Kate Upton and Maksim Chmerkovskiy Dating, 'Dancing With the Stars' Pro Says He's 'Lucky Guy'
ABC's Dancing with The Stars pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy has confirmed rumors that he is dating supermodel Kate Upton.
The dance pro gushed about the top model and also admitted that their budding friendship took him by surprise.
"She's an amazing person," the 33-year-old dancer told Us Weekly. "We have an incredible time together, and, you know, I definitely didn't see that coming and I think neither did she. We enjoy each other's company very much and like I said, she's a great girl that I never thought anything romantic like this could have happened."
He isn't the only Chmerkovskiy that approves of the Florida-raised pin-up queen, who has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for the last two consecutive years. His brother, Val Chmerkovskiy, also said he thinks Upton is "awesome."
"She's a great girl, and we're great friends," he told the magazine. "She's an incredible chick and we have a great time."
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The new couple was first spotted together on a date in June. When the dance pro was questioned about holding hands with her in public, his rep told Life & Style Weekly that their relationship was platonic.
"He's focused on acting and has tunnel vision with his career right now," his rep said in June.
They were spotted together again on a shopping trip at the Gucci boutique on Fifth Avenue in New York City on Sept. 18. Chmerkovskiy was reportedly affectionate with the magazine cover girl.
"While they shopped, Maksim lovingly had his hand on Kate's back and suggested a few items he thought she may like," an onlooker told Life & Style. "Although he picked out some nice things, the couple left empty-handed, but happily with each other!"
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Upton has previously been romantically linked to NFL player Mark Sanchez, Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander and music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.