ABC/Craig Sjodin(LOS ANGELES) — Maksim Chmerkovskiy has no intention of returning to the Dancing with the Stars ballroom on a full-time basis.
Though he recently appeared on the ABC show’s 10th-anniversary special, he says he will “definitely not” compete again for the Mirrorball trophy.
Speaking with Glamour, Maks said, “You have to walk away when the time is right, and the time was right. Nothing was out of ordinary. I think the change of guard is necessary. Like a plant that in order to improve growth, you have to pull branches. It’s the same thing.”
The magazine asked Maks about recent speculation that he’s rekindled his romance with Dancing with the Stars pro Peta Murgatroyd, and how things are different this time around. He didn’t address the gossip directly: “We’re cool. I think that to briefly answer your question, we’re just older. I guess things happen differently when you’re older and time’s passed and things have happened.”
“I am a very intelligent guy, contrary to what it might seem,” he laughed. “I feel different now because we’re different.”
