Peta Murgatroyd: Maksim doesn’t use soap or deodorant but he never smells bad

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Peta Murgatroyd and Maksim Chmerkovskiy of DWTS got married last summer and have son named Shai, who is 19 months. I’m honestly surprised that they’ve lasted as long as they have, but it’s possible I have the wrong impression of them. Peta has a tanning product line she’s promoting and thus has an interview with Health Magazine. Her head looks unnaturally large on the cover. She talks candidly about her relationship with Maksim, how he’s loud and they have a different communication style, and she also said he doesn’t use deodorant and doesn’t smell. This is bizarre to me and I wanted to discuss it.

What’s your secret to keeping your relationship hot—especially with a toddler running around?
With a toddler, you have to carve out time for your husband. I will say that has been something that I’ve needed to work on, because he has told me at times, “I don’t feel like you’re giving me all of you right now.” It is such a touchy subject, and I know many couples go through this. When I wake up, my mind is immediately on Shai when it used to be immediately on him. So I definitely had to put myself in his position. Any alone time means the world to us, where we can grab lunch and then maybe see a movie.

With you and Maks being opposites, what’s the biggest issue you butt heads over?
The way he speaks. I come from a very nurturing family where we don’t raise our voices unless we’re in an argument. In his family, they raise their voice even when they’re talking lovingly to each other. I’m like, “You want to go to the movies?” [Maks:] “No.” And I’m like, “Are you OK? Did I do something wrong?” So it was definitely that culture shock for me. He’s like, “It’s black-and-white. I’m saying it how it is, and I don’t sugarcoat anything.” He’s just so, so honest. Some days I can take it. Some days I don’t want to take it. [Laughs] But if that’s the biggest problem that we have, we’re fine!

What’s the strangest thing you find sexy about him?
The man never uses soap, but he does not smell. Even after training he doesn’t have BO! I’ve smelt his armpits. It is the weirdest thing. Like, I have to wear deodorant; he wears a lemon spray under his arms. I’m like, “You’re a big dude, sweating at the gym.” He’s like, “I don’t know. I’ve just never used soap on my body.” It’s strange, but I find it super sexy.

[From Health via US Magazine]

I’ve heard that deodorant, mouthwash and even shampoo were invented to sell the idea that we’re unclean and that we need more products to smell better. I’ve also heard that you can train your hair not to need shampoo and that it can be healthier without it. There are all kinds of natural deodorants that people use instead of perfumes and aluminum-based products. I use Toms of Maine and it works. I’ve never heard of someone not using soap though! Is it the same situation as shampoo, like you just stop smelling bad if you never use it? I can’t imagine a big dude who exercises as much as Maks not using soap or deodorant but it sounds like it works for him. I’m also baffled at how Maks and Peta’s relationship works when she feels like he’ll yelling at her, but maybe she’s making it sound worse than it is.

@HealthMagazine 🦋

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photos credit: Health Magazine, Peta Murgatroyd via Twitter/Instagram

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80 Responses to “Peta Murgatroyd: Maksim doesn’t use soap or deodorant but he never smells bad”

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  1. OriginalLala says:

    I use “no-poo” from Devacurl and seriously, you have curls or waves, make the switch! my hair is so soft and healthy nowadays. I also use Tom’s for deodorant (stopped using antipersperant years ago) and I’m happy with it. I have tried a deodorant spray that was like tea tree oil and witch hazel and I smelled like a compost heap in the summer!

    • HelloSunshine says:

      Oh man, I’ve been thinking about switching back to DevaCurl. Question: do you know how well it works with dyed hair? My hair is always some shade of purple and I’ve been using Pureology products because it’s so gentle on my color.

      • OriginalLala says:

        I have dyed hair – its’ been both bleached blonde and dark brown and I havent had any issues with Deva products. I use their melt into moisture as a mask after i get my hair dyed for extra moisture

    • Erinn says:

      I have to alternate with deva curl but I like it. I find I can barely use it in the summer. My waves are just so fine that it weighs it down too much. My hair is also quite oily, but I’ve managed to wash it way less since I went with a blue ombre on the bottom 2/3. If I wash it Monday, I wont wash it again until Thursday now. Which is a HUGE deal for me. I’ve been using Verb ghost shampoo and conditioner – and overtone on the blue portion. For anyone with funky colored hair – get overtone. Seriously. My hair is still vibrant blue and I had it done June 23. It really deposits pigment amazingly and keeps my hair from feeling fried. My ride or die dry shampoo is Klorane with the nettle and green top. That’s the only one that makes my hair feel really fresh and that the smell is pleasant and doesn’t give me a migraine.

