A Dancing With the Stars fan favorite is addressing the big question: Will they ever return to the ballroom?

Maksim Chmerkovskiy has broken his silence on a possible return to the series that made television star. His statement came weeks after his surprise appearance on the series’s first-ever holiday special.

“I think the boat has sailed. I think my comeback is in the distant past,” he told Access Hollywood.

He continued, “I’m in maintenance every day for the last 25 years. I don’t see where that’s going to go, and I’m looking forward to creative processes.”

“[But] I also think Dancing With the Stars is a moving entity, and it just needs to move. And we all just moved a little bit different directions.”

Chmerkovskiy first appeared as a professional dancer during Season 2 of the series in 2006. He competed for 17 seasons, winning one mirrorball trophy in Season 18 alongside Meryl Davis. His final pro season was the show’s 25th installment.

Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

However, even though he’s no longer on the show, fans still turn to Chmerkovskiy for his expert insight. He sparked backlash during Season 34 after sharing critical commentary about Jan Ravnik, the former Taylor Swift tour dancer who was partnered with Jen Affleck in his debut season.

During an appearance on his wife Peta Murgatroyd‘s podcast, The Penthouse with Peta, Chemerkovskiy was critical of Ravnik’s pro experience. E! News shared his remarks: “I’m sorry, Jan has absolutely no business being a pro on Dancing with the Stars.”

“There’s zero foundation technique, quality, understanding of the partnership. Bro, I’m getting emotional. It is absurd, and this is unreal how blind we have to be, and God forbid say what’s obviously there.”

Chmerkovskiy ultimately apologized to Ravnik for how his words may have hurt him. He said in an Instagram video, “First and foremost, I want to apologize to Jan for the way my words made you feel, for hurting your feelings.”

He continued, “There’s a lot more that I want to say. I would like an opportunity to do it over coffee, or any kind of time you have to spare. I would love to meet. I would love to bury the hatchet. Most importantly, I think you’re going to walk away with knowing me, feeling completely different and, dare I say, we probably might even be friends.”

There have been no confirmed reports that Ravnik has taken Chmerkovskiy up on his offer. Dancing With the Stars is currently on hiauts.

This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.