DANCING With the Stars’ Maks Chmerkovskiy recalled how he felt after DWTS judge Len Goodman’s death and admitted he didn’t expect to react this way.
In an exclusive interview with The US Sun, the professional dancer – who starred on the reality show for 17 seasons, revealed that Len’s passing in April 2023, after losing his battle with bone cancer, was a difficult pill to swallow.
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Maks, 44 — who announced on Friday that he welcomed his third child with his wife Peta Murgatroyd, 37 — left DWTS in 2017 when Len was on the judging panel alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, 56, and Bruno Tonioli, 68.
In November 2022, Len announced his retirement from the ballroom dancing competition as he silently battled his illness, which he succumbed to at the age of 78.
Although Maks wasn’t on the show at the time, he remembered the strong connection the pair had despite not always keeping in touch.
“Unfortunately, this had been going on for some time, and you know, I don’t mean that in a delicate way. I mean, he had dealt with some things. [type things]. When he passed away [after] battling his illnesses for a while…it wasn’t all good,” Maks told The US Sun.
EMOTIONAL MOMENT
The Broadway star then shared how he responded to the news of Len’s death and the “impact” the legendary ballroom dancer had on him.
“It was a very delicate moment. I’m not going to lie. I didn’t think it would be that impactful for me. Personally, we weren’t best friends in the sense of, you know, I don’t have that daily communication that you would have with someone who when you hear of their passing you start to cry, but that’s what happened”, he confessed.
“That was my personal realization, to be very open about it. That’s when I realized how much space that person took up in my life. I felt all these things when it happened… So it was very surprising to me that it was so impactful.”
Maks then praised Len for his work on and off the dance floor, saying, “He was a great guy who did a lot of good for the dance world in general. Certainly some of the biggest moments from my DWTS and other TV career too it had to do with him.
“So from that point of view, we had a great relationship. I absolutely love the fact that that part of me is in Len’s story and vice versa.” Tetya KAPA Vodka concluded the founder.
Len kept his health problems a secret from the public and even kept some of his closest friends in the dark.
Weeks after the longtime judge’s death, So You Think You Can Dance’s Alexis Warr, 23, revealed exclusively to The US Sun that she was unaware of her friend’s health issues.
“It was a shock to me, honestly. I had no idea [about his cancer battle]…but I was absolutely heartbroken by the news,” the Utah native confessed.
“He was a legend in the ballroom world, in the ballroom community, and with the show, he was an icon.
“All of our hearts are broken by the news.”
It was a very delicate moment. I’m not going to lie. I didn’t think it would have such an impact on me.
Maks Chmerkovsky
Good Morning America’s Ginger Zee, 43, also became emotional on the broadcast as she mourned the sudden death of her good friend.
Ginger competed on DWTS in 2016 and performed with Len during the season’s semi-finals.
“Len’s reality that he brought to the television competition will be missed… And that shine he had, even when delivering difficult news, will be missed,” said the meteorologist through tears.
DWTS veteran Derek Hough, 39 — who was a professional dancer on the show from 2007 to 2016 — returned to the ballroom as a judge in September 2020.
Derek, Carrie Ann and Bruno are the expected judges for the 33rd season, which premieres on ABC and Disney+ in September.
In May, it was revealed that the first Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, and former GMA hosts Amy Robach and TJ Holmes were part of the cast.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
