Maksim Chmerkovskiy Says Relationship With Kate Upton Took Him By Surprise

Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kate Upton would seem like a natural pairing.

He is the hunky professional dancer from Dancing With the Stars, she is the hottest swimsuit model in the world.

But to hear Maksim tell it, the relationship that’s budding between the stars came as a big surprise to both of them.

“She’s an amazing person,” Maksim 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.”

The two have been linked for months and seen on romantic dates in New York City, including a walk together in the West Village. They were also spotted hanging out together in the Hamptons, where Kate was filming the movie The Other Woman.

But as they grew closer and closer, the two still denied that they were a couple.

“The two did not want to be photographed together and did the best they could to avoid the cameras,” a source said after they were spotted together in July. “They left the event around midnight and went to Catch sushi bar, that turns into a club. The two partied until the early hours.”

Even as recently as July, Kate insisted that she was single.

“I’m just having fun,” she told ELLE magazine. “Obviously, I have a very busy schedule at this time in my life and I don’t put relationships as a priority.”

But in late September the pair finally confirmed that they are indeed dating.

The relationship between Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Kate Upton may still be relatively new, but it’s starting to get serious. The two have already introduced each other to their families, and Maksim’s brother Val has taken a liking to the swimsuit model.

“I think she’s awesome,” Val says. “She’s a great girl, and we’re great friends. She’s an incredible chick and we have a great time.”

Neither of the two are strangers to high-profile relationships. Maksim Chmerkovskiy has previously dated Karina Smirnoff and Peta Murgatroyd, while Kate Upton has been linked to Justin Verlander and Mark Sanchez.