Maksim Chmerkovskiy Sparks Buzz with Surprise Return to ‘Dancing with the Stars, But There’s a Twist

Maksim Chmerkovskiy Sparks Buzz with Surprise Return to ‘Dancing with the Stars, But There’s a Twist

*Los Angeles, CA —* Maksim Chmerkovskiy, the fan-favorite ballroom heartthrob, is making headlines once again after revealing a jaw-dropping twist in his long-anticipated return to *Dancing with the Stars*. In a move that stunned both fans and fellow pros, Maksim announced during a surprise appearance on the show’s live finale that he will not be returning as a dancer—but as a **guest judge and choreographer-in-residence** for the upcoming season.

“I’ve danced my heart out on that floor, but now it’s time to help others shine in a whole new way,” Chmerkovskiy said with his trademark charisma, earning a roaring standing ovation.

This marks his first official DWTS role since stepping away from the competition in 2018, and insiders hint he’ll be bringing a bold new edge to the show’s choreography—and maybe even a few surprise performances of his own.

Social media erupted within minutes of the announcement, with hashtags like #MaksIsBack and #DWTS2025 trending worldwide.

Stay tuned—this season is shaping up to be one of the most dazzling yet.