The following is an original production of WTCI.

Nowadays I feel like I'm in the under and the watchful eye.

It's like a big my life turned into a Big brother situation.

How is this superstar dancer dealing with being on a hit TV show and life under the media microscope?

Find out as I sit down with Dancing with the Stars sensation Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

Straight ahead on the A-list.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, dancer, choreographer and reality show professional.

You may recognize him from ABC's Dancing with the Stars.

Or maybe you saw him in East Tennessee as he stepped on stage to support the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults.

Although he refers to himself as Max, it seems others out there prefer to call him the bad boy of ballroom.

He is a top rank competitor in professional Latin ballroom dancing and takes his craft and career quite seriously.

Yet there is much more to this man than the image most see or read about.

Well, Max, welcome to the A-list.

Thanks for joining us.

Thank you.

Now, for anyone who's been living in a vacuum or owned no television in their household, let's talk about your rise to stardom on Dancing with the Stars.

My rise to stardom.

Well, I'm not a star or the A-lister, but thanks to.

You started dancing when you were four.

Let's go back to that time in your life and tell me about where you and your family come from in the Ukraine.

I come from a city called Odessa, It's on the Black Sea.

I was born in USSR.

So, you know, that's the confusion with Russian or Ukrainian.

And I'm whatever I would term Russian.

I didn't speak a word of Ukrainian, so it's very confusing to people.

And yeah, I started dancing when I was four, but not dancing.

It was a school of esthetic education.

Okay.

There's give me into it's kind of like pre-K, you know, but it was all artsy and stuff.

We acted, we sang.

I remember being in the chorus and.

Yeah.

And we did all the everything.

But you always love dance.

I hated it.

You hated it?

Absolutely.

With passion.

Did not want to do it.

Despite dancing.

I think I was just the bad actor and the terrible singer and just happened to happen to be a good dancer and they kind of that segued into a ballroom dancing school.

So we're talking about 5 to 12 that I despised dancing.

Absolutely.

But you did it all.

Yeah.

I mean, we all grew up with the grew up with Russian parents.

You would you would understand.

No, it was it was very determined family, you know?

And then and then for some reason, my dad was like, really into it for me, you know, And but I also swam and played tennis and soccer and everything else.

Born on January 17th, 1982, Alexander and Larissa Chmerkovskiy.

Max grew up playing basketball, soccer and baseball, basically every sport.

Though his training in the arts began very early, he says his interest didn't really peak until he was a teenager as an all around athlete pushing to excel.

Dance may have been the last thing on his mind.

At 14 when moved to the United States.

I quickly realized that this is an opportune moment.

You know, you change your life.

You, you, you.

I always had issues with authority and then following the rules and doing everything that everybody else is doing.

So I quickly realized this is the place to capitalize on on entrepreneurship and, you know, ability to venture out and start your own something and figure something out.

So I would dance shows and, you know, 14, 15, 16, like clubs and nights and restaurants and everything else.

So this was our biggest source of income.

My parents would with to, you know, read diplomas from the USSR University.

Your mom was a dishwasher.

My dad was a deliveryman.

And you're dancing in clubs on the side.

Numbers in clubs inside.

So it was kind of like it was a it was a tough, tough immigration, you know, And then the the the food stamps lines and, you know, in downtown Brooklyn, that was a bit tough.

And just the idea of handouts.

Welfare is not a pleasant not a pleasant idea.

I remember getting food, food stamps and then driving over to like like exchanging them to with old people, older people for food for $4, because, you know, we we could eat less but spend more on like the rent and everything.

So, I mean, it was it was amazing.

It was amazing.

From where I'm right now, looking back at everything that happened in life, I had the most amazing upbringing.

You know, I wouldn't change it for world.

The idea of quiet suburban living, you know, with with everything the school, you know, graduation.

The yearbook.

College job, you know, 2.5 kids, a dog in the way I think advanced that that I wouldn't be happy with that.

I think having that crazy roller coaster ride with dancing and who would have thought who would have thought.

Moving to the United States may have been the greatest challenge for his family.

It was a time filled with language barriers and financial struggles to overcome.

Even so, Max says he is truly thankful for his parents and the tough decision they made to move their family to America.

