DWTS' Maks Chmerkovskiy to Exit After Upcoming All-Star Season

USA Today reports that long-time DANCING WITH THE STARS pro Maks Chmerkovskiy will exit the ballroom competition after the upcoming season. Maks will re-team with previous partner Kirstie Alley in the first-ever 'All Stars' season beginning Monday night.

According to the report, Chmerkovskiy's contract with the show expires at the end of the year. He tells the New York Post, "What else do I have to do there after 15 seasons? It makes total sense. The audience can't expect for me to want to stick around, and the producers can't expect for me to want to stick around."

Maks has had his share of drama during his tenure on the program. Most recently, his 2011 partner, Olympian Hope Solo accused him of slapping her during rehearsals. In addition, the dance pro revealed that it is difficult to be in The Shadows of his famous partners. "Essentially, 80% of our job is to give somebody another push in their career," he says. "Or we make them into likable characters. But at the end of the day, they go off and they better themselves. I loved doing it. But to be honest with you, at 32, I am at what-about-me time.'"

However, Chmerkovskiy has no ill feelings toward the show adding, "I wish them the next 50 years of success. But I have to do something else. I need to move on for me." He shared that his upcoming plans include pursuing an acting career and having a possible reality series with his his brother, Val.

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