Maksim Chmerkovskiy: I'm Not Leaving DWTS Anytime Soon

Maksim Chmerkovskiy isn't leaving Dancing With the Stars anytime soon.

"We are under contract, but honestly, why not?" pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy told Usmagazine.com at the A/X Watches party at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills Wednesday.

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"In this economy, to have a job like this?" continued Chmerkovskiy -- who was voted off with Denise Richards a few weeks ago. "Believe me, It's not a bad job!"

There are downsides to dancing live each week, though.

"It's nerve wracking and it's very tough because we are competitors," he went on. "It takes a long phone call back home. Mom and dad get on the phone and are like, 'It's OK. It's just a show.'"

See photos of stars dancing.

So who does he think will win this season?

"It's between Melissa [Rycroft], Gilles [Marini] and Lil Kim. I would be happy to see any one of them win," Chmerkovskiy said.

"I have to admit I would be happier to see a woman win because it proves me wrong," he went on. "A couple of seasons ago, I said a woman will not win because the majority of our fan base are women.

(The controversial dancer also proclaimed a few of the show's females were too fat last season.)

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"I'm a big fan of Lil' Kim . I think she's doing amazing," added Chmerkovskiy, who is engaged to fellow competitor Karina Smirnoff (who was voted off with Steve Wozniak).

"I'm also a big fan of Tony [Dovolani, Rycroft's partner]. We stand by each other every time," he said. "Between Melissa and Kim, that's what I want. Gilles, I'm sorry, I love you and you are doing the Maks thing."

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Chmerkovskiy is already looking ahead to next season. His ideal partner?

"Some athlete that has nerves of steel and flexibility of a gymnast and determination -- and obviously people like that don't exist," he said.

What about Shawn Johnson ?

The Olympian "goes about to my hip in heels!" he says.

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