DWTS Season 12 – Maksim Chmerkovskiy on Kirstie Alley: “Here’s a chance to show what ballroom dancing can build on physical and mental levels”

My partners have been praised before, but this is a different praise. I just feel like she’s a partner I’ve never had before and here’s a chance to show what ballroom dancing can build on physical and mental levels. If I’m going to have any legacy as an instructor, this is my opportunity to take it to another level.

Maks has a new blog up at TV Guide. He writes how Kirstie’s performance this last week was “one of the most proudest of his career”. He goes more in depth in a take below as well as his goals for her. Be sure to read the link for the full writing because he talks more about the show this week, the judges, and their upcoming dance as well. Heads up: Maks also mentions his brother Val and how he is scheduled to dance on the show.

What did you think of the premiere? Thank you in advance for all of your votes! I am so proud of Kirstie. I thought she did great and she was rewarded for all the hard work she put in. I had been saying that if everything goes well on the show like it had during rehearsals, she will shock everyone. People didn’t know what to expect from her. A lot of people were underestimating her: “Cross her off the list.” She’s popular, she’s a big celebrity with big personality who’s out of shape, but she comes out and kicks butt! It was probably one of my proudest moments of my professional career. We are even more enthusiastic about this season and what’s coming next.

Kirstie was not nervous at all for the show. We had a dress rehearsal, so she saw how long we would be waiting and what the flow was like. She’s a professional when it comes to long waiting periods. She did all the right things in preparation. Now she knows how everything works on the show, so I think she’ll be fine going forward too.

After we got our scores, she collapsed. That has never happened to me before. I was really the most proud person in the room. It was very rewarding for me to see someone I helped get to that point. She can do a lot more. I know she can. My goal is to make her better because I think she’s an amazing candidate for a story this week. She’s the one with the story who’s showing change and overcoming certain things. I know a lot of people were like, “I stand corrected.” Some people will still be rude and make mean comparisons. I’m not going to say the comments myself, but they’re sad and unnecessary. They’re missing the fundamental point of what she’s doing and the show. She’s proof that you can overcome anything you put your mind to it. When someone gets to the point when their hard work does pay off, you don’t knock people down. You’re supposed to praise. I’m not naive. Obviously, I know we’re not loved by everybody. That’s fine, but I don’t think you have to be unnecessarily rude to people.