Maks Chmerkovskiy Emotional Over DWTS Tribute to Late Kirstie Alley

In November 2025, the 20th anniversary special of the hit TV show Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) aired, and it proved to be a particularly emotional event for dancer Maks Chmerkovskiy. During the episode, the show paid tribute to several late DWTS contestants in an "In Memoriam" dance segment, which deeply affected Chmerkovskiy.

Reflecting on the special, Chmerkovskiy, 45, revealed that the tribute dance made him feel the "second biggest, most heartfelt part" of the anniversary episode. He was especially moved when his former dance partner, actress Kirstie Alley, was featured in the segment. Alley, who competed on DWTS in 2011 and 2012, passed away in December 2022 after a battle with cancer at the age of 71.

Chmerkovskiy, who danced with Alley during her time on the show, said her inclusion in the tribute "overcame" him with emotion. The dancer also noted that the segment honored other late DWTS contestants, including Jerry Springer, Cloris Leachman, Aaron Carter, Shannen Doherty, and Florence Henderson, all of whom he considered part of his "ballroom family."

As DWTS co-host Alfonso Ribeiro stated during the episode, these former contestants "will live forever in our hearts." For Chmerkovskiy, the anniversary special's poignant tribute served as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact these stars had on the show and its community.