Maks Chmerkovskiy, Peta Murgatroyd Share If Their Kids Will Be Dancers

by

Maks Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd‘s son is already following in their rhythmic footsteps.

It turns out the couple, known from Dancing With the Stars, shared that their 8-year-old son, Shai, is really enjoying dance.

Peta shared with Erin Lim Rhodes of TopMob News that her partner is taking dance lessons. She described it as ‘really cute,’ explaining that he did take dance at age three, but it was very basic – just simple movement and a fun weekly activity.

Now that Shai is growing and developing, Peta and Maks—who are also parents to Rio, age 2, and Milan, 16 months—are letting their son guide how they approach things.

She said he’s now dancing three days a week, practicing the pasodoble, samba, jive, and cha-cha. They’re taking things as they come and aren’t putting any pressure on him.

Maks, who left Dancing with the Stars after season 25, explained that he and Peta have a plan to manage all of Shai’s activities.

I’m just ensuring everything stays consistent,” the 45-year-old explained to Erin. “He performs nine other tasks using the same method. We set up this system to observe the outcome, and he’s starting to understand it.”

He explained that this had always been their intention. They would wait and see what happened at 10 o’clock, and then decide which option they preferred.

Peta chose age 10 as a time to revisit Shai’s interests because it was a significant developmental stage for her own children, especially as she last competed on the dance show in season 32.

Looking back, I made big decisions about my interests and future career while I was in ballet school, and that required a lot of dedication. So, I think around age 10, it’s okay if a child doesn’t know exactly what they want to do forever. We can ease up on some activities and let them focus on what they really enjoy.

As someone who follows the entertainment world and lifestyle choices of stars, it’s fascinating to see how people evolve after a big hit! While dancing is absolutely in Maks and Peta’s DNA, they’ve both brilliantly expanded their horizons since their time on Dancing with the Stars, diving into all sorts of exciting new business projects.

Maks turned his love of alcohol into a business by creating his own vodka brand, Tetya Kapa. At the same time, Peta has been successful with her podcast, Penthouse With Peta, and her beauty line, Peta Jane Beauty.

This new job has been a really enjoyable and unique change of pace for me,” she explained. “I’m new to hosting and interviewing, so I’ve been learning everything on the job, and it’s been a great experience.

And Maks is definitely his biggest fan. As he noted, “I love watching her be in that mode.”

For a closer look at more pros who left the DWTS ballroom, keep reading.

Karina was a professional dancer on the show for seasons 3 through 9, and took a short break during season 10. She then danced for nine seasons straight before taking another brief time off in season 20. She explained at the time that she wanted to focus on other projects, including writing a book.

She ended up returning for two more outings, but Karina officially left DWTS after season 22.

After retiring from dancing, Smirnoff appeared on the reality show Famously Single and eventually returned to professional dancing. In 2017, she shared that she still enjoyed her time on the ABC series and was open to the possibility of joining it again.

Dancing with celebrities on the show is fun, but it’s a unique dynamic. You end up being more than just a dance partner – you’re also their coach, confidant, and biggest supporter, I told Fox News. However, performing with a professional partner is different because you’re equals, and the performance feels different. I really missed that equal partnership when I was dancing with celebrities.

Artem was surprised and upset when he learned he wouldn’t be competing professionally in season 28 of 2019. He described the conversations about his departure as difficult, sharing his feelings on The Bellas Podcast with his partner at the time, Nikki Garcia (formerly Nikki Bella).

The dancer, a popular figure on the show who joined as a professional in 2014, described finding out he was let go – just days before the cast was officially announced – as feeling like a breakup. “I gave 10 years of my life to that company,” he explained, “and to be let go three days before the announcement felt like a real gut punch.”

He then came back for seasons 29-32, even winning one with Kaitlyn Bristowe.

Derek is one of the most beloved professional dancers in the show’s history, and he’s won more mirrorball trophies than anyone else – a total of six. He’s also a highly acclaimed choreographer, having earned four Emmy Awards for his work.

He competed on the show for seasons 5 through 11, took a break in season 12 to film a movie, and then returned for seasons 13 through 21. He wasn’t originally planned for season 20, but unexpectedly joined, balancing the show with a Broadway performance. Season 23 was his last as a professional dancer.

Before joining Dancing with the Stars in 2020, he was a judge on Jennifer Lopez’s dance competition show, World of Dance, which aired on NBC.

After three seasons and two wins, Julianne announced she was leaving the ABC reality hit in 2008.

She told Ryan Seacrest that she wanted to concentrate on her music and be seen as a serious artist.

Despite initially leaving, she returned for season eight in 2009 because her boyfriend at the time, country singer Chuck Wicks, was competing. They were partnered together and finished in sixth place. This season marked the last time the Footloose actress performed as a professional dancer on the show.

Julianne returned to judge seasons 19 through 21 and seasons 23 and 24. Before becoming a co-host on Dancing with the Stars in 2023, she was also a judge on America’s Got Talent.

Mark joined the show in its fifth season and danced professionally for an incredible 18 seasons, winning two championships. He took a break for seasons 23 and 24 to perform as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway, but returned to compete in season 25, finishing as the runner-up with Lindsey Stirling.

Mark then turned his attention to music, collaborating with his wife, BC Jean. Together, they formed the duo Alexander Jean and signed a record deal.

He returned for season 31 with Charli D’Amelio and season 34 with Whitney Leavitt.

Oh, Maks.

This dancer, a fan favorite on the show, has often disagreed with the judges and occasionally had difficulties with his celebrity partners. He’s experienced a turbulent journey on the program, leaving and then returning multiple times, starting in 2012 when he initially announced his departure to focus on acting.

