Peta Murgatroyd And Maks Chmerkovksiy Returning To Dancing With The Stars Season 24
Peta Murgatroyd and Maks Chmerkovksiy were on Good Morning America today. They had a special announcement for Dancing With The Stars Season 24. Guess what? They are both coming back as Pros. Let us know what you think in comments. So exciting. Thanks to @Idolxfactor for the heads up and help today. Video coming up.
Keep scrolling below for updates….
ETA: Be sure to see US Magazine. Peta talks of returning to Dancing With The Stars. You can also see her and Maks on the cover.
Murgatroyd’s motivation is two-fold. “I want to get my body back,” admits the 5-foot-7 pro. “And I want to defend my title. I won two seasons ago and never got to come back.” (Chmerkovskiy welcomes the challenge, telling Us, “I just want to support her and at the same time, maybe have some healthy competition in the family.”)
And though dancing, running and weight training have helped Murgatroyd shed most of her baby weight (“I think I’m kind of halfway there,” she says), one thing does make her nervous about slipping back into her old skimpy costumes. “I’m not looking forward to having huge boobs on the show,” admits the breastfeeding star. “I’ve never had massive knockers before and I don’t really know how we’ll tie them down! I actually contacted the costume designer and said, ‘We need to have a meeting about this!’”
For more on her and Chmerkovskiy’s return to the ballroom — and how they’re handling life as new parents — pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now!
ETA2: For more Pro updates on who else might be dancing (or not dancing), keep checking our new Dancing With The Stars Season 24 Pro Watch post.
Yay for Peta!! Oy Vey on Maks. They’re turning this into the Chmerikovskiy show with the Houghs gone, aren’t they? Smh…
Yep-watched it-not sure what to think? Thought it was just Peta coming back, now it’s Maks too hmmm Is he bored? Jealous of her? Do they need the income that badly lol? Maybe he doesn’t want to be a stay at home daddy after all? Maybe all of the above. At any rate, with both of them back, I’m wondering now which really good pros are out? I’d be Sooo bummed to hear that Maks is back but Mark is not:( I’m already not liking the sound of the pro lineup and I don’t even know it yet lol….can’t wait to hear about the celebrities! LOL
Wait, Mark is not back? Why? Sorry if this has been discussed before.
I don’t think we know anything about Mark and his status just yet.
Without Derek, they really need Maks – not that they’ll ever admit it, but Val ain’t the guy. Maks is a much larger draw – hell, even I like Maks WAY better than Val.
I never said Mark is not back!! I don’t know who’s back or not!! Read what I wrote lol. I said I’d be Soo bummed to hear that Maks is back and Mark is not-meaning Maks is back but maybe he took the place of some really great pros that are not coming back. Don’t put words in my mouth please lol.
Full disclosure: I woke up in a bad mood, so that very well could be coloring my opinion on this one, but I had to raise an eyebrow about both coming back. I know I can’t be the only one that thought Maks was just showing up, putting in the bare minimum with Amber, and collecting a paycheck last season – is he gonna coast through this one, too? Cause really – I never got the impression he was super-excited to be there last season. As for Peta – if she can handle the work-baby balance, more power to her, but I better not see any hand-wringing in rehearsal packages about how it’s “sooooo hard” balancing rehearsal time with baby time. Do I think it’ll still happen? Knowing this show and its penchant for cheap drama, yeah, but this is one instance where I’m probably not likely to be very sympathetic. I think she could have easily taken another season off and returned in the fall, when the baby’s not quite as labor-intensive.
Love that Peta is back. Maks not so much. I guess they need the money.
Ok, Anonymous – maybe don’t get so defensive. Calm down. Nobody is “putting words in your mouth”, it was a simple misinterpretation.
I agree Heidi. I love Maks more than Val ….and I like that he doesn’t ban everyone at twitter like Val.
I agree Courtney. I’m really happy she’s back, but, it’s going to be tough for Peta. I can’t imagine how she will do it all? Adding: some of these dancers have a strength I don’t understand sometimes. It’s amazing.
Absolutely agree with Courtney-as much as I applaud Peta for coming back, I don’t, particularly, want to see the mommy guilt tears either in her rehearsal packages. All mommies have been there and we all make our own personal choices. Trying so hard not to be judgemental of her but I, also, agree that her comeback could’ve waited til the fall. If anything, let just Maks come back for this season. But to each their own. I just hope they both can try to bring it on the dance floor with as little drama as possible this season.
Back so soon after having a baby?! That seems like a lot of comittment to take on at this point.
Anonymous, take a fucking pill. Season hasn’t even started yet.
