Maksim Chmerkovskiy Talks About DWTS, His Dance Studios, And His Dreams For The Future
Bergen.com interviewed Maks sometime during last season about his life and career up to this point. Maks also dished on his dance studios and how they came to be. Be sure to read the interview in full at the link, but, I thought this take below was cool where Maks explains his love for dancing and teaching it. He also talks of his future plans including wanting to have a big family one day. Fun interview for the Maksimistas and Maksimistos out there!!
Asked if he derives more pleasure in teaching dance or actually getting out on the dance floor and performing a cha-cha, samba, foxtrot, paso doble or rumba, Chmerkovskiy pauses.
“Getting on the dance floor and dancing is something I do, and it’s mine,” he explains. “It’s me and myself, and it’s about self-expression – and you can’t beat self-expression. But teaching dance, first of all, gave me a trade. And, ultimately, that’s what led to Dancing with the Stars and all the opportunities since then.
“I also love the fact that I started teaching,” he says. “There’s something amazing about seeing the result of your work, especially since the results have to do with a human being. Because I started so young, right now, 17 years later, I have kids who were students and are now adults themselves. I taught them when they were 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 years old. Now they’re in their mid-20s, and I know that I helped change their life and made it better, that I created an artist. That’s an incredible achievement. So you can’t compare the two. I love to dance. I love the center stage. I love the audience. I love the response, especially when it’s a good response. But teaching is just a whole different pleasure.”
Striking while the iron is hot, or as Chmerkovskiy puts it, “pushing to reinvent myself on pretty much a daily basis,” he’s fast becoming Chmerkovskiy Inc. He writes a regular blog and lends his support to Dance Team USA, which promotes dance activities for kids. Cirque du Soleil’s Las Vegas production of La Reve, which he choreographed, continues to pack ’em in. And in the works are additional Dance With Me studios (in Los Angeles, Vegas, Connecticut and Miami), as well as several endorsement deals, TV show guest spots, hosting a Ukrainian version of the British game show called The Cube, and more.
“What do I want to do long term?” Chmerkovskiy says. “I want to make a difference. It’s a very exaggerated phrase, and I can’t really specify. After that, number one, I want a family. I want a bunch of kids. And my long-term dream, which I see very vividly – and I say this with caution because I know it’s extremely romantic – but I see myself on my lawn with my wife, a bunch of kids, a bunch of grandkids and a bunch of bulldogs running around. My lawn is very big, my house is a castle and my life has been phenomenal. Everyone is happy, everyone is taken care of and …everyone is dancing.”
So, he wanted kids and karina doesn’t…
Yep, it sounds like that might have been one of their issues.
Hopefully before he gets to the wife and kids point in his life, that he attends and passes some behavior and/or anger management classes. But Maks is in denial of any issues, so I don’t see that happening. His actions towards his partners is actually scary and thats only the parts they show…. I would not have wanted kids with Maks either
I agree Sandy. Perhaps it’s not that she’s not ready for kids, but wasn’t ready for kids with Maks.
Either way – nothing wrong with not wanting children and it IS an important thing to determine before you get married. That does not, however, explain the way Maks is holding a serious grudge against her – and if it does explain it, well, that’s so immature and childish that it would be hard to believe.
Karina has said she wants kids so I’m not buying it. I would put my money on control issues. She didn’t say much after the infamous breakup, except that a person should be able to go where they want and see who they want to see.
Thanks for the great article. I love listening to people when they talk about their passion & Maks is no exception. This is the first I had heard about opening a studio in Connecticut. Sounds like he is really expanding. Good for him.
As it’s been 2 yrs now & it’s really none of my business anyway, I don’t really care what happened with he & Karina (or Karina & Brad for that matter) & the truth of the matter is none of us really know anyway. Maybe Maks has a valid reason for his grudge & maybe he doesn’t.
Again – thanks Voguerista for yes..a fun, nice interview. Enjoyed it.
I dunno, I think a two year grudge says more about the grudge holder than it does about the person he’s holding the grudge against. At some point everyone has to move on.
And I think some things may be unforgiveable & again, we don’t know what happened.
You’re right – we don’t know anything except that after TWO YEARS Maks hasn’t gotten over it. Again – speaks more about him.
I would argue that but it’s just not worth it. I have my opinion & others have theirs & we are entitled to them (or at least I thought so). I’ll just leave it at that & bow out now.
I really do think deep down inside there is a kind soul in Maks. But after seeing his cursing and his shoving and all the other goodies that are aired on the show. I would be darned if I would let my grandson be taught by Maks.
It’s weird because when they first broke up, Maks didn’t talk about it and now he does. Personally, I think he still very much cares about her or he wouldn’t comment like he does on her now.
I love when people claim they’re not allowed their opinion when someone has the nerve to disagree with them. :::rolls eyes::: It’s disagreement – deal with it.
I love the statement that we don’t know what happened, yet the inference that she did something unforgivable is there. That’s exactly how he’s programmed the people around him to believe.
Ok Heidi – I disagree with you that it speaks more about him.
Vogue-I agree. I think he still does care about her to an extent. They’ve known each other for at least 14 years so completely cutting off ties can’t be easy. I remember watching one of the last episodes of the Ukrainian Bachelor and his mom told one of the final three girls Karina claimed to be pregnant and she wasn’t really. Now the truthfulness in that statement and if it played a result in the ending of the relationship, who knows and we probably never will know it all or the truth. Whatever it was must have really impacted Maks.
It’d be interesting to see what he’s like while teaching outside of the DWTS spotlight. I personally think it might not be like what we see week after week completely but who knows.
