Dancing with the Stars

Team USA rugby star Ilona Maher has skyrocketed in fame this year ... so could a career in Hollywood be in her future??

Well, don't count it out ... 'cause she tells TMZ Sports she's already got an idea for how she could get on one of the biggest shows in TV!!

We caught up with the bronze medalist out and about at recent Emmy festivities ... when we naturally asked if she'd ever consider giving her acting chops a try at some point.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy says he's going to wait before vilifying Artem Chigvintsev for his domestic violence arrest ... saying his alleged actions don't jibe with the man he knows -- though he will hold him accountable if they turn out to be true.

The "Dancing with the Stars" pro sat down for a chat on "The TMZ Podcast" ... and, we had to ask him all about his friend and former costar -- and, he says he texted him after he heard about the arrest.

MC says the Artem he knows would never abuse a woman ... but, he also texted Artem and told him if he did hit his wife Nikki Bella, then he needed to accept responsibility for his actions.

Xandra Pohl is adding fuel to the speculation surrounding her relationship status with Danny Amendola -- the Sports Illustrated swimsuit model was among the folks in attendance for his "Dancing With The Stars" debut on Tuesday ... even sitting with the former NFLer's fam for the event.

Pohl -- who's also a professional DJ -- didn't shy away from the fact she was present for the premiere episode ... sharing an Instagram pic of her posing on the dance floor alongside former "Bachelor" contestant Kelsey Anderson.

Despite the Super Bowl champ's absence from the social media post, the night is being dubbed a "hard launch" by some social media users ... as the 'DWTS' cams captured Pohl celebrating with DA's loved ones after his routine.

Anna Delvey Cha-Cha'd her way onto the "Dancing with the Stars" season premiere with new pro Ezra Sosa -- and her ankle monitor was shining brighter than a mirror ball!

The controversial socialite was hyped as a "fashionista and entrepreneur" at the top of the show ... then she hit the floor to Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso," with a grand finale that had Ezra grabbing her ankle monitor for a literal show-stopping moment.

Delvey snagged a trio of lackluster 6s from the judges ... with Bruno Tonioli slipping in a cheeky pun about Netflix’s "Inventing Anna" based on her criminal past ... shouting, "Reinventing Anna ... yet again! And, it just might be working!"

Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev are tag-teaming quality time with their son, Matteo ... weeks after the "Dancing With the Stars" pro was arrested for domestic violence.

The retired WWE star came into contact with her estranged husband in Napa Valley on Sunday ... marking the first time the exes have been photographed together since their drama at home.

Their exchange was all business, as Artem arrived at the house he previously shared with Nikki for some one-on-one time with 4-year-old Matteo ... when he briefly crossed paths with his estranged wife in the front yard.

Michaela Mabinty DePrince -- a ballerina who went from war-torn Sierra Leone to international dancing fame -- has died ... according to a statement posted to her Instagram.

A black and white pic of the star was posted to the account ... with a long caption focused on Michaela's "grace, purpose and strength" -- adding she poured her efforts into both her dancing and her humanitarian efforts.

Her team notes how she was only alive for a short time ... but, her legacy will continue to live on with all those who knew her. No cause of death was noted in the post.

Artem Chigvintsev and Nikki Bella's divorce is already getting ugly ... because they are at odds over two major issues ... money and their son.

According to a report by Us Weekly, Artem responded Friday to Nikki's divorce filing ... and he's asking for joint legal and physical custody of their 4-year-old son, Matteo.

The "Dancing With The Stars" pro is also asking for spousal support from Nikki.

Gleb Savchenko is pumping the brakes on steamy romance rumors about his "Dancing With The Stars" partner Brooks Nader ... telling TMZ they're just friends.

The longtime dance pro tells TMZ ... while Brooks is cool and fun, he’s not into her romantically, and he’s not focused on dating anyone right now.

In case you didn't know, every season, 'DWTS' loves to play up his flirty nature, so this really isn't anything new.

