After giving the matter some additional thought, Dancing with the Stars professional Maksim Chmerkovskiy has apparently decided that's he's not going to leave the ABC reality show after all.
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"I am not quitting the show," Chmerkovskiy told People on Wednesday from Las Vegas, where he's choreographing the Wynn Hotel's La Reve.
The day after the 27-year-old native Ukrainian and his fifth-season celebrity partner -- Spice Girl Melanie Brown -- finished second during Dancing with the Stars live finale broadcast, Chmerkovskiy had indicated that following back-to-back Dancing finals losses, he was planning to leave the show.
"If this is the limit of where I can get in the show, well then let it be," said Chmerkovskiy during a November 28 interview with Extra. "I'm satisfied and moving on." When Extra co-anchor Dayna Devon asked Chmerkovskiy if that means he "thinks it's time to move on" from Dancing with the Stars, he replied, "Yeah," adding he already had several other projects lined up.
Chmerkovskiy chalked up those comments to being "very stressed out" at the time he made them.
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"Sure, there's lucrative offers," he told People. "There are things that I really want to do with my life other than this show -- that's a given. After coming down from two seasons back to back, ten weeks each season, it takes its toll."
Last spring, Chmerkovskiy and professional boxer Laila Ali finished third in Dancing with the Stars' fourth-season competition.
"This show is amazing and it's rewarding," he told People. "After last season I thought there's no way I could top off the experience with Laila and then I get Mel B. as a partner this season. I want people -- especially my fans -- to know that I appreciate their support. I am not turning my back on the show. I don't want people to feel betrayed. I love this show."
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio