Maks Chmerkovskiy Can’t Wait To Be A “Stay-At-Home” Dad, Not Doing DWTS Season 24
Maks Chmerkovskiy talked with Bravo TV about his plans for the future. He’s so excited to be a Dad. So much so, he’s not planning to do Dancing With The Stars next season. I have to say….I can’t blame him. Read on to see why. So cute…
“Honestly I feel like going on the record and saying two things,” he exclusively told The Daily Dish. “First of all, like I’ve already said, I’m having the best time of my life on Dancing with the Stars. It’s a known fact. I’ve said it. I was quoted as saying the production is on point. I feel the love. I feel like everybody’s so friendly [and] we all work for the same goal, [which] is to keep dancing in television and produce a beautiful show. Having said that, I’m telling you right now I have zero interest in coming back as a dancer [next season].”
Maks has stepped away from the show before. He took a break between seasons 15 and 18. Following season 18, he took a second hiatus until this current season. He cites the show being “uberstressful” as one of the reasons he’s contemplating another break. Well that, and the fact that he and fiancée/fellow pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd will soon be parents and newlyweds. They plan to wed in the summer 2017.
“I’m going to have a newborn baby. I have zero want to do this. I promise you that,” he said.”It’s been it for me two years ago. I never thought I’d be back here in this position. I’m glad I am. I promise, I’m so glad that I made this decision. But like I said [I’m] looking forward. The baby comes in January and then a month-and-a-half later I would have to be in L.A. to start training with somebody else. Trust me, I really don’t care how this comes across, but there’s no money on the planet that can replace me missing out the three, four, five months of my baby’s life. Zero chance. I can’t wait for all of this, diapers, and all of this stuff. I cant wait for Peta to pursue her goals and whatever and I just want to be a stay-at-home dad.”
More at Bravo TV. Thanks to @Anonymoustuvxyz for the find.
Good for him for being open about his priorities here. Of course, I wouldn’t have judged him (or any parent) for deciding to go back to a job outside the home either, but at least he’s an example for other guys who may want to follow the same path soon after a child is born.
That said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back, either. DWTS has a way of keeping the star dancers around the show (e.g. Derek and Julianne), even if they may have other ideas.
So, a new baby to care for, and a home costume design business (Monsieur Maks, Couturier), and he’ll be all set.
But wouldn’t he bring himself and the baby to LA to be with Peta when or if she returns? Isn’t she in LA with him now? He is making it sound like he plans to remain in New York.
First time I can honestly say this: that’s a great decision from maks! Talk about a surprise. I was expecting a snarky comment and it’s “I want to be a daddy and enjoy it”. I’m guessing that means tony, Keo, or Mark being back as pro 🙂
“I have zero interest in coming back AS A DANCER [next season].”
Hmmm…something about that comment and his complete apathy this season makes me think we’re not out of the woods of seeing him at the judges table. I don’t see him as the Mr.Mom type.
Yeah, as long as Julianne is sitting at the judges table, I don’t think we have to worry about Maks.
There’s something really sweet about a man who is so stoked to be able to spend all his time with his newborn. He is lucky that he can afford to be a stay at home dad, when many dads can’t. I wish this country had a more progressive policy toward supporting maternal/paternal baby leave from work. I mean Croatia has a 1 year leave with 100% paid wages.
If Peta gives birth more on the early January side, the I would guess that she’ll return for the Spring season with Maks as stay at home parent and mommy support.
You could tell that Maks still wants to be a judge. Sorry, but that won’t happen when Val, Peta, Sharna, Tony & Jenna are pro dancers. The “fam” had a hissy fit when it was 1st announced that Julianne was going to be a judge because of Derek. Yet they think it’s ok for Maks to be judge when nearly 1/2 of the pro dancers are closely associated with him. Ha! Maks proved he is a bias judge, Julianne is not. It is wise for Maks to be a stay at home Dad, and Peta can be the bread winner of the family.
Well, the “Fam” are nothing if not hypocrites. Nearly everything they complain about, they themselves do.
He’s sitting out for all the right reasons. Depending on when the baby is born, that will determine whether Peta will be part of season 24 or not. My guess is that she won’t be, but it’s her call, really. I won’t miss him too much, and I agree with his choice to not be a pro for season 24.
Heidi, I was more wondering if they wouldn’t replace one/more of the three mainstay judges. FMI, is it known if Julianne is signed as a judge beyond this season?
It could also just be that Maks came back this season for some limelight and image reform. After all the hype, he’s really been a nonevent.
No, not known…but I didn’t claim she was going to. I only said we have to worry if she’s NOT.
I don’t think that Bruno or CAI have anything to worry about. Maks was a nonevent as a judge as well.
Susan2: Surprising to learn Croatia has such a generous leave program when so many people in that country would love to work, but can’t due to high unemployment.
Good for Maks if he wants to stay home and has the resources to do so. Not sure why he’s making such a big deal over it though. It’s not like he was working a steady job for the past couple of years prior to his return to DWTS this season, but I suspect he’s taking a stand because in his culture, especially, it isn’t the norm.
Don’t they only allow 5 hours to practice per day? Seems like that would be pretty easy to swing.
Besides, despite what he is saying about loving being there this season that attitude doesn’t seem to be coming across onscreen. IMO
So, TPTB might not be all that keen to have him back again next season as a Pro. And, I don’t see him getting a judge’s spot either. Especially, since he’d have both a wife and brother competing on the show. Not to mention all the comments he has mad about other PROS on the show. Perhaps he could get an occasional guest judge spot.
Personally I think it’s Len’s spot that Maks is after. He knows he probably has to wait for it, but I’m guessing that in the long term, Maks is desperate to ultimately replace him as the “traditional” judge. However if Julianne decides to leave again then I’m sure Maks wouldn’t say no if they asked him to judge. Julianne strikes me as someone who is only judging because she has nothing else going on worthwhile enough for her to do otherwise. If she was offered a good enough gig, I think she’d be off like a shot. You can tell she’s still incredibly ambitious.
I think DWTS probably pays Julianne pretty well, so if she can fit it in her schedule, she’ll do it.
And WHY do people insist on making “ambition” in a woman sound so negative? Terribly sexist. Just because you don’t SEE what she’s doing doesn’t mean she’s not doing anything. People said that about Derek for a couple years and look at his schedule now. All that shit is a long time in the making. To top it off, Julianne was doing a bunch of producing – not exactly high profile.