Maksim Chmerkovskiy Confirmed He Dated One Of His Celebrity Partners

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, a seasoned pro from Dancing With the Stars, has always been a standout on the ballroom floor. But behind the scenes, did any of that on-screen chemistry ever turn into something more?

During his 17 seasons on the show, Chmerkovskiy admits he only had one romantic relationship with a partner—though he describes it as a short-lived mistake.

Reflecting on His Time on DWTS

Speaking on the Sibling Revelry podcast on February 24, Chmerkovskiy reflected on his time on DWTS, sharing that while many enter the competition single, he rarely let emotions interfere with the job. “I personally had one relationship out of 17 seasons that I did,” he revealed. “It was very short-lived, and it was a mistake all the way in the beginning.”

Though he remained tight-lipped about the partner in question, fans, and internet sleuths quickly began speculating about who it might have been.

Who Was Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s Mystery Romance?

The ballroom dancer’s romantic history has long intrigued fans, and some believe his secret DWTS relationship was with Willa Ford, his Season 3 partner.

On a Reddit thread discussing his comments, one user noted, “The only partner on the show he ever confirmed dating in the past is Willa Ford during Season 3, so that’s who he is likely talking about here.” Others chimed in with similar thoughts, with one adding, “I think Cheryl confirmed it was Willa Ford?”

Chmerkovskiy has never officially named Ford—or anyone else—as the mystery woman, leaving room for more speculation.

The Showmance That Had Everyone Talking

Of course, one of Chmerkovskiy’s most famous DWTS partnerships was with Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis in Season 18.

Their undeniable chemistry sparked rumors that they were more than just dance partners, but Davis shut down those claims in a 2014 interview with Glamour.

“We’re not dating,” Davis stated. “We have an amazing relationship, an amazing friendship. But beyond that, your personal life is your personal life.”

Despite the romance rumors, their connection on the dance floor won them the coveted Mirrorball Trophy—Chmerkovskiy’s only win in his DWTS career.

A Look Back at Maks’ Dating Timeline

While Chmerkovskiy remained professional throughout most of his DWTS run, a closer look at his partnerships provides some clues.

From Seasons 2 to 5, his celebrity partners—Tia Carrere, Willa Ford, Laila Ali, and Mel B—were all in relationships. By the time he returned for Season 7, his partner, Misty May-Treanor, was married.

During Seasons 8 and 9 in 2009, Chmerkovskiy was dating fellow DWTS pro-Karina Smirnoff, eliminating his partners from that time—Denise Richards and Debi Mazar—from the mystery.

Then came Season 10, where he danced with Erin Andrews, who was single at the time. Season 11 paired him with Brandy Norwood, who once spoke about a special moment they shared.

In an interview with Essence, Norwood recalled, “It’s seeing Maksim in a different light, he’s my buddy, my teacher, so it was hard to separate the three. I dressed up and really treated it like it was a date. It still brought a different side to both of us. He got to see me all blushy, and I got to see him a little more vulnerable. It was really sweet, the flowers and the candy.”

Was Norwood the mystery woman? Her comments certainly suggest there was at least a close connection. However, Chmerkovskiy’s rep has never confirmed her as the partner he briefly dated.

Life After DWTS

Chmerkovskiy has since moved on from his DWTS days—both personally and professionally. In 2017, he married fellow pro Peta Murgatroyd, and the two have built a life together outside of the show.

While fans may never get a definitive answer about his past romance, it’s clear that his heart now belongs to Murgatroyd.

As for DWTS, the show has always been filled with partnerships that walk the fine line between showmanship and real romance. But for Chmerkovskiy, his journey was more about the competition than the love connections.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Maksim Chmerkovskiy right now. Come back here often for all Maksim Chmerkovskiy’s spoilers, news, and updates.

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