      I have been blow drying a lot more though because of the blue – don’t want to stain things. But I used to get some pretty great waves with deva curl conditioner on the bottom portion and air drying. My hair just gets oily faster when I air dry because the cuticle is so smooth that the oil spreads easier.

      I can’t use Toms. I’ve tried. I like the smell, but it’s overpowering for me. Migraines are really finicky. But I also just sweat like crazy and find that by mid-day it just isn’t helping anymore. And I’m sitting in an air conditioned office.

      • OriginalLala says:

        I just got one of their new products, it’s like a micellar water (cant remember the name) for when you get some product buildup and/or your hair is getting weighed down. I have fine curls and it’s really good, I use it about once a month.
        The conditioner is amazing isn’t it? my hair drinks it up

    • Hotsauceinmybag says:

      Originallala I have hidradenitis suppurativa so after a really bad flare up in my armpit I switched from antiperspirant to a tea tree oil/witch hazel spray and my family was just like… NO NO NO YOU SMELL BAD and got me a natural deodorant hahah

    • KM says:

      True story: I tried natural deodorant and hated it and hated regular deodorant because all I could smell was the sickly sweet stench of deodorant (which I think is worse than B.O.?) so out of frustration just went without anything for a week. Shocker- not only was I less sweaty, but I didn’t smell either. I should note, I shower every day. Also, if it’s insanely hot out in the summer and I’m going to be outside, I’ll wear deodorant, but 95% of the time? Nothing. And I sweat less, do not smell anything ( no B.O. and no deodorant perfumes) and do not have to worry about staining my white shirts.

  2. Naomi11 says:

    That goes along the lines of TMI for me!

    • Nancy says:

      I was thinking the same thing. She is pretty, but probably pretty high maintenance. He just seems like an asshat.

    • Beth says:

      I wonder if any of the people he knows were aware that he doesn’t use soap or if that was private information he didn’t expect his wife to tell in an interview. Definitely TMI

  3. Enn says:

    I’m mostly giving the side eye to this dick for whining about how she doesn’t give him her full attention when she’s raising a toddler. Eff that.

    I don’t believe he doesn’t smell. He’s a dancer who wears tight pants! Dudes need soap in the crotchular region.

    • Slowsnow says:

      Completely agree with you. Side note: THEY’re raising a toddler but it seems as though she is doing it on her own… As usual. If they were both doing it the “me me me” issue on his part wouldn’t even arise…

    • Cherry says:

      Came here to say the same thing. Barf @ ‘When I wake up, my mind is immediately on Shai when it used to be immediately on him.’ Girl, stop. Don’t feel bad about not being focused 100% on either your man or your baby. You are your own person and you’re raising the kid together, it’s not just YOUR responsibility. And he’s a d*ck for making her feel that way- who says “I don’t feel like you’re giving me all of you right now” to the mother of his toddler??? It might not be just him though, you know. Lots of women are raised on that crap.

    • Meija says:

      This dude is a grown a$$ man, she has a toddler, stop whining and start helping.

    • Mel M says:

      Ugh, there are so many men like this. One of my friends husbands is like this. She has two kids with him, older son and younger daughter. On one occasion he started grumbling about not having his own space, meaning he has to share a room with her-his wife. When she said no one has their own space (because they live in a pretty small three bedroom, no basement ranch) he said “well older son has his own room!” Seriously. He says stuff like this all of the time and has been since before she even got pregnant with number two. She is a doormat though.

    • Rhys says:

      THIS! I could care less about the deodorant part of this interview but his wanting full attention from his wife who had a baby recently?! HE, as a good father and a husband should be the one focusing on her and the baby, not demanding her attention. And him being “honest” and “not sugarcoating” anything? I’ve been married to a guy who loved to be mean and then turn it around as somehow being “honest.” Nasty person. I sent him packing as soon as could. I’m sorry, but Maks sounds like a jerk.

  4. Fanny says:

    There are so many paparazzi photos of him lecturing her/berating her while she stands there silently looking as if she wants to cry (if not actually crying). They have lasted as long as they have because she’s a doormat and she puts up with it.

    There’s another part of the article where she said she needs to work on putting more effort into her relationship with her husband because he complained to her that he’s not getting “all of her” since she had the baby.

    • tealily says:

      I don’t know who these people are, but her “the way he speaks” answer is raising a zillion red flags for me.

  5. Sayrah says:

    I seriously doubt he doesn’t stink if he doesn’t use soap or deodorant. Does he have no sweat glands?

