Over the summer, rumors that Sports Illustrated cover model Kate Upton and Dancing with the Stars dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy surfaced. While there have been reports that they are “just friends,” another report today claims that the two are dating.
E! News has just confirmed that the two are a couple. Earlier today, Popsugar had published photos of the two holding hands in New York City, which also seemed to confirm that they are dating.
Back in June, it was reported that they were dating, but another source claimed that they were only friends. Then in July, they were spotted holding hands at New York hotspot Catch.
Earlier this month, Upton, 21, was asked about Chmerkovskiy at the 10th Annual Style Awards, where she was being presented the Model of the Year Award. “We’re just friends,” she told Extra at the time.
Chmerkovskiy has previously been linked to DWTS co-stars Peta Murgatroyd and Karina Smirnoff. Upton, who has appeared on two straight Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue covers, has been linked to Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander, New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin.
image: Sports Illustrated cover