"Dancing with the Stars” pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy is shooting his shot with a music icon. He revealed his dream partner on the ballroom floor while attending the 2025 ESPYS in Los Angeles — and it’s none other than Janet Jackson.
“If you must ask, I mean, Janet Jackson,” Chmerkovskiy said in an exclusive interview with Extra. “I’m old school.” He added that the pop legend “still got it” when it comes to dancing, but emphasized that for him, what matters most is finding a partner with a strong work ethic. “In all seriousness, someone who works hard — that’s what matters most,” he said.
Chmerkovskiy, who competed on 17 seasons of “DWTS” and took home the Mirrorball Trophy in season 18, also opened up about how much he enjoys mingling with elite athletes at the ESPYS. “I relate to athletes,” he said. “It’s the same training, the same diet protocols. It’s the same discipline.” He called the awards show “like Disneyland.”
The Ukrainian-American dancer even shared one of his long-standing superstitions before hitting the ballroom: “I have to retire my shoes the second I step on a dance floor… The problem is that they rip because you’re doing it as a tradition, not because you must,” he explained.
And when it came to red carpet fashion, Maks kept things casual. “I’m the party in the back… It’s not the Oscars,” he joked.
Janet Jackson Was Honored on ‘DWTS’ With a Tribute Episode in 2021
Standout routines included Amanda Kloots’ jazz to “Rhythm Nation” and Suni Lee’s samba to “All for You,” both earning perfect scores. Two couples were eliminated by the end of the night, including Olivia Jade and country singer Jimmie Allen.
Maks Weighs In on Returning to the Ballroom — and Peta’s Future With the Show
Chmerkovskiy hasn’t ruled out stepping back into the ballroom — under the right circumstances. Reportedly, in a recent TikTok video with “The Hills” star Heidi Montag, the former pro joked he’d “unretire” from “DWTS” if they could dance together. The moment fueled fan buzz about both Montag and her husband, Spencer Pratt, potentially joining season 34.
In a separate interview with Entertainment Tonight at the ESPYS, Chmerkovskiy shared that while he might be open to a return, he’s unsure if his wife, Peta Murgatroyd, will be back anytime soon. “For Peta, she’s eyeballs and kids right now. So, I don’t know …” he said, referencing her busy schedule as a mom. He added that Murgatroyd has been navigating the spotlight and motherhood with grace, and while he didn’t say a return was off the table, he made it clear it might not be the right moment.
With fan excitement building ahead of the new season, it’s unclear if Maks or Peta will be on the roster — but if Janet Jackson ever agrees to compete, he may just be first in line.
