Maksim Chmerkovskiy Leaves 'Dancing With The Stars'

It seems despite being a staple on the show since their second season, Maksim Chmerkovskiy will not be returning to “Dancing with the Stars” for their sixteenth season, premiering next month.

Chmerkovskiy reportedly “spoke with producers a few days ago and informed them that he wouldn't be returning for the upcoming season," despite originally claiming he would quit after the seventeenth season of the popular show.

"What else do I have to do there after 15 seasons? It makes total sense. The audience can't expect for me to want to stick around, and the producers can't expect for me to want to stick around,” Chmerkovskiy said.

Known as the “bad boy” on the dance floor, Chmerkovskiy says, "At 33, I am at what-about-me time. I am not thinking that with me leaving, the show will go off the air or anything.”

“Like my dad said, 'There are no irreplaceable people.' I wish them the next 50 years of success. But I have to do something else. I need to move on for me.'"

Chmerkovskiy has expressed an interest in making film appearances, like his “DWTS” counterpart Julianne Hough, who left the show and has been edging into Hollywood via “Safe Haven.” Chmerkovskiy has already made a few small television appearances, including a guest appearance on “The Ex’s.”

He also appeared on the Ukrainian  version of “The Bachelor.”

Chmerkovskiy's younger brother Val Chmerkovskiy will reportedly be taking Chmerkovskiy’s place on “Dancing with the Stars.” He appeared on the show’s thirteenth season, and has been linked to his celebrity partner at the time, Kelly Monaco.

“Dancing With The Stars” premieres March 18^th. The new cast will be announced by ABC on Tuesday.