Back in his native Russia, top dancers are treated like rock stars, said Maksim Chmerkovskiy a regular on ABCs popular “Dancing With the Stars” competitions.
The eight-time “DWTS” participant said the show has done much to raise profile of dancers in the United States.
Mr. Chmerkovskiy is scheduled to appear at Dancing With the Stars Chattanooga, a charity event June 26.
“It (the ABC series) has opened up a lot of doors for all of us in the dance business in general,” he said. “People understand who we are and what we are about. There was some confusion about ballroom dancers, but it has put us in mainstream. I couldn’t be happier about that.”
The local competition is a fundraiser for the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. Celebrity contestants have been paired with experienced partners.
Judges and audience members will help select the winner on June 26 at the Tivoli, but people can vote for their favorite online, as well. Each vote is $1 and goes to the Partnership.
Mr. Chmerkovskiy has appeared on “DWTS” dancing with Tia Carrere, Willa Ford, Laila Ali, Melanie “Mel B” Brown, Misty May-Treanor, Debi Mazar, Denise Richards and this season with Erin Andrews. Ms. Andrews came in second to Nicole Scherzinger.
Mr. Chmerkovskiy said this season was the toughest for him because of outside issues in Ms. Andrews’ personal life.
“This year was extremely hard,” he said. “Not only did I have to do things that I have done in the past in teaching her to dance, we were also dealing with Erin’s personnel drama. I am not saying that was a bad thing, but it came into play.”
When not performing on the show, Mr. Chmerkovskiy owns four dance studios in the New York City area and is one of the creators and directors of Dance Team USA, a non-profit educational and charitable organization dedicated to recruiting, supporting and training future dancers.
If You Go
What: Dancing with the Stars Chattanooga.
When: 8 p.m. June 26.
Where: Tivoli Theatre, 709 Broad St.
Admission: $40-$150.
Phone: 697-3829.
Extra: To vote online or for more information, visit www.dancing withthestarschattanooga.com
The Contestants
Alexis Bogo
Kelly Brexler
Lynda Hood
Marc Cromie
Ed Harrison
Josh McManus