Agree, Court – but I wouldn’t put it past this show to be banking on that. And even instigating it in some way. Maks and Peta on GMA smacks of desperation by ABC. Seriously – we’re not talking Tom Cruise here. We’re not even talking Emmy winning choreographer. We’re talking about a pro who is a desperately needed draw with Derek gone. Makes me wonder about Julianne as well – maybe she was asking too much.
Eh, Val banning people is the height of arrogance. I’ve never even tweeted him. Took me 6 months to realize I’d been banned. LOL. And I can still see his feed if I want to. Heavy on symbolism, light on effectiveness. 😀
Yeah I need more coffee lol ☕️ Sorry everybody!
Not a fan of both sorry, makes the chances of Karina coming back even less? might be watching world of dance instead ✌
Yes, so I was not alone! Totally agree with you, Courtney! You would think that being a new mom, she would want to stay behind and spend as much time with him as possible. I definitely think she should have waited until the Fall.
If Maks wasn’t joining in, it’d be okay I guess, since Shai would have at least one of his parents there with him, but with both of them participating? Hmmm…poor baby Shai.
Don’t know if ABC is just desperate or what. GMA has been giving these two way too much attention lately.
You said it on Val, Heidi.
I think Peta should have waited until next season. Just wondering if Maks is pushing for his ego for her to come back this soon.
I thought Maks said that he wanted to stay home and take care of the little one.
Now, I see the brothers including Val is pushing for their ego and publicity. I hope that I am wrong.
Happy that peta is back (praying that Emma is back too but I wouldn’t put it past the show to let Emma go and keep Jenna as a pro) and to an extent I’m happy maks is back because he is popular and with Derek not there and the possibility of Mark being back they needs fan favs like them. Plus I like him better than Val. Saying that, I’m worried that makes will just phone it in like he did with Amber (who I still think would have been great if she had a different pro…I’m still at a loss on how maks just let that potential slip away). I’m expecting a lot of footage of the baby watching rehearsals lol
I think both Maks and Peta coming back so soon after the baby is going to be next to impossible, and I suspect their celebs will suffer for it. One or the other might have worked, with one partner taking care of the home/baby front while the other dances. It’s a crazy schedule PLUS the baby …… Hopefully Val will sit this season out to take care of baby Shai – yeah right !! But that would be the silver lining – no Val this season.
I do hope Mark is back, but I also wish better for him. Like Derek, I think it’s time Mark moved on – spread his wings in other directions.
Also, loved when she said that she wanted to defend her title. That is the reaction I’d have too 🙂
First of all I am very excited both are back!
As dancers I am guessing they only have so many years to take advantage of the spotlight so it makes sense to take advantage of the attention they have right now.
I see there is some questions/doubts about both of them doing the show, but I would point out that a lot of families in the US have both parents working and a lot of mothers have to go back after only 6 weeks off. So doesn’t seem so unusual to have bother of them working for a maximum of a couple of months…
Hmm…since they need a partner assigned before they can be on the show, I wonder if Peta and Maks know who their partners will be? Another married couple like Carlos and Alex? Just speculating.
Umm, I kinda get Maks coming back though I thought he said he’d be at home with the baby b
Not sure if my comment posted or not. If so sorry.
I understand Maks coming back, though he said he wouldn’t but Peta. returning so soon seems a bit risky & she’s breastfeeding too.
I’m thrilled that Peta is back. She’s really grown on me the past few seasons and has become one of my favorite female Pros. I was really hoping she’d be back. My personal feeling is she’ll be fine with the baby and if she thinks she’s up to it- more power to her. She knows her body and the schedule, but I agree I hope the show doesn’t create unnecessary drama out of it.
I worry about who will be dropped, though. I really, really hope its not Emma.
As for Maks, I am genuinely shocked he’s back. He really seemed miserable last season and seemed thrilled to be a stay at home dad. I agree Maks is probably one of the biggest draws pro-wise, but I don’t want a dancer with a lot of talent or potential wasted on his ambivalence. I would have rather seen both Keo and Alan brought up.
Honestly, I can’t say that I’m happy about this. I wasn’t impressed with Maks lately as a pro or a judge. And I was counting on Mark Ballas and his creativity returning! So what will this mean in the male line up? Especially with Tony wanting to return. We know Val will be in and I expect Gleb…….
I have gone through “Baby Boot Camp” twice with my two kids and I just cannot comprehend how Peta or Maks will get through this season, take care of a demanding infant, and also plan a wedding. I agree with people here that she should’ve waited for the Fall season. I hope she (and he) don’t regret it and I hope their respective partners don’t pay the consequences.
