Dancing With the Stars' Maksim: ''The Bad Boy Image Is What's Stuck''

By Nicki Gostin Posted Nov 26th 2009 08:19AM

Maksim Chmerkovskiy from 'Dancing with the Stars' is returning to the Broadway ballroom dancing smash 'Burn the Floor' on November 27. Last time, he danced with his then-fiancée Karina Smirnoff. This time, he's with Kym Johnson who just won the DWTS crown with Donny Osmond. Maks spoke with PopEater about Osmond's victory and his image on the show.

What's harder: Broadway or DWTS?
I think I enjoy Broadway so much more. DWTS is not just about dancing. It's also about dealing with your partner and their insecurities. You turn into not just a dancer and an instructor, but also a psychiatrist and a shoulder to cry on. I look forward to Broadway because it showcases exactly what I do and I get to do it the way I want to do it and not alter it because of who I'm dancing with. I just enjoy the hell out of it.

Do you think Donny Osmond deserved to win?
I think so, given what the show is. There are certain things you have to do to win the crowd. Mya was obviously one of the best dancers we've ever had on our show but I think her and Dmitry didn't get the message across how much she wanted to win.

Don't you think you have an image as the sexy dancer/bad boy on the show?
I think the bad boy image is what's stuck. I don't mind it. I'm not bad by any stretch of the imagination but this is what people want to see me as and I'm ok with it. One thing I learned in Hollywood is it's all about image and the recognition factor.

Do you enjoy showing off your chest?
(Laughs) No, look we're Latin trained and that it requires sexiness and passion.

Do you wax your chest?
No, a little manscaping but I'm not very hairy.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and ex-Karina Smirnoff practice over the summer for
Burn the Floor. She has been replaced by DWTS Kym Johnson.

Are you speaking to Karina?
Not at all. It's a shame but unfortunately that's the way things are. Whatever happened is private and will remain that way unless she decides to talk about it. In all honesty it's a lesson learned and I've got to thank her for being a great instructor in the lesson of what not to look for in a woman. I'm going to leave it at that.

Are you dating anyone?
No, I've been taking my time. I'm a big romantic. I've never really hurt anybody because I'm very gentle and passionate and giving.

So you're a nice guy.
I try to be.

Tags: dancing with the stars, DancingWithTheStars, donny osmond, DonnyOsmond, dwts, karina smirnoff, KarinaSmirnoff, kym johnson, KymJohnson, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, MaksimChmerkovskiy

Comments

(55)

Thursday 26 November

By Peggy

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I checked back to the beginning of DWTS: In my opinion only Brooke, Drew, and Kristy were the more talented winners. As they say, not in any particular order, John clearly should have won over the soap star, Mario clearly was more talented than the arrogant Emmitt, Giles(spg??) should have won last year, Mel B should have won over Helio, Joey Fatone should have won over Apollo. I may have missed someone but this year I was thrilled Donny won, though he was not always the better dancer. Like Mario and other very skilled and not so skilled dancers he was given a much harder time by the judges than their favorites, but he was always humble and self-effacing. He was clearly the better performer in terms of firing up the audience. Those of you who say the producers "kept him," sure believe in conspiracy theories and don't see what is in front of your eyes. Donny Osmond has a huge fan base, Mya did not. The reason you all thought she was so spectacular was because the judges said she was... she made mistakes too, they just were not pointed out as often. Listen to what the show is designed for. If you don't like the results, don't watch... or vote... accept the show for what it is... simple entertainment. It is not designed to pick the best the best dancer, but Americas favorite. I do believe twice a year is too much. One set of contestants in winter/spring is enough.

Friday 27 November

By Marty

I too am done with DWTS Mya was clearly the winner
Last season they did the same thing.of course I know it does not matter to the powers that be cause who are we Just of few un happy fans.

By maryanne

DONNY WAS WONDERFUL AND I AM HAPPY HE WON - SO THERE

By babydeejordan

DWTS is a joke! Mya was the winner....all the world could see and she was robbed....but hell she didn't need a trophy to prove it....Donnie was a joke....he dances and sings in Vegas every night...Kelly couldnt dance...so no way should she have been the winner. Joanna and Aaron was better than Donnie and Kelly!

By Jill

Have not watched DWTS since Giles lost last year!!
He was the best dancer the show ever had on!!!

By JUJU

Untill DWTS does NOT let the fans vote, it will be a popularity contest. Get over Mya not winning. I will not vote for someone who has dance training and is a semi-pro. maybe she did not learn ballroom dancing until now, but she has been trained in other dance forms and choreograph.

By rosi

i totally agree. mya was by far the best dancer. donny osmond only won because he is popular, but so again is kelly. i think the judges should vote on the winner and not the people, because its not a popularity contest!! i would rather have seen kelly win than donny, she did so much better and she improved alot.

also, next year i hope they give maxs a better partner then has has been lately so he could stay in longer and maybe win!!!

again, this is not a popularity contest, LET THE JUDGES MAKE THE FINAL DECISION!!

Wednesday 02 December

By Kay

Bring Maks back next season! I watch just to see him dance!!! He is the BEST!!

By Carol

Just because the person who you liked didn't win is not a reason to slam Donnie. If we all liked the same person what would be the point of having a dance off in the first place. It is really sad that people can not be happy for someone who worked hard and won. Not the type of person I would want to be.

Sunday 13 December

By JOJO

AGREE!!
Some of my favorites have not won..Gilles, Mario..I thoroughly enjoyed Donnie's dancing, and he CAN dance. I used to own an Arthur Murray franchaise and taught for years..so I know dancing from non-dancing.
It's harder for a man..the women can be led, posed , lifted and shake their booty..they can be made to look better than amateur men.

Wednesday 30 December

By Pat

I know I won't be watching it anymore, I thought Kelly should have won, she had NO dance experience and to see how she transformed was amazing. I thought that's what the show was all about!

Wednesday 12 May

By sleepyhead

I personally am in love with Maks. If I were 9 years younger and lived in the area I'd try to "bump" into him! He deserves a really good woman to be with to give him lots of baby Maks'! I'm married to a Cappy man and but, I'd like to just meet him and get an autograph!

Tuesday 18 May

I think Maks should be left alone about his shirt taking off antics. I actually saw a show on regular t.v, and a woman stabbed a man, I think it was 24? That was totally disgusting and meant for HBO! Men out there are just jealous 'cause their wives check him out, and though men out there have all of the contestant women and pros to eyeball. Well, there's also Dmitry, Tony, Damian, Derek, geez, they all show off their chests, who cares!! That Evan showed off his chest and Chad, hey, why not? Go with the flow, GROWL! hahaha