'Dancing With the Stars' Pro Takes a Break

Zap2It.com | February 18, 2008

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 'Dancing With the Stars'

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Maksim Chmerkovskiy won't partner up for the sixth season

Ushering a female boxer and a Spice Girl to the finals of "Dancing With the Stars" can take a lot out of a guy.

That's why Maksim Chmerkovskiy, one of the professional dancers on the ABC hit reality dance competition show, won't be showing off his fancy footwork or waxed chest on the upcoming season, reports People.

"He just needs a break," says an ABC spokesperson. "He is part of the 'Dancing' family, and he will be back."

Chmerkovskiy, 28, had been feeling burned out from the grueling schedule, which requires the dancers and their proteges to work for 14 weeks straight.

He's been on the show since the second season, when he mentored Tia Carrere on the dance floor. The following season, he partnered with Willa Ford. Neither made it very far, so it wasn't until he paired up with Laila Ali (Season 4) and Spice Girl Melanie Brown (Season 5) that he got a full workout for back-to-back seasons because they each made it to the finals.

It is likely that Chmerkovskiy will be back for the seventh season of "Dancing."

In the meantime, Chmerkovskiy has choreographed the Wynn Las Vegas' water show La Reve and is finishing up a "Dancing" fitness DVD along with fellow pro Cheryl Burke.