Maksim Chmerkovskiy

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Maksim Chmerkovskiy is a Latin Ballroom dance champion, choreographer, instructor, businessman, and television personality. He is best known for appearing on the ABC television series "Dancing With The Stars".

Born on January 17, 1980 in the Ukraine, Maksim began dancing at the age of four. In his native land he one of the leading junior couples in ballroom dancing before his family immigrated to the United States in 1992.

Immigration was very hard on Maksim and his family due to financial and language barriers. At the age of thirteen Maksim broke his leg in a skiing accident. Doctors said he would probably always walk with a limp due to the metal rod that was surgically implanted in his leg. However, he was able to make a successful recovery and continued to dance.

Over the years Maksim has represented the United States at many world class championships, and currently is ranked seventh in the world and second in the U.S. in the Latin ballroom dance category.

In addition to competing, Maksim is the owner of two dance studios, one of which, the “Rising Stars Dance Academy” is home to national and international champions and is known throughout the world. The second studio is "Dance with Me" Social Dance Studio and is just over one year old.

In addition, Maksim is one of the creators, and on the board of directors of “Dance Team USA”, and educational and charitable organization dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and training future DanceSport athletes. “DanceSport” is the term used to refer to Ballroom dancing in the United States. It is a very insular sport, mostly practiced by the children of families from Eastern Europe. DanceTeam USA tries to raise youth awareness and participation in the sport nationwide.

Maksim gained wider fame and recognition when he appeared on the ABC hit show “Dancing With The Stars.” He partnered Tia Carrere in season 2, and Willa Ford in season 3.

While he and Ford were rumored to be in a relationship during the show, neither of the two ever acknowledged a relationship other than as friends. This was cemented when Willa became engaged to Mike Modano over Thanksgiving 2006, after which both withdrew from the Dancing With The Stars Tour.

Maksim will return to the ballroom on March 19 for Season 4, this time partnered with Laila Ali, boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali.^[1]