Maks Chmerkovskiy Wants Hope Solo To Be His Next Partner On Dancing With The Stars
At the ESPY Awards this past week, Maks told People Magazine he wants American Soccer goalkeeper, Hope Solo, to dance on Dancing With The Stars. So much so, Maks has been pleading with her to do it. He even has some advise for her which you can read below.
“Hope Solo!” Chmerkovskiy, 31, exclaimed to PEOPLE at Wednesday’s 2011 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles when asked to name his dream partner for next season. “Let’s do it! I want somebody hot, I want somebody exciting, somebody passionate, and I’ll do the rest.”
Solo, 29, has led the Americans into the World Cup final against Japan. And Chmerkovskiy is hooked. “I’m watching every second of it,” he says of the tournament, which is being held in Germany.
And where do the Ukranian-born dancer’s allegiances lie? “Let’s set the record straight. I’ve been a U.S. citizen for 15 years,” he says. “That’s my team, and it always has been!”
As the U.S. gears up for Sunday’s final, Chmerkovskiy has some advice that could apply both to the pitch and the dance floor. “You better win the whole thing, just please,” he says. “Knock it out, don’t start slow and then have to catch up like we always seem to do. Just kill it in the first half, be done with it, and then cruise control over the rest of the game.”
And his personal message for Solo? “I’m waiting,” he says. “And please don’t hurt your legs.”
Wow, she’s beautiful! I love her intense eyes. I think this would definitely be a cool match up. They look good together. What do you think?
Heidi’s Note: Of course, people on twitter are assuming it’s a done deal that she will be on the show and be Maks’ partner, including Steve Weismann from ESPN. Normally, I would say they were all being idiots – just because Maks wants it doesn’t mean it happens. That should be very obvious by now. HOWEVER, considering the comments Maks has made about “special arrangements” and deciding to come back after apparently planning to take a season off, I have to wonder if Maks is dropping lots of hints about his actual partner. Of course, knowing Maks all the comments could amount to exactly nothing. I also think back to all the claims that Landon Donovan was a “done deal” to be on DWTS after his showing in the world cup.
As my Twitter friends all know, I’m for this partnership! *g* I think it’s probably the furthest thing from a done deal at this point though. *LOL* Maks’ wishful thinking, I’d say.
Celebs should have to put in bids to be on the show or they could auction off the slots!!! Or we could have regional quarterfinals with a certain number of highest couples making it to the Big Dance. Just wish I owned the DWTS franchise-must be profitable.
Gawd, they would be so hot together. I can feel the steam right here.
I would love to see a soccer player on the show. It would be interesting to see how they do.
I wonder if Maks’ special arrangement” this season is that he gets to choose his partner out of the celebs who have signed on. If so, naturally he would try to encourage a celeb that he really wants to dance with to sign up.
I doubt that very much Meggie – that might be the case if Derek weren’t coming back, but I don’t see them allowing that. I’m more inclined to think that they signed someone that wants him and it’s someone he likes so he changed his mind OR they made it so he could travel during the season at his choice instead of being stuck in LA the whole time. That would be a “special arrangement” that would allow him to get back to NYC on a regular basis, which he can’t normally do during the season.
In fact, this is my prediction. You heard it here first.
Hello, Kelly Preston maybe?
Awesome idea! I remember wanting Misty to do the show and thinking she was too big of a cattch for them and she did it so maybe this could happen.
Maks talked about the “special arrangement” almost 2 weeks ago that made him want/agree to come back for Season 13, so whatever that arrangement is, it sounds like its done and dusted. Also, it doesn’t sound like the special arrangement has anything to do with a particular celebrity having requested Maks as her partner, otherwise he wouldn’t feel free to suggest openly another woman as his partner. The special arrangement probably has to do with the new dance studio in LA and/or some other benefit (maybe financial?) to come back for Season 13.
you’re right sandra : ) in an interview the other day w/ hollyscoop maks said the special relationship has to do w/ the opening of his new dance studio in LA. and in terms of partners he said he hopes for someone who is passionate and really wants to be there.
Actually, Maks did not say the special arrangement had to do with the opening of his new studio. Rather, Tony stepped in to say that and my impression was that he was saving Maks from saying something that he was not supposed to say. Tony also stepped in to save Maks from answering the stupid question about if he was going to support or attend Karina’s wedding. I had thought that the special arrangement might be that Kelly Preston had requested him as a partner, but his openly suggesting Hope Solo this weekend makes me agree that the special arrangement probably has nothing to do with who his partner will be. Several pros had hinted at something new and different for the new season, so Maks’ special arrangement might have something to do with that. All of this makes me really anxious for the new season to start!!
