It looks like it’s one-and-done (or won-and-done) for Maksim Chmerkovskiy. After returning to the ABC show Dancing with the Stars in season 18 following a year-long break, Maks has announced that he’s exiting the show again.
“I’m done dancing,” Chmerkovskiy told The View on Tuesday. He mentioned that the time feels right because, when he returned to DWTS, he saw how much talent was there (including his own brother, Val) and “thought they can do much more and better, I was taking up a huge spot.”

Maks joined the cast of DWTS as a pro partner in season 2 and competed every time until season 15 (with the exception of season 6). However, in 13 seasons he had never won, finishing second twice and third twice. He left the show at the end of 2012, but made his return in the most recent season.

In season 18, Maks was partnered with Olympic figure skater Meryl Davis and the two shared an instant connection. Even the judges and other pros commented on how she seemed to bring out a different side of Maks with her precision and remarkable skill. Not only did the pair receive the best scores from the judges in the history of the series, they won the Mirror Ball Trophy.

This means Maks is going out on top. He did as much as he could possibly do on season 18, reaching the pinnacle of DWTS, so now it’s time to move on. Will you be sad that Maks won’t be back for season 19?

(Image courtesy of ABC)

John Kubicek

Senior Writer, BuddyTV

John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire DiariesSupernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.