Maks Chmerkovskiy has opened up about how Dancing With the Stars’ 20th anniversary special’s In Memoriam dance made him particularly emotional.
Speaking on the Thursday, November 14 episode of podcast “Penthuse with Peta,” Chmerkovskiy, 45, said emotions “overcame” him when the tribute to the late Kirstie Alley occurred.
“I felt the second biggest, most heartfelt part was what is that called, In Memoriam?” Chmerkovskiy said, as he reflected on the episode that aired on Tuesday, November 11. “First of all, Ezra [Sosa] and Rylee [Arnold] did a great dance, you know, giving it the forefront.”
He continued, “But those are my people. You know, it’s my generation, people who drew tears a little bit like when Kirstie Alley popped up and like, [it] overcame me a little bit. So, you know, these things come back. Those are people that I remember, and I realized, wow, they passed away.”
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Alley competed on DWTS in season 12 in 2011 as well as the All Stars season (season 15) the following year. The actress was partnered with Chmerkovskiy for both seasons.
She was among the late celebrities that were honored in the In Memoriam dance. Other former DWTS contestants featured in the segment included Jerry Springer (Season 3), followed by Cloris Leachman (Season 7), Aaron Carter (Season 9), Shannen Doherty (Season 10) and Florence Henderson (Season 11) and more.
“Let’s remember the members of our ballroom family who are no longer with us,” DWTS cohost Alfonso Ribeiro, 54, said during the episode. “They will live forever in our hearts.”
Alley died in December 2022 following a battle with cancer. She was 71.
The Cheers actress’s death was confirmed by her two children, William True Stevenson and Lillie Stevenson via a post shared to her Instagram on December 5, 2022.
“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” they shared via the post. “She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
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The following day, Chmerkovskiy shared a tribute to Alley via his Instagram account.
“My dearest Kirstie, We haven’t spoken lately and I’ll tell you everything when I finally see you, but for now I want to say that I love you very much and I wish you the most peaceful rest,” he wrote at the time. “You were one of the most unique people I have ever met and easily one of the brightest moments of my personal and professional life. Some of our relationship is heavily documented. Most of it is known to select few. All of it was like a wild rollercoaster. From Maude to DJ Lil Buttercup you were always all in for life.”
He added, “I thought you’d be around forever. I wish we spoke often. Thank you for everything. I love you Kirstie Alley. RIP.”
