from his time on the popular competition series.

“Hey I thought I’d give you some dirt on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ cause I’ve been there,” Mraz said in a video shared to TikTok on November 22. “You know how it looks like a competition, well it is a competition. But, like, everyone is actually really supportive of one another. Cheering each other on, and there’s like real friendships.”

He continued, “There’s like team building, and they’re checking on you. There’s a lot of, like, real care and real love. And like the side effect is that you come out of there having had a real-life transformation for the good. And how it looks great on TV and all, but it’s actually better. And I wish everybody could do it.”

Mraz was paired with professional dancer Daniella Karagach. The duo made it to the finals, but ultimately fell short behind winner Xochitl Gomez and partner Val Chmerkovskiy.

“Ok, Julianne [Hough] and Alfonso [Ribiero]…super nice! Derek Hough, super nice! Carrie Ann Inaba, super nice! You know Ezra [Sosa] looks like he’s having a great time and he looks hot on TV. He’s having a great time and he’s hot,” Mraz added in a follow-up video. “You know Daniella Karagach looks like a boss lady and how she wouldn’t take any [expletive] from some whiny partner…she’s super nice and I deserve the punishment.”

‘DWTS’ Pros React to Jason Mraz’s Secrets

The comments section of Mraz’s post was flooded with comments from “Dancing With the Stars” pros and former celebrity dancers.

“Major tea. Not a single lie told 😌 miss u Jason!!! ♥️✨” Gomez wrote.

Witney Carson—who took home the Mirrorball with partner Robert Irwin last month—responded, “Now this is what I love to hear!!!!!”

Bravo star Arirna Madix commented, “Can concur! miss seeing you perform 👏🏼”

Alan Bersten and Emma Slater both shared love for Mraz.

Ezra Sosa joked, “You said what now…”

“This is probably the juiciest tea I have on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and maybe the most spectacular thing you’ve ever heard and will hear…after this break,” Mraz teased in a third video, before cutting himself off with the iconic ballroom music.

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