    • TheHufflepuffLizLemon says:

      My husband has no real natural body odor. Like, if he goes for a couple of days without showering and no deodorant sure, there might be a faint odor of sweat. But if he forgets deodorant for a day, no smell. His feet don’t smell. Some people have different body chemistry. (Lucky man. I’m over here with prescription strength stuff and twice a day showers.)
      🤷🏻‍♀️

      • Branvoyage says:

        Hufflepuffle my husband doesn’t smell at all either. 10 years together and I’ve never noticed him to have foot odor or b.o. (his farts are a whole other story…)
        Even if he forgets deodorant he’s fine! It’s the strangest thing to me. Meanwhile, I smell:(

      • Astrid says:

        My husband doesn’t seem to smell either! and I don’t understand how that’s possible. He plays hockey etc and you’d think when he gets done it would be nasty but no…..who knew!

      • magnoliarose says:

        Mine doesn’t either. He’s very active and into conquering the outdoors but he doesn’t. I understand when he surfs he won’t but the other stuff he does doesn’t involve water. I never gave this topic much thought until today. Lol

      • Tiffany :) says:

        I wonder if he has no odor…or if you just don’t smell it. Body chemistry impacts how we interpret smell. If a guy smells particularly bad to you, I’ve heard it’s because your bodies and their chemistry would not work well for procreation. Also, men smell strongly of ammonia before they attack women.

      • leskat says:

        My husband is the same way. Even if it’s sweltering outside and he has been doing yardwork, he barely smells. Me? At the end of a hot summer day even with deodorant, I’ll smell. We just have very different body chemistries!

      • Eden75 says:

        My hubby is like this as well. In fact, he smells amazing after he has been active. Like he’s wearing a super nice cologne but he’s not. It’s not just me that notices this. Lots of people, not just ladies, have noticed it as well. It’s really odd. I’ve never met anyone else like it, but I definitely won’t complain! It’s lovely to wake up to, get close to, do other personal things with 😉

        Sadly for him, if I do not wear deodorant, I smell like a wildebeast.

    • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

      You should check out AOBiome products by Mother Dirt- it was founded in 2013 by an MIT chemical engineer. There was even an article in the NY Times about it.

    • Patty says:

      Sweat doesn’t cause people to stink. While we have a unique scent, smelly or unpleasant body odor is caused by bacteria. So the average healthy person can actually be fine cleaning with just water.

  6. Miss Margo says:

    I believe it. I stopped using deodorant years ago. I don’t shower everyday (every 2 or 3 days usually with soap!) and I literally don’t smell. I did at first though, kind of stayed in mostly lol. I just had to train my body to get it off of all that crap that’s in dove deodorant. I think my diet helps too. I don’t eat dairy or eggs, very small amount of meat, and nothing processed. Clean eating = clean body!

    • Slowsnow says:

      I’m a quite healthy vegan and I stink after intense physical activity. I went back to being active a few months ago so had to start using deodorant which I did not do before.

      It depends on people’s morphology. My dad. Does. Not. Smell. At. All. Even after mowing th lawn in the summer.

      My MIL uses a half lemon that she rubs and uses for a few days as she is allergic to the artificial products. Works for her.

      • Bridget says:

        Yeah, i’ve never been great about using deodorant, and admittedly I can smell. I definitely don’t think that hygiene products are just a marketing scam!

  7. Renee2 says:

    Um,

    Look. I know that we all have different bodies but I think that this is disgusting. Does he not use soap to wash his hànds after he goes to the bathroom?? And soap just doesn’t get rid of odors it gets rid of GERMS!!!! How many diseases were eradicated because people started washing their hands???? And he has bowel movements and doesn’t wash out his crack??? I am sorry, I am from a Caribbean family and this sh*t would not fly. I have to lie down now, this had gotten me all worked up.

    • Nev says:

      Bahahahhaahahahahahaha

    • Slowsnow says:

      You’re cracking me up!!

    • Enn says:

      You got all the truth in this post!

    • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

      Technically speaking, it isn’t the soap on your hands that decrease the numbers of bacteria- it’s the friction and the running water. The soap just provides more slip. And I’m talking about regular hand soap, not the antibacterial soaps with triclosan that are now banned by the FDA as unsafe ( as of late 2017).

      • Renee2 says:

        @NOTASOCIALBUTTERFLY

        I am not overly conversant with chemistry, but I remember making soap in grade ten science class and the molecules attaching to germs/bacteria which helped to remove grime, beyond the friction caused by washing. I too am referring to regular soap, not antibacterial concoctions. “Cleansing” with water alone is simply insufficient in terms of hygiene and preventing the spread of disease.