Yeah, I’m inclined to agree that it has something to do with either the studio or what I suggested before – freedom to travel. I think that to Maks that would be a huge deal. The pros are pretty much tied to LA for 3 months unless their celebrity has to travel. If Maks got them to agree to let him go back to NYC from time to time, that would be huge. They would almost have to be willing to do that. Next spring Derek will likely be contracturally obligated to promote his movie in some way shape or form – if they set this precedent with Maks, they can use it to try to keep Derek for the spring season as well.
Just a theory.
If this happens [and that's a big if] I’d say the Mark only and Derek only fans wouldn’t argue over ringers anymore
Hope would have ringer status [in my opinion] and if we did a pre DWTS poll, Hope and Maks would get my vote for “Most Likely Showmance” if she’s not married or anything.
As for the recent development that he was talking about, some thought it had something to do with Lindsay Vonn, but who knows. I think he’s just hinting at the new segment or whatever that Lacey and Cheryl have also talked about, but that could be wrong too. We’ll see
Maks was on ESPN to persuade Hope to do DWTS. Will have to see….
As much as I would love this, I have to wonder if the Olympics being just next year might be a mitigating factor in any of these plans. That and the fact that Hope seems to be a very private type person, shying away from the limelight.
It would be great though!
Yeah, Evaine, I watched a bit of the Final and when they said Olympics in the UK next year I thought there was no way she could do DWTS.
I think she’s perfect for Maks just watched an interview where she seemed to be tight-lipped about something in her upcoming future… and on a non-related note whats with the Kat von D rumors?
I don’t get why Hope Solo would be considered a ‘ringer’ for DWTS. Is it just because she’s an athlete – why would that make her a good ballroom dancer – what am I missing here? I know some athletes have done well on DWTS, but most have bombed. Kristi Y. had an advantage because of being a figure skater – she had ballet and dance training, and her sport is a ‘beauty’ sport (rather than a ‘sport’ sport like soccer). I know athletes usually have a great work ethic and less fear than some non-athletes – maybe this is what Maks sees in her that makes him want her to be his partner so bad. He definitely is seeing something, but maybe that something is a bit more ‘personal’?
Well, it’s also publicity getting, isn’t it? Hope is Hot Stuff right now and any chatter of her and DWTS and Maks together is only good PR for Maks and the show, right? Especially in the doldrum time that the middle of the summer is for publicity for the show.
Sandra, I don’t think Hope would be a ringer. Kristi was a huge ringer because she was an olympian from an extremely popular sport with women (fanbase ringer) AND being a skater with ballet and dance. But more because of a huge fanbase. Same with Evan and Shawn – mostly about fanbase because they were both fresh off the Olympics in sports that are popular with women. And women VOTE for DWTS. Evan got taken down by someone with a much smaller fanbase but who was a superior dancer. Shawn nearly didn’t win because Gilles was a hot surprise.
I thought both would win going into their respective seasons.
I don’t think Hope is a ringer for the reasons you mention – plus, World Cup Women’s Soccer isn’t (I don’t think) that widely watched by the demographic that watches DWTS. It’s not JUST about being an athlete. Look at how many have lost. You have to be the right kind of athlete.
That said – Nico – someone on my timeline was tweeting about Hope being on ESPN and their impression was that she didn’t seem interested in doing it and she didn’t seem to like the spotlight too much. Their impression was that she wasn’t going to do it. Since the Olympics are next year, would she be able to do it??
[...] As reported to you earlier, Maks is campaigning and pleading with Hope Solo to dance and be his partner on Dancing With The Stars this upcoming Season. He even took to ESPN radio lastnight to do so. Today on ESPN, Hope addressed him during a post competition soccer interview with Japan. She said, “He’s crazy, I can’t dance, and I can’t walk in heels!” Check it out at the 4:11 minute mark. Her face just lights up when the interviewer brings up the topic. [...]
a lot of attitude on this board – ie: d williams…
I agree after seeing her on Letterman she would be perfect as Maksim’s pardner. He could make a dancer out of her. She is a great shot too. (Soccer balls into a taxi)