After 15 seasons, I’ve done pretty much everything there is to do on the show,” he explained to the New York Post. “It’s understandable that both the audience and the producers wouldn’t expect me to want to continue.

I’ve been a fan for years, and it was amazing to see him back for season 18! He finally won the mirrorball trophy with Meryl Davis, but sadly, he left the show right after. Then, to my surprise, he came back for seasons 23 through 25. It was a bit shocking, though, when he missed a performance with Vanessa Lachey during that time.

Maks is now married to professional dancer Peta Murgatroyd, and when he wasn’t competing, he sometimes appeared as a guest judge.

This popular contestant first appeared in the second season and participated in every season until she won in season nine. She took a break for season ten, then competed in six seasons straight before taking another three seasons off.

Luckily, she came back for season 20 and was partnered with Robert Herjavec from Shark Tank. They fell in love and eventually got married. Kym then took a few seasons off before dancing one last time as a professional on season 24.

Kym announced she was expecting twins in January 2018 and shared that she was retiring from professional dancing. While she said she wouldn’t dance competitively again, she left the door open to potentially returning to Dancing with the Stars in a different role.

She expressed interest in returning to the show in some capacity, perhaps as a judge or in another role, and she later appeared as a guest judge on season 34.

I was absolutely devastated when Lindsay announced she was leaving the show in 2022! It felt like a piece of my world was ending. She said she wanted to focus on her kids, and honestly, while I’m sad she’s gone, I totally get it. Family comes first, and after over a decade of giving us amazing performances, she deserved to prioritize that. It still doesn’t make it any easier, though!

She shared on TikTok that this stage of her life is incredibly special and fleeting, and she’s determined to savor every moment, not wanting to miss anything at all.

The dancer also mentioned the difficulty of constantly traveling between her home in Utah and Hollywood. She explained she’s prioritizing her family and doesn’t want to disrupt her children’s lives with frequent separations.

 

Sharna, a professional dancer who previously won season 27 with Bobby Bones and had been on the show for 12 seasons (reaching second place with three other celebrity partners), shared her thoughts on Instagram after not being chosen to return for season 28.

She shared that her time on the show felt like a significant part of her life, and expressed how much she’ll miss it. She’s sad to say goodbye to creating, telling stories, and performing, as well as the joy of teaching dance and the daily inspiration she found from her ‘Dancing with the Stars’ family and their talent.

Sharna has been announced as the newest judge on the Australian version of the popular reality dancing competition, and she’s hinted at some exciting things to come on the show.

She returned for seasons 29 and 30, and was partnered with Brian Austin Green, whom she started dating during that time.

Cheryl quickly became a standout performer, debuting in season two and making history as the first woman and first competitor to win two seasons in a row. After an impressive 18 seasons, she announced her departure from DTWS before season 20. Although rumors suggested she was considering a new variety show at NBC that never materialized, she returned for season 23, took a season off, and then couldn’t resist coming back for a special season that marked a milestone for both her and the show.

She excitedly announced her return for season 25, saying, “I’m back again!” She reminisced about dancing with Ryan Lochte last season, adding that she’s really glad to be part of the show again. This is her 20th season, and it’s also a special anniversary season—season 25—for Dancing With the Stars and for her personally.

Cheryl married Matthew Lawrence in May 2019 and returned for season 28, but she left the show again in 2022. She made one final appearance as a guest judge on season 34.

Peta first appeared on the show in season 13 and quickly became a popular contestant. She competed in every season through season 20, even winning once! Unfortunately, a bad ankle injury kept her from competing in season 21.

She made a successful comeback in season 22, winning the competition with her partner, Nyle DiMarco. Then, just six months after having her first child, she competed in season 25 with Nick Lachey before taking another break from Dancing with the Stars.

After taking three seasons off to be with her son, Shai, and former Dancing with the Stars partner Maks Chmerkovskiy, Peta returned to the show.

She told US Weekly she was thrilled to be returning, explaining she’d been hoping and working towards it for months. She felt the timing was right for her family, as Maks had other commitments and their daughter, Shai, was in good hands. It just felt like everything fell into place.

Her most recent run was on season 32.

Tony Dovolani started competing on Dancing with the Stars in season two and participated for 20 seasons straight, winning once. His last partner on the show was Marla Maples, during season 22.

Tony shared on Instagram that he’s leaving the show to concentrate on expanding his Dance With Me USA studios and continuing to teach. He also plans to travel and perform across the country, making appearances at various events. He expressed that he’ll miss the show and connecting with its viewers, both those watching at home and those in the audience.

The dancer, who first gained recognition on So You Think You Can Dance, became a professional competitor in season 19 and continued for two more seasons. She took a break during season 22 after announcing her second pregnancy live on Dancing with the Stars with her husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss, who is also a SYTYCD alum.

Six months after having her baby, Allison came back for her 23rd season, which turned out to be the last of her professional career.

She announced on Instagram that she won’t be competing on Dancing with the Stars this season, wanting to let her family, friends, and fans know first. She expressed her love for the show and its people, and shared her excitement for the new contestants.

Lacey became a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars after finishing fourth on season three of So You Think You Can Dance. She appeared on DWTS for seven seasons (7 through 13), with a brief stint as a troupe member in season 10.

Following season thirteen, Lacey shared that she was departing from Dancing with the Stars to pursue other projects, such as recording an album and launching a clothing line.

I need to take a break and prioritize what’s important right now,” she told SheKnows. “I’m working on better managing my time.

Read More

2025-12-12 17:19