DWTS - Former Contestants - Updated News - Discussion - *Sleuthing Spoilers*

That's too bad. That's strange how a couple can know each other for years, get married, and split after a short time. I wish them well.

https://www.tmz.com/2022/02/23/cheryl-burke-files-divorce-from-matthew-lawrence-dwts/

This is about Maksim -- he is actually in the Ukraine right now and hoping to leave and come back to the US. Enews has an article about it.

This is heartbreaking. Trigger warning This is scary and so very sad.

https://ew.com/celebrity/dancing-with-the-stars-maksim-chmerkovskiy-ukraine-invasion/

@GuardianAngel Ukraine has been on my mind since last night. We were watching Jeparody and the program was interrupted. We stayed up past midnight watching the news. The past 70 years have been the longest period without armed conflict in Europe in 1000 years! That is astounding. We all hoped WW2 would put an end to the hatred, conflicts and devastation. This is just a power grab by a despot.

Norcalgal wrote:@GuardianAngel Ukraine has been on my mind since last night. We were watching Jeparody and the program was interrupted. We stayed up past midnight watching the news. The past 70 years have been the longest period without armed conflict in Europe in 1000 years! That is astounding. We all hoped WW2 would put an end to the hatred, conflicts and devastation. This is just a power grab by a despot.

I have to correct you there @Norcalgal. There was a war in the former Yugoslavia in the 1990's. The country split into Serbia, Croatia, Slavonia, Bosnia & Hercegovina. It only stopped because Clinton finally bombed Belgrade in Serbia because the Serbs bombed the world heritage site of Dubrovnik. (Think Game of Thrones.) There were a whole bunch of trials held in the Hague, Netherlands because of all the horrible war crimes.

@Norcalgal I went to bed early because of my back problems and turned on the radio. I was still awake at 3am listening to news and commentators. Truly heartbreaking. I think of my mom's war stories when she was 11-12 yrs old. She is terrified right now and I can understand Max's PTSD returning I sort of see it with her.

@Sprite Thanks for correcting me! I should have thought of the turmoil in Yugoslavia as my husband is of Croatian descent. And I do want to visit Croatia so badly!

Feel sad for Cheryl, she and Matt knew each other for years thought they would make it. Oh well.

I've been thinking and praying for Maks since I heard the news. So tough to watch all of his Instagrams.

@Norcalgal Well I am from Split so I am pretty familiar with Croatia. We were there for a month just before Covid. If you ever get a chance to go I can give you some suggestions.

I watched Maks and it is frightening. I remembered talking to our family members in Croatia when the war there was going on and how horrible and frustrating it was because there was nothing you could do. Peta must be beside herself. I hope he comes back safe and this doesn't last long.

Here's another update from Max. I don't know how he could leave because I understand the airports are shut down. I did read some people walked 70kms to Poland. The number is now over 100,000.

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/02/dancing-with-the-stars-maksim-chmerkovskiy-video-updates-from-kyiv-ukraine

I wonder if Maks has both American and Ukranian passports? If so, he might be in the group of 18-60 year old men who can't legally leave the country. Makes it more difficult.

@Norcalgal That's a good point. He does say in his IG upthread, he has a passport and a way out, but doesn't mention if he's dual.