As Season 19 of "Dancing with the Stars" is in full swing, former show professional dancer and Season 18 winner Maksim Chmerkovskiy is enjoying life without the show.

On Saturday, Chmerkovskiy attended the Alfalit International Global Literacy Dinner in Miami (he donated private dance lessons for four for the charity), according to People magazine. While at the event, the 34-year-old dancer explained he is satisfied with his time on the show after finally winning the mirrorball trophy last season with partner Meryl Davis.

"I am more than dancing," he explained. "I was a dancing pro on the show for about a decade, and I needed the trophy to show for it. But Meryl was part of that."

Davis, amongst others, has been rumored to be romantic with Chmerkovskiy, but have the two been hanging out since their partnership ended?

"... while I am doing other things, Meryl is a close friend and has become very important in my life," Chmerkovskiy shared. "We have new projects together."

Nowadays, Chmerkovskiy is fine-tuning his acting skills. He also recently expanded his Dance With Me Dance Studios with its sixth location in Los Angeles. The dancer also has a jewelry line called MAKSIM.

With all this under his belt, however, Chmerkovskiy still can't help but think about love.

"I am a hopeless romantic who falls in lust and gets in trouble," he said. "I love my work and am very productive, yet I always find time to play."

He still won't get detailed about his rumored romance with Jennifer Lopez, however.

"Yes, she's great, I have fun, and while other names are out there ... I am not a scumbag," Chmerkovskiy said.

With his schedule seemingly filled, will Chmerkovskiy ever return to the show that made him famous?

"I still watch the show because it is part of me and will be 50 years from now," he said. "Winning was a huge portion of a big chunk of my life. I am not sure if I will return or in what capacity. Time will tell."

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Follow Scharon Harding on Twitter: @ScharHar.

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