Photo: Eric McCandless/ABC
Maksim Chmerkovskiyand his brotherValarerememberingtheirDancing with the Starscostar and head judge,Len Goodman.
The professional dancers recalled their strong bond with Goodman — whodied from bone cancerlast month at age 78 — starting from the early days of their career to their time together onDWTS.
“Len Goodman had that type of authority in the dance world and he earned that authority,” Val, 37, toldEntertainment Tonight. “Not just on camera but behind the scenes for 50 years of being in competitive ballroom dancing, so we know Len from those days.”
“And then to have been introduced to Len on camera in front of millions of people, he felt like family,” he continued. “He felt like a granddad to us, our dance granddad and yeah, we’ll miss him. I think the show will be very different without him.”
Maks (left) and Val Chmerkovskiy.Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
Maskim, 43, discussed how Goodman, who was head judge ofDancing with the Starsfrom 2005 to 2022, impacted the dance competition show.
“Just looking back at whatever I look at that was significant for me, he was there in some way or form. I felt close to him as a person, but I felt close to the idea of Len Goodman… I think Len was the anchor that held all three of them down through some periods of time,” he said referring to Goodman and his fellow judgesCarrie Ann Inabaand Bruno Tonioli.
He continued: “But the character of Len Goodman is what made the show a big part of what made the show stick around, stay and he developed that character for other countries. They all try to find a Len Goodman and it’s hard because they can’t, really.”
RELATED VIDEO: Len Goodman, FormerDancing with the StarsHead Judge, Dead at 78
Goodman’s manager Jackie Gill confirmed his death in a statement released on April 24.
Maksim and Val also opened up toEntertainment Tonightabout the news ofJulianne HoughjoiningAlfonso Ribeiroas co-host of the series afterTyra Banksannounced her plans toexit the show following three seasonsin March.
“She’s not just qualified, she’s kind of been in every single role in the show and it’s a family show, so that familiarity is important,” Maksim said of Hough, who was a pro onDWTSfrom 2007 to 2009 and served as a judge from 2014 to 2021. “I think those are the things that people at home are looking for as well. She’s familiar. There’s a lot of ties and because of that it’ll add to the show and she’ll do a great job.”
He added that he was “very happy” with Ribeiro, adding, “It wasn’t the negativity towards Tyra or whether or not I think she did a good job or not, we can turn that page if we want and now I’m super happy for this dude who owned it, who has it. He’s the guy for the job.”
Val chimed in, “Just to speak on Tyra. She came in at a very turbulent time in the show and in entertainment in general. We were going through COVID, a lot of that onstage rules of distance and all that stuff I think was a hurdle for her and for all of us to bond and connect and I think she held it down.”
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Season 32 ofDancing with the Starsis set to premiere this fallon ABC and Disney+.
source: people.com