Nikki Bella is tapping out when it comes to her marriage ... because she just filed to divorce Artem Chigvintsev ... only weeks after he was arrested for domestic violence.

The retired WWE star beelined it to court Wednesday and filed for divorce after 2 years of marriage ... according to online records.

The divorce filing comes nearly 2 weeks after Artem was arrested Aug. 29 for felony corporal injury to spouse or cohabitant for allegedly attacking Nikki -- resulting in a visible injury that triggered his arrest.

Dwight Howard hasn't fully committed to retirement from the NBA, but there is one sport we'll never see him in again -- as he tells TMZ Sports his wrestling dreams are over ... and it's all thanks to Ric Flair!!

We caught up with the former Lakers center out in L.A. this week ... and as he gets ready to enter into the world of tangos and waltzes on this season of "Dancing With The Stars" -- we just had to ask how his WWE aspirations were going.

You'll recall, back in 2022, he actually tried out for the org. ... and one of the promos he cut went so viral -- many expected him to enter the biz when his hooping career officially finishes.

Anna Delvey is going off on Whoopi Goldberg and the other cohosts of "The View" ... telling them to get their story straight after the TV host blasted the controversial socialite for being cast on this season of "Dancing with the Stars."

A source close to Anna tells TMZ ... Anna did her time behind bars, spent 3 years under house arrest, and paid restitution.

A 2022 email from a senior attorney with the New York State government, seen by TMZ, confirms she has repaid her victims in full ... and her case was closed as of Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence arrest is moving along ... 'cause the Napa County Sheriff just turned the case over to the D.A. -- and, formal charges could be coming.

Napa County D.A. Spokesperson Carlos Villatoro tells TMZ ... their office is currently reviewing the case, and no decision has been made yet on charges the pro dancer may face.

We're told the D.A. will make a decision after a thorough review of the case and will then make a public announcement.

Nikki Bella was seen for the first time since Artem Chigvintsev's domestic violence arrest ... and her bare ring finger speaks volumes about the state of their marriage.

The former WWE star was just spotted in Oakland, boarding a private plane with a gal pal ... likely headed to Las Vegas where she'll be cohosting Netflix's live hotdog eating competition, "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef" Monday.

Bella hopped on the plane with a big grin, hat pulled low over her eyes ... but, obviously, everyone's looking at her finger -- 'cause she's ditched her wedding ring after a tumultuous week.

Smooshed inside this squiggly star is one smokin' hot birthday girl here to make all your wishes come true! Put your celeb knowledge to the test and see if you can guess the mashed-up celeb!

This gal is a triple threat: she can swag it out when she sings, she can dance like there's no tomorrow -- which she demonstrated on "Dancing With The Stars" -- and she can swing the heck out of a tennis racket ... or at least she made viewers believe so in the movie "Challengers".

The radio dispatch from the Artem Chigvintsev domestic violence case reveals ... he did indeed call 911 to request medical assistance, but then added his wife, Nikki Bella, had thrown shoes at him.

TMZ has obtained the dispatch call, in which the dispatcher says, "Initially came in as requesting medical, but now he is stating he got into an argument with his wife and his wife threw shoes at rp [reporting party]."

The dispatcher notes, "There is a child on scene. Medical en route," adding, "There's an active 415 [disturbing the peace] in the background responsible."

Nikki Bella admitted she and Artem Chigvintsev struggled with communicating ... saying back in 2021 she and her husband went to couples therapy because of how he spoke to her.

The former WWE star opened up about jumping on the therapist's couch with the pro dancer during an episode of Kaitlyn Bristowe's podcast "Off the Vine" back in 2021 ... after Bristowe revealed she didn't know if Artem liked her on "Dancing with the Stars."

Kaitlyn won 'DWTS' alongside Artem in 2020 -- but she says she didn't know how Artem felt about her because of the way he spoke to her ... and Nikki details a similar experience, saying she nearly quit because of his demeanor.