Overall a nice article. I hope everything works out for him in the future. Also thanks for posting guys! =]
Exactly, Ali. We don’t know what happened….but perhaps what she did was unforgivable. I don’t think people even realize the inference. Maks is the one holding the grudge, so clearly the inference is that Karina did something horrible. But we don’t know what happened. That’s a platitude.
Hi Ali – I didn’t intend to infer that. If you look at my earlier post, I stated that maybe he has a valid reason (for having a grudge) and maybe he doesn’t. I just don’t understand how people can make statements on how others should feel and/or view a situation when they weren’t involved and don’t have the facts. I’m not blaming Karina but I’m not blaming Maks either.
The point I was trying to make is we really have no idea the details behind their break up.
Maks is definitely passionate about his work and I’ve heard that outside of the dance studio/DWTS show he is more relaxed and well liked.
As for who he wants to marry, I imagine it is someone like his mother, one who remains pretty much under the radar and keeps the home fires burning. That is Tony’s family life.
This eternal grudge of Maksim is love. For me, he still loves Karina and now that she is no longer engaged, he must put all pride aside and get her back.
Sorry to use too much imagination. I just wanted this fight to end in love, or better, in a beautiful pro Rumba.
M.ZIN LOL 🙂
I did see an interview (while see was with Brad where she said she wanted to have a baby, but it had to be at the right time & with the right person.) I took that to mean exactly what it sounded like!
Maks has always said that “Lina is the perfect wife.” (Tony’s wife).
Love this article! Didn’t think it was possible to love him more, but I do!
Funny you guys are saying that. One of the Top 2 girls on the bachelor was a wifey type . He chose the other one and that didn’t last apparently. I dont think Maks know what he wants yet.
As far as the grudge between Maks and Karina goes (which is mainly 1 sided, but we don’t really know her perspective), I don’t think it was a control thing. They knew each other for YEARS before getting into a romantic relationship with each other, so if he was a control freak..I think she would’ve known or figured it out sometime during their friendship (or at least I really hope so).
I also don’t think it had anything to do with him wanting children and her not, since she did say that she wants to have a baby. So, hmm..the plot thickens. The thing is, we will probably never know what happened between them, and maybe it’s better that we don’t. Do I still think he has feelings for her? Yeah, I do. Regardless of what happened, you can’t just shrug off 14 or 15 years of friendship and feelings at the drop of a hat…him still talking about it a couple of years after the fact kinda says something, you know (and I don’t think it says that he holds grudges)?
I hope he does find the right woman in this life. The right one to settle down, have a family with, and live happily ever after with. However, I do think Maks needs to sit back and really think about the type of woman he really wants. First they say he wants a dominating woman..then we saw on the Bachelor Ukraine that he has a very loving relationship with his mom (as he should) so maybe a woman like her..maybe an under the radar wife like Lina Dovolani…
Before jumping into another relationship and quick engagement, I think he should probably do a bit of soul searching to figure out what he wants in a mate. But I must ask, where in the article does he bring Karina up? I don’t see her name in there at all…
You guys are funny. This happened more than two years ago. I think the only ones that are not over their break up is everyone who posted a comment. Maks moved on. Karina moved on. You all move on. Seriously! We all know she cheated on him. I wouldn’t talk to an ex who cheated on me either. Karina moved on with Brad, it didn’t work out, they both will move on. I knew things wouldn’t work with Brad. They are all too different. It sounds like she got dumped and somehow Maks got into the conversation. Let it go people, let it go!
Michele: I agree with you. We don’t know the details, so we should just let it go. This article wasn’t even about Karina and somehow people posting here managed to bring up her name. Again, let it go!
Also, if any of you followed the Ukrainian Bachelor, you will learn a bit more of what happened and why he was so upset with her. No woman should lie to a man like that. I’m so surprised this site didn’t catch all that happened and what was revealed on that show. It would change your image of Karina.
Amanda, how ’bout you stop trying to tell everybody what to think and how to feel? And as for “letting it go” – nobody has even posted in this thread for 24 hours. You’re the one rehashing everything.
Amanda – a mirror. Get one. Then look into it.
Maks has moved on?? Could have fooled me. “We don’t know what happened”?? Ummm…..you said that “everyone knows she cheated on him”. So, which is it? Everyone knows or no one knows?? Sounds to me like you think YOU know, but don’t think anyone else does.
I don’t know that she cheated on him. At all. And certainly wouldn’t believe it on the word of a die hard Maks fan who says to “let it go” when she’s posting in the thread long after everyone else stopped. Me thinks you doth protest too much.
What was said on Ukranian bachelor is Maks’ word on the topic and pretty much biased in his favor, wouldn’t you say?? Therefore neither factual nor relevant – just his side of the story. I bet Karina would tell a different story. As for posting it all here? Well, despite what you say, you care WAY more about it than any of us do.
Amanda, for what I remember of the Bachelor, not once did Maks mention Karina by name that I remember. You are doing a whole lot of assuming. He may have talked abut his past relationships, but, he never mentioned Karina’s name. Fans always act like they know every detail of his love life and relationships when they don’t. Also, I need to look back. but, Maks indeed mentioned Karina in a recent article and he sounded bitter imo.
Anyway, thanks for the order, but no thanks. I’ll “let it go” when “I” want and not before. Keep in mind I say that being a Maks fan as well. But, unlike you, I don’t have to agree with everything he does and/or nor do I have to like his behavior at times and I don’t think he expects me or anyone to either. He even admits himself to not handling situations right at times.