It looks like the Chmerkovskiy-Murgatroyd kids may already be following in their parents’ footsteps — literally.
Former “Dancing With the Stars” pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd are seeing their love of dance naturally pass down to their children, especially their eldest son, Shai.
In an exclusive joint interview with E! News, the longtime DWTS standouts opened up about whether their kids could one day pursue dance more seriously and how they are navigating that possibility as parents. According to the couple, the answer is less about pressure and more about letting curiosity lead the way.
Shai Is Already Finding His Rhythm
Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd revealed that their 8-year-old son, Shai, has developed a genuine interest in dance and is currently taking structured lessons. Murgatroyd explained that Shai was first introduced to dance around age 3, when classes focused more on movement and play rather than technique.
As he’s grown older, that casual exposure has evolved into a more consistent routine. Shai now attends dance classes three days a week and is learning ballroom styles including paso doble, samba, jive and cha-cha. While his progress has been exciting to watch, both parents stressed that they are intentionally not pushing him toward any specific path.
Chmerkovskiy, who exited “Dancing With the Stars” after season 25, shared that he and Murgatroyd have created a system to give all their children structure across extracurricular activities. Shai participates in several interests beyond dance, and the plan is to reassess his focus when he turns 10. At that point, they will allow him to choose which activities he wants to pursue more seriously.
For Murgatroyd, that age holds personal significance. She reflected on her own childhood and explained that she made major decisions about her ballet training around that time, committing to a specific school and long-term path. While she does not expect Shai to have his future fully figured out, she believes it’s a natural moment to narrow interests and ease the pressure of juggling too many commitments.
Dance at Home, Without the Pressure
Earlier this year, the couple gave fans a glimpse of that philosophy in action when Murgatroyd shared a family dance video featuring herself, Chmerkovskiy and Shai. In the clip, Shai confidently joined his parents in a short routine, showing noticeable improvement in coordination, timing and musicality.
The video quickly sparked positive reactions from fans, many of whom praised Shai’s growing skills and how comfortable he looked dancing alongside two professionals. Several commenters pointed out how easily he found the rhythm even before the routine officially began.
According to earlier reports, the couple has been clear that moments like that are meant to stay fun and organic. While dance is undeniably part of their family identity, Chmerkovskiy and Murgatroyd continue to emphasize balance over expectations.
As Chmerkovskiy put it, “Let’s see what happens at 10. Then it’ll be like, ‘Which one do you want to do?’”