For Max, it was the competitions and continual practice that helped him hone his craft and become one of the elite professional Latin ballroom dancers in the world.

But reality television may have been a far reach from the vision he had for his future.

So they asked you to be on the first season?

Yes.

And then you said no.

What convinced you to be on the second season finally?

I was actually between partnerships, so I split with my partner and, you know, decided to give something else a try.

I mean, at that time, like, I've I've been dancing for about 20 years now, so, you know, it was one of those I've accomplished everything that I wanted to accomplish minus the world title, which I'm okay with my brother one, too.

So, you know, I live vicariously through him and his through me.

So we were cool.

And, you know, and I was ranked fourth in the world and pro at that time.

So they asked me to continue.

And then I was turning it down and down and whatever.

And at one point I was like, you know what?

Whatever.

Let's give it a try.

Never been to L.A., never been doing anything outside of competitive ballroom dancing.

So just try something else.

And so what was it like when you first got there?

What was the introduction like?

You know, I think it's one of those what you don't know can kill you.

So I had no clue what to expect, no idea what TV was.

Cameras don't really scare me.

I was so focused on my job, you know, and being a perfectionist and being, like, know in my ways, I figured it was very it was the most difficult part of that first season was the fact that there's so much to be produced.

And I wouldn't have any of it.

So I was the difficult one.

You can you can say that in the sun because it was difficult, because I just know the way I want to dance, the way I want to teach, the way I want my outcome to look like.

And so, you know, I would have a very clear understanding with every all of my partners, ever since, you know, where we need to practice and rehearse and put effort and time into it.

And then, you know, the production side come into play and producers want this and that and some drama and some shoot this and say that.

And here's your line.

I'm like, line.

There's no line.

I'm going to say what I want, you know?

So from that standpoint, the producers and me personally, we found common ground.

But it took us you know, it took us what is it now, ten seasons.

To get there.

To get there.

So I certainly feel part of the family now and and few of us, the recurring characters, you know, we feel like we belong to a huge family, very popular family, you know?

You know, I'm very, very, very technically ballroom oriented.

So, you know, I try not to flesh out and gimmick too much and step away from what ballroom dancing is.

You know, you have to understand that it's very difficult to do five dances for 24 years and keep trying to innovate, you know, because people don't understand.

We only have cha cha samba, rumba, Boston Jive Latin and then five ballroom dancer.

So, you know, you have to find a way to innovate within what it is that we do.

So, you know, people don't always have the ability to do that, you know, so so they would tap into other dance styles to kind of influence this, you know, chatter and rumba and whatever.

And I try to, you know, try to stay away from that.

In season eight, Maks was paired up with ESPN's College football reporter Erin Andrews, who is coming on the program right after a very high profile stalking case.

The unlikely duo brought a fresh interest in the show and with it a fresh set of challenges with air.

And it was a bit difficult because, you know, she's so able and, you know, both physically, mentally and all the other aspects on paper and had a lot of things to deal with that would take away from you.

And it's almost like you've got to be in the zone, you know, mindset and be completely disconnected from the rest of the world for two months, which is I mean, it's so hard to do it, almost impossible to do, you know, unless you you know, unless this is your element, you know, and you're comfortable with it with air.

And this was not her environment, you know, but I would have failed if she wasn't in the final, you know, because I know she's young, she's physically fit.

You know, she's totally capable.

We'll look great together.

So all the ingredients are there.

And it was so hard to put everything together.

It was so difficult, you know, And then she had that life drama outside of Dancing with Stars to deal with.

So we had to compensate for every distraction.

But with we're talking about like 5 minutes of distraction, had to be compensated with an hour of rehearsal, you know.

And so, you know, it turned into like 60 hours a week of rehearsing.

That's crazy.

I swear to you, for three months, every single day.

Every single day about six, 7 hours, we're in the studio.

And do you choreograph all of it yourself?

I do.

Do you get any help?

I don't.

It's not it's not a matter of pride.

I'm just very, very clear in my head on what is what is it that I want out of our performance.

So I would get the music, you know, I sit down, I listen to it like ten, 15 times, and it slowly starts coming to me, the format of our dance.

And then, you know, I put together the steps and like I said, this clear signature of my dancers and our performances.

