'Dancing With the Stars': Where's Maks?

Maks Chmerkovskiy didn’t dance because of “a personal issue,” the ABC contest told viewers.

Insiders are sharing details. Chmerkovskiy didn’t want to dance with “difficult” partner Vanessa Lachey and may not return, RadarOnline.com reported. (Alan Bersten danced Monday with Lachey.) Radar’s headline: “‘DWTS’ drama! Maks ditches show due to Vanessa’s diva demands.”

People magazine quoted “sources” who said “Chmerkovskiy did not perform by choice because of ongoing conflict with Lachey.”

“There’s a big chemistry issue,” one insider told the magazine. “They both have big personalities and that’s not always the best recipe for a good partnership.”

But a “DWTS” spokesperson said early Tuesday afternoon: “Maks and Vanessa are returning to rehearsals and will be dancing together on next week's show.”

Chmerkovkisy is one of the show’s most famous professional dancers, known for his skill and demanding style.

News about him injects some drama into “DWTS,” which is celebrating its 25th season.

Monday’s episode saluted the celebrities’ guilty pleasures. The standout was violinist Lindsey Stirling, who shared an exuberant jive with Mark Ballas after revealing she had recently broken up. Len Goodman called the jive the dance of the season so far, and Carrie Ann Inaba said the routine was one of her favorites in the show’s history. Each judge gave Stirling a 9 for a total of 27, and she sits atop the leader board.

The show made no eliminations Monday, but “Pretty Little Liars” actress Sasha Pieterse scored the lowest points for a comical jazz dance with a cooking theme. She is probably in jeopardy next Monday.

Actor-singer Jordan Fisher, who closed the show with a superhero Charleston, ranked second with 25 points. Goodman called it a terrific dance but said it had virtually no Charleston.

Whatever the backstage problems, TV personality Lachey scored 23 points for her jazz dance to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” Even so, Inaba called attention to mistakes.

“Property Brothers” star Drew Scott was better than ever on an Argentine tango and also earned 23 points. ESPN personality Victoria Arlen, who was unable to walk for a decade, delivered a quickstep that Goodman found joyful. She collected 22 points.

The judges loved their 7 paddles, and these celebrities earned 21 points: Derek Fisher, Nikki Bella, Frankie Muniz, Nick Lachey (Vanessa’s husband) and Terrell Owens.

“Malcolm in the Middle” star Muniz was the most fun to watch as saluted boy fans. Bella had fiancé John Cena in the audience offering support.

And there’s the issue of Maks. It’s good news that he’ll be back next week, because the show needs him.