“I Want Them to Know Who I Was Before ‘Dad’”: Maksim Chmerkovskiy Gets Candid About Longing to Return to DWTS, Says He Owes It to His Kids

In a heartfelt confession that’s tugging at the hearts of fans everywhere, Dancing with the Stars alum Maksim Chmerkovskiy is finally addressing the one thing he’s been avoiding: he misses the stage. Deeply.

Now a devoted father of two, Maks is embracing every moment of fatherhood — but behind the scenes, he’s been battling a quiet ache for the man he used to be.

“They see me as ‘dad’ — and that’s the greatest gift of my life,” Maks says. “But I want them to know who I was before that, too. I want them to see the fire. The dream. The part of me that came alive on that stage.”

“That Version of Me Still Exists — He’s Just Waiting for His Moment”

For Maks, dancing isn’t just a career. It’s identity. It’s legacy. And stepping away from DWTS wasn’t easy — but raising a family with wife Peta Murgatroyd was always the priority. Still, the hunger hasn’t left him. In fact, it’s grown stronger.

Now, he’s more focused than ever on making a comeback — not for the fame, but for his children.

“One day they’ll YouTube me and say, ‘That’s my dad.’ But I want them to see it live. I want them in the front row.”

A Return Fueled by Passion — And Purpose

Sources close to the Chmerkovskiy family say Maks has quietly been training again, reconnecting with the rhythm that once made him a household name. And if producers are listening — he’s ready.

“It’s not about competing. It’s about showing my sons what it looks like to fight for something you love — even when the world has moved on.”

For Maks, a return to the ballroom wouldn’t be a comeback. It would be a declaration: that growth doesn’t mean letting go of who you used to be — it means carrying that fire with you, and letting it burn brighter for the next generation to see.