It's very well thought out, very rhythmical, very timed, you know, accentuated, you know, the musical stuff.

So if if I do get help, somebody would come with their ideas and thoughts and it would be almost counterproductive.

So I found that it doesn't work for me.

And it's a huge challenge to keep coming up with routines every week.

Huge challenge because you get mentally exhausted.

But you know, it's better this than me having to redo something.

And then, you know, my point is get confused and there's just a lot of trouble.

For each professional paired with a celebrity partner.

There's always a method behind the apparent madness and as I learned, there's a lot more going on in the behind the scenes rehearsals than just the short outtakes the audience gets to see.

Still, it's Max's motivation to be involved and his passion to share his love of ballroom dancing with his Dancing with the Stars partners and others that come shining through.

Do you still teach on the side, or what do you do when you're not Dancing with the Stars?

Oh, I teach, of course I teach in my studios.

You know, I still I still lead a lot of my couples, not beginners anymore.

And I leave it up to my couples to then go on and teach.

You know, we have like a very cool farm system where we raise our own stuff.

So the three social studios and many more to come predominantly staffed by my ex students.

So that way we keep the more of the brand, you know, and then the level is also very high.

I spend a lot of time teaching in those studios, you know, and then and right now, because we have four locations, it almost takes up all my time so that I don't have I don't fly out, I don't teach anywhere else.

Our first studio is called Rising Star Dance Academy is still there, still exists now.

Val is running it, but and now we have three more social studios.

Those are businesses, you know, rising stars and more of a like mama papa shop, you know.

And then and it's totally nonprofit because because at one point we were like, we can't charge kids, you know, And this one doesn't have money.

Darwinism, you know, just integrated.

This one is in a tough situation.

So parents come in there like, well, we can't pay them.

Like, don't worry about it.

So it went from don't worry about it to now we are paying for some of the kids.

But anyway, the point is a lot of people are coming in now joining dance classes, whether they're adults or does bring their kids.

Parents saying, you know, this is what I want you to do, you know.

So it's it's it's pretty amazing, you know.

But I feel like one of the reasons it's popular in the US back in Russia and, you know, Eastern Europe in general is because it's part of part of a public school system.

And and I would love to see that happen to, you know, schools offer classes.

The problem is that we have so much so many issues with our education system now to begin with in this country that, you know, bringing in ballroom dancing is probably the last thing on people's minds.

But I want to say that aside from physical attributes, it also raises amazing gentlemen and ladies and maybe that is one of the answers, too.

But how important has that upbringing and that that clearly kind of Russian mentality about you must succeed?

I've been important to you achieving what you've achieved.

You think?

Well, I think it's it's it's because of I strongly believe it's so it's all in the family.

It's all because of the parents.

It's all in the upbringing.

I think, you know, I had an amazing upbringing, an incredible education.

The life lessons are absolutely priceless.

You know, my problem now is figuring out how I'm going to translate it to my kids without them having to go through everything I went through.

What are your parents say about your success?

That's McCaskey Family is a bit difficult.

It's like, you know, back in the day, I don't speak a word of English and they get 1350 on my S.A.T., you know, and mom goes out of work and like 1600, she goes, Well, this is a terrible score.

I'm like, You know what?

I'm not even talking to you right now.

I got 800 on math and 550 on a on English that I don't even understand what I'm what I'm reading.

And you're saying it's a terrible score.

But that's that's the kind of family I have.

You know, my brother would come come back with a 98 and it wasn't good enough because there's 100 to be to be earned.

So, you know, having said that, they all look at it like, yeah, they're proud, you know, you know, my grandma is proud because she's like the most popular grandma in her building.

Right.

And, you know, she's got clips and mom always, always on YouTube watching videos.

And, you know, my brother's amazing dancer as well.

So.

And Val, your brother's been on the show, too.

He's been on the show, but he's still competing.

And he's like, you know, she's a two time world champion coming up to his third title in this division.

And he's also a straight-A student and, you know, was a violinist for Manhattan Music Orchestra.

He was a first violin.

He played for Clinton's inauguration and every Fisher Hall and Carnegie Hall.

And so it's like a very accomplished family.

But the parents are looking at you like you could always do better.