Hey Maks & Peta – send Shai my way! I’ll take care of him for a few weeks!! 🙂
Hmmm well I can’t say I’m shocked that they’re both back. When asked Peta would always play coy and well I never trust any definitive statement that comes out of Maks mouth. Hopefully with them both being on the show that can help take the stress away from a new baby. Give them both an outlet but keep them working on the same things. I think it would be gross for the show to focus on the just giving birth thing when Alison and Terra both did the show after recently giving birth and we didn’t hear much about it while they were on. I could be wrong about that but it didn’t seem like the show tried to highlight it in anyway. I think we’ll see some painful cuts w/ the pros this year for sure :(. But that’s showbiz
Ginger talking to DWTS people on GMA and making it all about her is really starting to grate on my nerves. It seems like she does this every time they have anything or anybody DWTS-related on GMA. I get that she was on DWTS shortly after having her first child so she can relate strongly, but she brought it back to herself a few too many times for my taste. I counted 4 “me” references in under 4 minutes…
I was over Ginger by the time she strapped on her dance shoes for the cast announcement last season. A little too “hey, remember me, I was on DWTS once, too!” for my tastes.
Since somebody mentioned Terra Jole, there are commercials left and right advertising the show she’s on: Little Women-LA. I’ve never watched it before but I just might for curiousity this season b/c the commercials keep showing the behind the scenes drama of Terra on DWTS-stuff that, apparently, we didn’t see when she was on the show-a WHOLE lot of stress balancing dance and being a mother and a reality star, etc etc. I just find it Sooo interesting how we didn’t see that backstory on Terra so much when she was on DWTS-you would think the producers would’ve milked all that a bit more-it’s all coming out now on her other show lol
LOL,didn’t Maks say last season he would not return so he could be a full time dad?
I would have more respect for them if they didn’t. *shrugs*
Definitely see your point Hayley4pro. In the case of Peta, makes me wonder just how much of her struggling to balance it all we’ll see exactly. And she will struggle as one mother can attest lol. It’s reality. Every mother does. But just how much will the producers show us? Will they hide it and make her seem like superwoman especially since she’s a pro dancer? Or will they milk her struggles for drama and ratings? Hmmm…guess we’ll find out soon enough lol
I fear this season will turn into the Chmerkovskiy Family Reality Show. They will use the new parents angle with lots of drama, plus the Uncle Val angle. Ugh. Good luck to the non fam pros getting any attention this season. I really want Mark to come back, but if the show is going where I think it’s going, he might be better off not doing it.
Wow! I’m surprised that they’re both coming back, I thought maybe one of them would, but not both. I’m actually pretty happy Peta is back, I really have grown to like her (especially after her season with Tommy!) As for Maks, I prefer him over Val, but still not a huge fan.
Well Congrats to Maks and Peta and the return! This show knows how to sucker me in. The showrunners have really reversed that practice of not allowing spouses to be on the show as pros together with this family affair. Technically not spouses, but good enough It’s reality TV and of course there will be nannies on set, no doubt a term of the contract. TV people don’t have the baby grind us plebs have. Peta will be in fighting shape in no time and I for one am already jealous. In fact, it will probably be the best time for them as pros. Athletes getting back into shape is super rewarding for them. Maks was incommunicato basically last season, but I think now with a little one to care for he may have dug deep for some enthusiasm this time. At least he’s not biting the hand that feeds him.
Since when was there a practice of not allowing spouses to be on the show as pros together? There’s never been such a rule, lest you forget Edyta and Alec.
1) Why do people think they need the money?
2) Many households have 2 working parents and babies go to daycare. They’re not anomalies these days, I went to work after 2 months and I had twins 26 years ago and hubby had. 4 hour round trip commute.
I’m sure DWTS is a flexible environment and a big family so Shai will get lots of love. Baby nurses are wonderful and very big in LA. Ginger did it while flying back and forth to NY.
I was wondering when I saw Peta had a new website and was asking for sponsors for it on the website that she was probably coming back this season. She’s trying to get some kind of business going and would need exposure. Otherwise, out of sight, out of mind.
I did not expect Maks to come back though. He clearly was barely into it the last time he was on. Can’t say I’ve ever been a fan of either of them and am surprised that both will be away from brand new baby but I can’t begrudge any parent who has to work and bring home a check. I just know they’re going to show Peta crying being away from her first child but she could have stayed home since Maks will be working. Let the drama begin.
As someone who’s had “big knockers” since puberty, you just make sure those puppies are strapped in and supported properly. I mean honestly, women have been doing vigorous physical activity for eons with a big rack.
I’m surprised Maks is back. I thought he was looking forward to being a stay at home dad while Peta danced? I suppose the show dangled money at them in order to exploit having the pair of them on that same time.
