'Dancing With the Stars' Season 18 Cast: Maksim Chmerkovskiy To Return In 2014 Despite Criticizing Show? [VIDEO]
One of the most popular pro dancers in Dancing With the Stars history is coming back for season 18.
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Maksim Chmerkovskiy is officially returning to Dancing With the Stars for the upcoming spring 2014 edition, according to Us Weekly. The 34-year-old dancer quit DWTS after season 15, having not appeared in the latest two seasons. Chmerkovskiy did, however, return to guest judge the semifinals in season 17.
On why he quit the show in 2012, Chmerkovskiy told the New York Post that he wanted to focus on his own career as a dancer and performer.
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"Essentially, 80 percent of our job is to give somebody another push in their career," he said at the time. "I loved doing it. But to be honest with you, at 32, I am at what-about-me time."
Chmerkovskiy first joined Dancing With the Stars in season 2 and competed every season until the 15th, except for season 6. He has made the finals four times with his respective celebrity partners but has never won.
The dancer came in second with Melanie Brown in season 5 and Kirstie Alley in season 12 and came in third with Laila Ali in season 4 and Erin Andrews in season 10.
Andrews will be reuniting with her old partner as she takes over co-host duties from Brooke Burke-Charvet in season 18.
The season 18 cast of Dancing With the Stars will officially be announced Tuesday, March 4 on Good Morning America.
Dancing With the Stars season 18 premieres Monday, March 17 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
