Dancing With the Stars is running out of "legitimate celebrities," according to Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Maks announced on Tuesday's The View that he would not return to the show as a professional dancer after winning season 18 with Olympian partner Meryl Davis, but he's not ruling out a future role on the series. Then on Watch What Happens Live, Maks discussed his exit further when asked if he thinks the show has run its course.
"I saw that there were a lot of changes last season. I took a year off. I skipped two seasons and I came back. I personally fell in love with the show. It's not something I need to say now that I'm not even part of it, but it's definitely amazing entertainment...I do think it needs to stay on. I'm a big supporter of anything dance related. And I think it's brilliant," Maks said. "My problem is that we're running out of legitimate celebrities. That's the problem."
Maks' partners over the years have included Erin Andrews, Tia Carrere, Brandy Norwood, Debi Mazar, Denise Richards, Kirstie Alley (twice), Melissa Gilbert and Hope Solo.
In recent weeks, Maks has been romantically linked to Jennifer Lopez and hanging out with Leah Remini. Host Andy Cohen told Maks that Remini said he and J.Lo were not dating. "She's the authority on everything J.Lo, so we should listen," Maks said.
Remini made headlines for denouncing Scientology, something that didn't sit well with Alley. Maks' friendship with Remini apparently also doesn't sit well with Alley. When asked about his relationship, Maks said they got along "until recently." Pressed further, Maks explained:
"She stopped getting along with me. No, I think the world of her. I'm not judging people by their religion. I'm Jewish and you know, I don't really believe in science fiction, but whatever. You know, we had a great relationship. I thought we had a great relationship. If it were something else or not, I don't know," he said. "But I got a message that now that I am associating with other people that she can't be associated with. I am no longer to be spoken with. Sorry, but it is what it is… I love people. I don't judge them. My best friend is Muslim, Tony. I don't condone anybody's religion. I don't judge anybody by their religious beliefs. I just feel like, you know it's sad that we've gone through so much together and I feel like I've helped her and this is where we're at now. But I still think the world of her. I wish her all the best."
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