Dancing With the Stars has spawned many romances. Dance pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd were dating but called it quits in 2013. But the DWTS couple reignited their spark, and in December of 2015, Maks popped the question.
In May of 2016, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child. They had a lavish baby shower in December of 2016.
US Weekly reported that the couple welcomed their son on January 4, 2017. They named him Shai Aleksander Chmerkovskiy. And on July 8, 2017, Peta and Maks waltzed down the aisle at Oheka Castle in Long Island, New York, according to People.
Unfortunately, Maks was in his native Ukraine when Russia invaded the country. After a harrowing journey, Page Six reported that Maks arrived back in the US. He reunited with Peta on March 2, 2022 at the Los Angeles International Airport. Paparazzi snapped photos of the couple as they hugged in the airport terminal.
Maks was set to be part of the judging panel on the Ukrainian edition of World of Dance. Peta stayed in Los Angeles with their five-year-old son.
According to Page Six, Maks shared videos showing what was happening in Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion. He shared a video on Instagram with the caption, “There’s ALWAYS another way! WAR is NEVER an answer.” Maks was on a balcony in Kyiv, with the sound of sirens wailing in the background. This experience must have been absolutely terrifying.
Page Six reported that Maks told his followers, via his Instagram Story on February 28, 2022, that he he “made it on the train” out of Ukraine and reached Poland. “We’re heading to Warsaw (hopefully). Train to Lviv was not an option,” Maks wrote. “The situation at the train station is insane. At first it feels manageable, but it gets A LOT worse when it comes time to actually board the train,” he added.
Last week, a frightened Peta asked followers to pray for her husband, per Page Six. “I don’t usually ask these things from my social media network, however, today is extremely hard and the next few will be even harder,” the dance pro posted on Instagram.
“My pain is overwhelming and I’m struggling, but you sending your positive light and love to him would mean the world to me. Truly, I wish for nothing more,” Peta wrote.
“Please pray that has has a swift, safe exit. I have FAITH,” Peta said. “I have HOPE and I have PRAYED so hard. Please pray for Ukraine and the innocent civilians whose lives are being greatly uprooted,” she added. “I grew to love this country the couple of times I visited and they’re in an unfathomable situation.”
Thankfully Maksim is home and safe and reunited with his family.
TELL US- DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPPORTIVE WORDS TO SHARE WITH MAKS AND PETA?
[Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage]
