Maks Was A Dancing Diva! Chmerkovskiy Reportedly Fired From DWTS, 'His Self-Importance Got The Best Of Him'
![Maksim Chmerkovskiy](https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/480x251/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 480w, https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/640x335/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 640w, https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/768x402/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 768w, https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/1024x536/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 1024w, https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/1280x670/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 1280w, https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/1440x753/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 1440w, https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/1600x837/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 1600w, https://media.radaronline.com/brand-img/Ja8akzsJL/2160x1130/2013/03/pp_maksditched_wenn.jpg?position=top 2160w)
Mar. 6 2013, Published 6:46 a.m. ET
After reports started surfacing that fan favorite Maksim Chmerkovskiy would not be returning for season 16 of Dancing with the Stars, the pro-hoofer was quick to release a statement claiming it was his decision to leave -- but an explosive new report in Star magazine says that in actuality it was the producers of the hit show who made the decision, NOT him!
“Maks is trying to spin it as if it was his decision, but in reality, he was not asked back,” a show insider dishes to Star.
- Former 'Dancing With the Stars' Contestant Lele Pons Reveals Vicious Dog Attack on Game Show
- Donald Trump's Alleged Mistress Karen McDougal Received 'Dancing With the Stars' Offer Shortly Before Ex-Prez's Friend David Pecker Paid $150k for Her Story
- 'Full of Herself': Julianne Hough's Diva Behavior Causing Tension on 'DWTS' Exit: Report
The Ukrainian-born dancer claimed in his statement that it was time for him to quit as he was “eager to explore other opportunities,” but Star magazine reports it was Maks’ over-sized ego that was really behind his departure.
“His self-importance got the best of him long ago, and he became really difficult,” the source claims.
For the full 411 on Maksim's diva demands and why he was fired, pick up the latest issue of Star magazine -- on newsstands Thursday.