I agree with some of you that Maks is either coming back for the money (DWTS no doubt dangled the right price in front of him and he couldn’t resist) and with Derek not available they are hurting for ratings drawers. Without Derek on the payroll, they can afford to bribe Maks. Money must have won over him being a stay-at-home daddy. I just hope their isn’t an over amount of camera time on the new baby Shai and the proud daddy and uncle. And, I wonder if Peta is breast feeding. (Ginger rings a bell). Glad though to see Peta coming back. With Derek and maybe Mark not coming on Season 24, it will be the happy “Fam” every Monday night. (including Tony)
I also like Maks much more than Val. Maks is so much more handsome than Val.
I’m not surprising Maks is back. Money talks and he’s got no shame. He doesn’t work outside of dwts so this is his only source of income he can get. God help him and his brother if dwts ever gets cancelled.
Call me Wynnical, but guessing no one took their personal reality show bait so we are left with Desperately Seeking the Limelight, the second in the She’s Having My Baby – My Big Fat Ukrainian Wedding trilogy.
I share others’ dread on the foreboding drama. Peta’s seasoned enough to know that there are containment methods for amply endowed dancers as well as the commitment the show requires so zero tolerance for any new working mom whining. It’d be refreshing to see her have to dance with some less provovative costumes and Maks is a complete dud when not able to showmance (judging from his ego and comments, I’d bet it’s eating at him that he’s the only pro not able to win without it).
Well, Maks said after his win with Meryl that he would not be back as a pro-he was. And he said he would be happy being a stay-at home dad and now he is back on the show. Oh well -_-
To be fair, Maks, Val and Tony do own those dance studios. It’s much more likely that he needs DWTS as PR for those studios. And DWTS needs him pretty badly if they are missing Derek. Val certainly can’t carry the show.
I do wonder if they will be more hands off now that they handed Val two MBTs, big Bro has one as does he wifey. Maybe they could allow Sharna or Lindsay to win one??
@PH – I’m hoping for the best but preparing for the worst with this new EP – could be a vast improvement from Rob, could be ten times worse that Rob. It’s a bit unsettling to me that they seem to be shaping Peta & Maks as the focal point of this season. Makes me wonder if they’re angling for another trophy for one of them. But man, both Lindsay & Sharna are DUE to win – and I don’t say that very often about a pro.
@Susan2 – Yeah, Peta’s “big knockers” comment just kinda made me eye roll, acting as if she’s the first woman on this show to 1.) have big boobs, and 2.) undertake the arduous task of dancing with them. Witney’s pretty well-endowed, and has been dancing with those “big knockers” without complaint for several seasons now. Peta’s not exactly a pioneer, blazing a brave new trail for women everywhere by fearlessly donning a sports bra to do the jive. I could just be cranky again, but the comment struck me as a bit…anti-feminist. Like something someone on Mad Men might say – “Sweet Jesus, Joan! How do you expect to get any work done with those gigantic melons getting in your way???!!!”
yep – this is looking like it’s going to be the Peta and Maks show, co-starring Shai and those big knockers LOL
IMHO-I don’t think they need Maks as much as he may need dwts at this point. Hopefully he’s more invested this season.
#wynn “Call me Wynnical, but guessing no one took their personal reality show bait so we are left with Desperately Seeking the Limelight, the second in the She’s Having My Baby – My Big Fat Ukrainian Wedding trilogy” Hilarious! I’m sure they’ll be dropping hints all season hoping a network makes their summer wedding a tv special.
This does give me hope that since they are already pushing the Maks/Peta couple angle that this means Emma/Sasha will be the other couple. The show always likes the two sets of a category for competition.
Court, I agree. I’d love to see Sharna or Lindsey win a Mirror Ball. The choreo they’ve done these last several seasons has been outstanding. I’d love it if Mark won another one too. And then there is Gleb. I would love it if he had a really blow away season like he had on DWTS Russia.
Maria_D I’m kinda hoping the same thing-if the producers are gonna play the competitive couple angle with Maks and Peta, maybe they’ll keep on Emma and Sasha too for the season. I have my doubts-Emma has seemed to be overlooked or a last minute addition like last season and we just might have Jenna again which I’m not a fan of personally.
If Tony ends up doing this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear a lot of “Dance with me” competitive talk between him, Val, Peta and Maks-DWTS for real will end up advertising their studios for them ???
Court, GMA – along with many entertainment outlets (it sure ain’t a news org) is a shipper in entertainment reporter clothing. It’s disgusting to watch E! News these days and GMA ain’t much better. How about we talk about their careers? Any jackass can have sex. 🙂