Maks Chmerkovskiy ‘Excited’ About ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Changes, But Still Won’t Return

“Dancing With the Stars” might be in for some big changes ahead of a potential 29th season this Fall, but Maks Chmerkovskiy won’t be around to see them—at least not in a pro capacity.

While promoting the “Maks & Val 2020: Motion Pictures Tour,” the Season 18 Mirrorball champ revealed that his return to the show would only be in a supporting capacity, especially as his brother, Val, sister-in-law, Jenna Johnson, and wife, Peta Murgatroyd, all continue to compete.

“I think I’m just going to be the sideline mascot bringing babies to see their parents do their thing. I’ll be that person,” he told Us Weekly.

He also revealed that his support would not only extend to his family, but the show itself, which he feels is making some great changes going forward which will hopefully keep it on the air for several more years.

“I’m excited about all the opportunities. I keep saying the platform has been amazing. It’s great to see new faces especially representing ballroom dance. We’ve had an incredible wave of new people that are now representing the same way, and probably better,” he said. “This is exciting. Some changes are happening to the show [and] I just want it to stick around. So, if I need to support it on the side and be that mascot, I’ll do it.”

Among the potential changes the show could be bringing? Rumors surfaced recently that after floating the idea for a while, a same-sex partnership could be in the works for Season 29. Former Producer Steven Price revealed to The Sun U.S. that he thinks the time has come and that it will bring a very new twist to the long-term show,

“The Midwest is changing their dynamic now...they are changing. They are being more open to it because they are just being introduced to it...love is love,” he said. “The chemistry is all the same. Same-sex it just brings a different twist to it, because that’s something that needs to be addressed and out there.”

The show has yet to officially be picked up for another season, though it is expected to resume its place on ABC’s Fall schedule.