“Dancing With the Stars” is bringing back a friendly face for Season 23. Ukrainian-American pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy will be coming out of retirement for this next season on ABC, the dancer revealed on “Good Morning America” Thursday.
A lot can change in less than a year, apparently. Just 10 months ago, Chmerkovskiy told the “Allegedly with Theo Von & Matthew Cole Weiss” podcast he would never go back to the show.
Chmerkovskiy will once again be competing against little brother Valentin, who’s also a pro on the show. The two squared off for two seasons before Maksim retired from the show in 2012, and though Maksim has more wins over his “DWTS” career, he sees Valentin as the heir apparent.
“He’s become the star of the show, and rightfully so,” the elder Chmerkovskiy told “GMA” on Thursday. “I’m just coming in to do my thing.” The brothers recently wrapped up a 45-city tour, “Maks & Val Live on Tour: Our Way.”
Chmerkovskiy said he’s not feeling any pressure. “I’m not running after multiple mirror balls. That’s not where my focus is at. I feel no pressure having to win again. I do, however, know that I am a very competitive person, and so it’s going to come out, and I’m looking forward to that.”
Peta Murgatroyd, Chmerkovskiy’s fellow “DWTS” pro and fiancé, will be sitting out the season due to the impending birth of her and Chmerkovskiy’s child. “She’s doing amazing,” Chmerkovskiy said. “And she’s getting bigger, and the baby’s kicking, and it’s phenomenal.”
Watch the interview below:
WATCH: @MaksimC talks about returning to @DancingABC for Season 23! #DWTS #DancingOnGMA https://t.co/yEeu581P4J
— Good Morning America (@GMA) August 25, 2016