Peta Murgatroyd isn't just another pro on the ballroom floor. For over a decade, she’s been the backbone of some of the most emotional, high-stakes moments on Dancing with the Stars. You’ve seen the glitter and the perfect 10s, but the real story of Peta Murgatroyd on Dancing with the Stars is a lot more chaotic and impressive than the highlight reels suggest. It's a story of literal broken bones, a rocky romance with the show’s resident "bad boy," and a resilience that most people would find exhausting.
She didn't just walk onto the set and start winning. It started back in 2011. Peta joined the troupe in Season 12, basically the "backup" squad. She worked her way up fast. By Season 13, she was a pro partner, though her debut with Metta World Peace was—honestly—a bit of a disaster. They were the first ones kicked off. Talk about a rough start.
But then Season 14 happened.
The Turning Point for Peta Murgatroyd on Dancing with the Stars
Most fans point to her partnership with NFL legend Donald Driver as the moment she truly "arrived." They were electric. That freestyle dance to "I Play Chicken with the Train"? It’s still one of the most talked-about finales in the show's history. They took home the Mirrorball Trophy, making Peta the second pro ever to go from "last place" one season to "first place" the next.
It wasn't a fluke. She proved it again in Season 22 with Nyle DiMarco.
Working with Nyle was different. He’s deaf, so they couldn't rely on the music in the same way. Peta had to reinvent how she taught. She used physical cues, vibrations, and a level of trust that most dancers never have to develop. When they won, it felt like more than just a dance competition victory; it was a masterclass in adaptation.
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The Realities of the Ballroom: Injuries and Setbacks
People forget that these dancers are high-level athletes. Peta has been through the wringer physically. In Season 21, she was supposed to dance with Andy Grammer. She had to pull out just days before the premiere.
Why? An orthopedic surgeon found four torn ligaments and a floating piece of bone in her ankle.
That’s the kind of injury that ends careers. Most people would have called it quits. Peta had the surgery, went through the brutal rehab, and came back for the very next season to win the whole thing with Nyle. She also pushed through a scary neck injury in Season 29 while dancing with Vernon Davis. She literally had to leave the set early to get emergency physical therapy because she couldn't move.
Then there was that terrifying moment on tour in 2018. She woke up feeling sick, tried to push through the show in Texas, and eventually realized she couldn't feel her arms or legs. It turned out to be a severe case of food poisoning mixed with exhaustion, but it showed just how far she’s willing to push her body for the craft.
The Chmerkovskiy Connection: Behind the Scenes
You can't talk about Peta Murgatroyd Dancing with the Stars history without mentioning Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Their relationship is basically a soap opera that happened to take place in a dance studio. They started dating around 2012, but it wasn't exactly a smooth ride.
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Maks actually dumped her.
In several interviews, including a recent appearance on the "Amy and T.J." podcast, Peta admitted that Maks broke up with her early on. He’d told her he wanted to marry her, then got cold feet and ended things five months later. She was devastated. She even described it as one of the darkest times of her life.
Eventually, he realized he'd made a massive mistake. They got back together, got married in 2017, and now they have three sons: Shai, Rio, and Milan.
Why She Was Missing from Season 33
If you were looking for Peta in the 2024-2025 season (Season 33), you probably noticed a big gap in the lineup. She chose to sit this one out. It wasn't about drama or being fired.
It was about Milan.
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Peta gave birth to her third son, Milan Maksim, in July 2024. Just a month later, she told fans on Instagram Live that it was "just too soon" to return. Her body needed time to heal. Remember, when she did Season 32 with Barry Williams, she was only 10 weeks postpartum with her second son, Rio. That is an insane physical feat, and this time around, she decided to prioritize the "nursery over the ballroom."
Actionable Insights for DWTS Fans
If you want to truly appreciate the technical side of what Peta brings to the show, there are a few things to look for in her past performances:
- Check the transitions: In her Season 18 Contemporary routine with James Maslow (the "Frozen" dance), look at the fluidity of the lifts. She chereographs "through" the music, not just "to" it.
- Watch the frame: Peta is a former ballerina. Even when she’s doing a gritty Paso Doble, her posture and "lines" are usually more precise than many of the other Latin-specialist pros.
- The "Power" factor: Notice how she handles larger athletes like Donald Driver or Vernon Davis. She uses their strength to create momentum rather than just letting them "lead" her around.
To stay updated on her potential return for Season 34 or beyond, follow her social media directly rather than relying on tabloid rumors. She tends to be very transparent with her "fam" about her fitness journey and whether she feels physically ready to take on the 100-hour work weeks that the show demands.
The ballroom is always changing, but Peta Murgatroyd's influence on the show’s standard of excellence is pretty much permanent at this point. Whether she's on the floor or cheering from the sidelines with her three boys, she remains one of the most consequential figures in the show's history.