‘Dancing’s’ Maksim Chmerkovskiy Laments ‘Shoe-Gate’: ‘Swan Lake’ Became ‘Goose Pond’; Plus, Sparks Between He & Kirstie?

After hours of grueling rehearsal and choreography, Maksim Chmerkovskiy was excited to show off – complete with live accompaniment from an opera singer – he and partner Kirstie Alley’s elegant waltz for their “Dancing with the Stars” fans.

However, the handsome dancer says Kirstie’s shoe malfunction on Monday’s show rapidly caused what was supposed to be “Swan Lake” to deteriorate into “goose pond.”

“I turn around and I’m like, ‘What are you DOING?!?’” Maks told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Wednesday’s Access Hollywood Live of the moment he saw Kirstie sitting on the dance floor fiddling with her shoe during their performance. “I was supposed to give her my hands [in the dance] and she gives me hers, and we get up. [Instead], I wasn’t giving her my hands – I was [motioning to say], ‘What are you doing?!?’”

“Shoe-gate” is latest in a string of attention-grabbing incidents Maks and Kirstie have become known for on the hit reality competition.

In their debut performance, the former “Cheers” star surprised Maks with a lip-lock at the end of their quickstep – a moment that caught the seasoned “Dancing” pro completely off guard.

“I must admit I had no idea we were going to make out at the end of quickstep – never had that before,” Maks told Billy and Kit. “During the dance, normal people are freaking about, you know, ‘I shouldn’t forget the steps’ and this and that and whatever.

“With [Kirstie], we did the quickstep, she was pissed about making some mistakes,” he continued. “I look at her face and I’m like, ‘Oh crap.’ I knew something was coming. I had no idea what it was!”

The following week, the couple fell during their tribute dance to Kirstie’s late parents after Maks suffered a painful leg cramp, and Maks revealed he’s a bit worried that viewers aren’t seeing their true talent due to all of their mishaps.

“I don’t think people are noticing anything other than what is it that we’re going to do,” he told Billy and Kit. “I know our show [and] I know what week we’re in by [remembering], ‘Ok so, there was the kiss, whatever… there was the fall, there was the shoe-gate.

“I just want to do one dance, just put it out there, and say ‘Look, we are good!’” he later added. “It’s not a comedy hour.”

Despite their unfortunate incidents, Maks and Kirstie seem to have an “undeniable chemistry” according to Kit, who visited the ABC show last week.

“[Kirstie] was slapping you on the fanny, the backside, you were all over her. The cameras weren’t even rolling. Is there something there? Do you like older women?” Kit asked.

“I think they like me,” Maks laughed. “We have a great a chemistry. She’s a comedian and she’s like that in real life. I think that’s what makes her great in what she does because that’s her reality. She just lives it.

“I just don’t think she cares about what other people think,” he added. “She’s just being funny and fun the whole time. It’s an amazing ride.”

Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Read More

Jenn Tran Makes History As First Asian-American Bachelorette For Season 21