{"id":205359,"date":"2025-11-15T07:39:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-15T07:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/15\/maks-chmerkovskiy-reacts-to-dwts-tribute-to-kirstie-alley\/"},"modified":"2025-11-15T07:39:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T07:39:21","slug":"maks-chmerkovskiy-reacts-to-dwts-tribute-to-kirstie-alley","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/15\/maks-chmerkovskiy-reacts-to-dwts-tribute-to-kirstie-alley\/","title":{"rendered":"Maks Chmerkovskiy Reacts to DWTS Tribute to Kirstie Alley"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Maks Chmerkovskiy<\/strong><\/a> has opened up about how Dancing With the Stars<\/em>\u2019<\/a> 20th anniversary special\u2019s In Memoriam dance made him particularly emotional.<\/p>\n

Speaking on the Thursday, November 14 episode of podcast \u201cPenthuse with Peta,\u201d<\/a> Chmerkovskiy, 45, said emotions \u201covercame\u201d him when the tribute to the late Kirstie Alley<\/strong><\/a> occurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt the second biggest, most heartfelt part was what is that called, In Memoriam?\u201d Chmerkovskiy said, as he reflected on the episode that aired on Tuesday, November 11.\u00a0 \u201cFirst of all, Ezra [Sosa]<\/strong> and Rylee [Arnold]<\/strong> did a great dance, you know, giving it the forefront.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued, \u201cBut those are my people. You know, it\u2019s my generation, people who drew tears a little bit like when Kirstie Alley<\/strong> 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Maks Chmerkovskiy Says Kirstie Alley Called Him ‘Flirty’ on ‘DWTS’<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tAccording to Maks Chmerkovskiy, Kirstie Alley once mistook his dance moves as something else while rehearsing for Dancing With the Stars. \u201cKirstie Alley told me, \u2018Oh, my God. You\u2019re so flirty.\u2019 And I was like, \u2018What do you mean?\u2019\u201d the former DWTS pro, 45, recalled on the Monday, February 24, episode of the \u201cSibling Revelry\u201d [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Alley competed on DWTS<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n

She was among the late celebrities that were honored in the In Memoriam dance. Other former DWTS<\/em> contestants featured in the segment included Jerry Springer<\/strong> (Season 3), followed by Cloris Leachman<\/strong> (Season 7), Aaron Carter<\/strong> (Season 9), Shannen Doherty<\/strong> (Season 10) and Florence Henderson<\/strong> (Season 11) and more.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s remember the members of our ballroom family who are no longer with us,\u201d DWTS<\/em> cohost Alfonso Ribeiro<\/strong>, 54, said during the episode. \u201cThey will live forever in our hearts.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Maks Chmerkovskiy and Kirstie Alley.<\/span> (Photo by Getty)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alley died in December 2022<\/a> following a battle with cancer. She was 71.<\/p>\n

The Cheers<\/em> actress\u2019s death was confirmed by her two children, William True Stevenson<\/strong> and Lillie Stevenson<\/strong> via a post shared to her Instagram on December 5, 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,\u201d they shared via the post. \u201cShe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

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