‘Dancing With the Stars’ Pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy Reacts to Kirstie Alley’s Death After Feud: ‘One of the Most Unique People I Have Ever Met’

06.12.2022 - 16:15 / usmagazine.com

Maksim Chmerkovskiy paid tribute to his former Dancing With the Stars partner Kirstie Alley after her death on Monday, December 5.

“My dearest Kirstie, We haven’t spoken lately and I’ll tell you everything when I finally see you, but for now I want to say that I love you very much and I wish you the most peaceful rest,” he began in the early hours of Tuesday, December 6, via Instagram. “You were one of the most unique people I have ever met and easily one of the brightest moments of my personal and professional life. Some of our relationship is heavily documented. Most of it is known to select few. All of it was like a wild rollercoaster. From Maude to DJ Lil Buttercup you were always all in for life.”

Chmerkovskiy, 42, added that all of their “memories of our time together rush to my head” as he wrote out the tribute.

“I remember how absolutely wild you were and I start to tear up. Something you’d absolutely hate. And now I can’t help but smile because I remembered exactly what you wanted me to say at your funeral,” he wrote. “Don’t think I can do it here …”

The dancer concluded: “I thought you’d be around forever. I wish we spoke often. Thank you for everything. I love you Kirstie Alley. RIP.”

Alley, who worked with the choreographer on seasons 12 and 15 of the hit dancing show, passed away at age 71 following a brief battle with cancer.

“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” the late actress’ kids, William and Lillie, wrote via their late mother’s Instagram. “She 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