The "Dancing With the Stars: All-Stars" champion has been crowned, and now some of the show's all-star pro dancers may be sitting out the next round. While the next installment of the long-running dancing competition isn't slated to start until next spring, there's already buzz about who will -- and won't -- be on the dance card.
Derek Hough
After last month's all-stars finale, some fans wondered why popular pro dancer Derek Hough said that winning the "All-Stars" season would have been "a perfect ending." Was he referring to his time on dance floor with partner Shawn Johnson or his long tenure on the show?The three-time mirror ball champ told press line reporters, "There is so much more I want to do. It's just about the next chapter. It's been 10 seasons of this, and I've won three times. And the seasons I haven't won, I've been more than proud of, and it's been extraordinary. I feel like it's conquered and on to the next, you know?"
After back-to-back mirror ball wins, Hough took a break from the show in Season 12 to film the movie "Cobu 3D," but could the next break be permanent?
"I will always want to be a part of the show in some way," he said.
Cheryl Burke
She's been married to her work for 14 seasons, and now "DWTS" pro Cheryl Burke is looking for love and possibly marriage. The two-time mirror ball winner told Us Weekly that she's been in talks to star as the next "Bachelorette.""I did meet with the execs, but we'll see what happens," Burke said. "There hasn't been a firm offer, but if they offer it to me, I would love to do it."
While ABC won't comment, it's been no secret that Burke -- who is under contract with "DWTS" for a few more seasons -- has been shopping for a reality TV deal. Her rep told the New York Post that any upcoming reality projects "won't stray far from her roots." Burke said, "I know that without ['Dancing'], I wouldn't be where I am today, but it would be nice to take a little bit of a break."
If Burke lands the "Bachelorette" gig, it wouldn't be the first time a celeb doled out roses on the show. NFL star Jesse Palmer starred as the Season 5 "Bachelor" and actor Charlie O'Connell ("Sliders") was also a star on the ABC show. And if you think a "Bachelorette"/"Dancing With the Stars" crossover sounds far-fetched, don't forget that reigning mirror ball champ Melissa Rycroft was the "winner" of the dating series back in 2009.
Maksim Chmerkovskiy
Ukrainian pro dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy has never won a mirror ball trophy and has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with some of the show's recent changes, such as the addition of non-ballroom style dances and combos. On his TV Guide blog, he complained, "This show has become so much more about politics. It's about how much media coverage each couple has, and now we have paparazzi camping out of the studio, which is ridiculous." He added, "I have not made a decision about next season yet. To be honest, I have many offers, and I might need a break."But Maksim later told Wetpaint that he'll be back next season if it's in the cards. "I'm under contract, as I've said, for another, I think, two," he said. "I'm not trying to jump the contract, and I love the show. What it is now is a little different than what it used to be, so we have different perspectives. So I would love to. If there's going to be a better -- not better, in that sense of the word -- something interesting of an opportunity, I'll politely ask to pursue that. "
Anna Trebunskaya
Russian pro dancer Anna Trebunskaya told Celebuzz that she doesn't know if she'll be on the show next season, but added, "I hope so." She also said she tends to root for athletes to win -- her past "DWTS" partners include NFL stars Jerry Rice and Kurt Warner, boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, mixed martial artist Chick Liddell, and Olympic skater Evan Lysacek.What about the judges?
The "DWTS" judges' table hasn't changed in 15 seasons. And while ballroom experts Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli certainly know their stuff, could it be time to bring in some new blood?This season's winning champ Tony Dovolani says he likes the judges (he even plays golf with Len!) but agreed that the judges table could use a shakeup. During an appearance on pal Wendy Williams's talk show, Dovolani said, "I think they need to bring Paula (Abdul) in."
And Maksim Chmerkovskiy agrees that changes are in order for the long-running show. He recently told Wetpaint, "If they want to change something, get rid of the judges. Just bring in new people."
The 16th season of "Dancing With the Stars will premiere on ABC in March.
More from this contributor:
The all-stars shine on 'DWTS' Season 15'DWTS: All-Stars': Karina Smirnoff dishes on trio dances
Backstage at 'DWTS': Karina Smirnoff talks chemistry and that mid-dance slip
