Maks Chmerkovskiy to Return as 'Dancing With the Stars' Judge
The former contestant will make a special guest judging appearance.
— -- Maks Chmerkovskiy is returning to the “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom once again, as a judge.
The former “DWTS” champion will sit behind the judge’s table next week during the show’s "Switch Up Night" where each star is paired with a new professional dancer.
“For whatever reason, they let me back in the ballroom. So next week I’ll be sitting behind the desk next to Len [Goodman] and they’ll be two of us dishing out criticism at everybody,” Chmerkovskiy, 36, said today on “Good Morning America.”
Making Chmerkovskiy’s return to the ballroom even more dramatic is the fact he will be judging his brother, Val Chmerkovskiy, and his fiance, Peta Murgatroyd, in the ballroom.
Val Chmerkovskiy is paired this season with “GMA” meteorologist Ginger Zee, while Murgatroyd is dancing with Nyle DiMarco. Both pairs have scored some of the highest scores of the season so far.
Chmerkovskiy said he doesn’t foresee his closeness with the two pro dancers clouding his judgment.
“We share a household for the time being but, you know, it’s funny because they go to their jobs. I do my thing. We don’t really talk about these things,” Chmerkovskiy said. “When they ask me a question and want advice, I certainly give it but I kind of, like, stay in back.
“Sometimes, I feel like they look at me like I’m an old man in the room, like, OK, you’ve done it so long ago. This is this new ‘Dancing With the Stars,’” he added. “But, you know, we’ll see what happens next week when I get to put up a paddle.”
"Dancing With the Stars" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Tonight's show will feature performances influenced by classic Disney films.