You know, And and they're proud, but they wouldn't be like, Oh, my God, you're amazing.

They'd be like, Yeah, it was a good, you know, and then probably bragging to their friends, but we never hear that.

So.

So this has changed your life.

What's the biggest way that Dancing With the Stars has changed your life?

No, I mean, it was very interesting to see how the show changed everybody's lives and and brought ballroom dancing to like a completely different height.

You know, we certainly wanted it to happen, but there was nothing of that sort ever came about.

So we kind of we were this underground society.

We had a world and bone dancing is very popular in Europe and around the world, but not in the United States.

So it just, you know, raised awareness about what is it that we do and that's it.

And it just brings joy to people watching it.

I think I think our program is one of the best shows on television.

If you think about is probably the cleanest form of entertainment, the most amazing thing.

It's a paradox in itself.

You can watch it with a, you know, a four year old watching it with an 80 year old, you know, and everybody in between.

So on a personal note, what are you looking for in your life?

What is missing that you hope to achieve or filling the void in the future?

There's no void.

I just think that, you know, we all put on this, you know, earth.

I don't want to sound poetic, but, you know, the idea is, is, you know, passing it on to the next generation.

So definitely want kids.

Absolutely want it kids.

When I was 20, because I wanted my my, my kids to be as young as my parents.

But then I'm like, you know what?

I'm probably the youngest 30 year old you'll ever meet, you know, And I play ball and I just, you know, do stupid stuff with with my brother.

And he was my best friend who is six years younger.

So bike And in the fourth I feel younger, too.

But I grew up I was I was more mature than some of the 40 year olds when I was 15, you know, because of everything that I had to deal with.

So it's not in the age, it's in what you feel, it's in your heart.

So having said that, now I feel like I'm ready.

I'm ready for kids and marriage and everything else, but I'm not ready to to have to settle for somebody that, you know, I don't have 100% understanding with, you know, because I feel like, again, this place United States gave me and my family the idea of of freedom of choice, you know, And we chose our path.

We chose to do what we want to do with our life, no matter how much everybody else was laughing at us.

And so I feel like the same way, I want to be able to choose my life partner and whoever else and, you know, it's not somebody like it can be done through, you know, multiple choice questions and then just kind of thing.

Yes, you have to feel it.

So she comes along and I feel it and, you know, and it's her.

And notice, I'm not asking if that person happens to be Erin Andrews.

I know everybody has been asking, but, you know, and like I said, it's not it's it's something that has to happen.

It's not something that you can think about and you can't answer that You have to you have to feel it.

And and when it does happen, everybody will definitely know.

Nowadays, I feel like I'm enough under, you know, and the watchful eye, it's like a big my life turned into a big brother situation.

So until Max's perfect partner comes along, the only pairing TV audiences will get to see are the partners He hits the dance floor with and possibly a few surprises mixed in here and there.

I love doing shows like this, but this is kind of different because I've never really danced.

After I stopped competing, I've never really danced on, you know, any of my appearances type shows.

Well, maybe we should.

So it was the first time.

No, Maybe we should do it on.

This.

Show.

Yeah.

You want to show me a few moves.

So that you have to do them with me?

Well, I happen to have my ballroom shoes here.

It just.

I just by chance, That would be great.

Look at that.

Do that.

What do you think I could with your help?

But do.

You dance?

Well, I competed in Dancing with the Stars Chattanooga last year as part of the partnership fundraiser.

Oh, that's right.

I heard.

Yeah.

So how did you do?

I did good.

I got.

I got all tense and you won.

I didn't win the dance champion, but I won.

Fan favorite.

I'm willing to get better.

Sure.

All right, let's go.

I've learned so much about Max in such a short time.

From his fun sense of humor to the professional expertise he's earned.

So much respect for, and his dedication to share his enthusiasm and inspiring kids to get involved in dance.

So be sure to join me next week for an all new A-list with Bob Durrow, The Voice and creator behind Schoolhouse Rock.

He said, My little boy can't multiply, but he sings along with the Rolling Stones and gets their words.

Why not put it?

We'll call it multiplication rock.

Okay.

What do you think, Nancy?

Yeah, okay.

Yeah.

I'm Alison Lebovitz.

I see you then.