      • NotSoSocialButterfly says:

        @Renee2,
        Soap is lipophilic. It reacts to the sebum on your skin, removing the sebum and attendant bacteria. Hot water will also dissolve sebum, and the friction and running water will remove sebum and bacteria, as well.

        Disclosure: I am a soap user. Federal guidelines require soap in food service industries to enhance removal of bacteria- I think because most people only wash their hands for a fraction of the recommended 30 second period of time. Just observe hand washing habits in a public lavatory.

      • Renee2 says:

        @NOTSOSOCIALBUTTERFLY,

        Oh yes, I am regularly traumatized by observing people’s (lack) of personal hygiene in public spaces. People are nasty and then wonder why they get sick. It’s also inconsiderate for those who have weakened immune systems such as the chronically ill, small children, and babies.

      • InquisitiveNewt says:

        @Renee it traumatises me too! Once went to a 100th birthday party and someone brought her kid with norovirus along; she kissed great-grandma and then sat in a corner with a bucket… Beyond belief. ..

    • magnoliarose says:

      Haha. I kept thinking what about his ass and penis? Do they have a bidet? No soap for his crack or crevices? I mean like zero. He’s a dancer in tight sweaty pants and just no soap for him. Just sluice and go eh. Loofah or sponge or detachable showerhead. Epsom soaks? Then how is e coli spread? Does he handle food?
      This kind of stuff throws me into rabbit holes.

    • Patty says:

      Actually vigorously scrubbing your hands under a stream of hot water is as effective as killing most germs as using soap. In fact all of the anti bacterial soaps and washes are creating more problems because they kill good and bad bacteria.

      I rotate between Dr. Brommers rose, tea tree, peppermint, and Castile soap and use Meow Meow grapefruit deodorant only in the summer or when I’m going to be working out. Everyday before going to work, I shower and lotion, that’s it. And people always tell me I smell good.

      On occasion I will simply rinse off with warm water as a second shower before bed, especially in the summer, and I don’t stink. This over reliance on harsh soaps is really an American thing. If you have bad or strong body order, go see a Dr. There’s problem something else going on. Here’s another shocker, your poop is not supposed to smell obscenely bad either. If it does you have a problem. There a ton of people who don’t wash with soap, we probably just don’t know about it because again, unless they have some underlying issue, they don’t stink. https://www.thestar.com/life/2017/03/13/soap-free-for-seven-years.html

    • Serpentinefire says:

      I could say some stuff but I won’t. Just like you said this is disgusting this sh*t wouldn’t fly with my family eighther especially my mother. Can you imagine being with your significant other intimately knowing that they don’t use soap on parts that you may put your mouth on.

      • Avery says:

        @Renee2 and @Serpentinefire I know exactly what you want to say and wont! This is revolting to me to think that you don’t use soap and just use water. This is exactly why you don’t eat at just anybody’s house or anyone’s food. I will just leave it there.

    • Avery says:

      Thank you!!!! I am reading the comments and I am like- am I the only one that finds this absolutely disgusting! There is absolutely no way I would be a man like this. I am really shocked at all the women that are like…hmm…not a problem.

      • Fleur says:

        Anti-soapers:: we’re just going to have to agree to disagree on this one regarding the friction thing. I work in a medical environment; we require soap. Soap for the patients. Soap for the staff. In your own home, fine, go without it if you want, but where I work, a water-only attitude would be how MRSA and many other bacteria colonize and infect. It’s also how e-coli and typhoid spreads in the food industry, as someone mentioned above. Can we all remember typhoid? I say this as someone who does not shower every day, or even every other day. But I wash my hands thoroughly all through the work day, the minute I get home, and every time before I eat.

  8. Beth says:

    No soap? Barf! I use soap and deodorant every day, and on a hot Florida day spent outside, I don’t always smell sweet and fresh, so I highly doubt he never smells bad. Who wants to sleep next to a person who doesn’t bathe? That truly is disgusting

  9. amanda says:

    I don’t believe he doesn’t smell. I worked with someone who did this and she also thought she didn’t smell. She was wrong. Very wrong.

  10. Aud says:

    It may be a pheromone thing? Like, she thinks his natural scent is sexy but I’m guessing I’d gag?

    • Slowsnow says:

      “Say something something sexy about your husband”
      “He doesn’t clean his skin”.

      Ookayyyyyyyyy.

      Edit: this was not an answer to your post but somehow ended up here.

  11. Marty says:

    I just threw up in my mouth a little. My mama would’ve woop my ass if I didn’t use soap when I bathed myself. And, I’m sorry, but his junk must be on a whole other level of nasty.

  12. Becks1 says:

    My husband has to sweat a LOT to smell. Like go for a run, come home and mow the yard for an hour (and he sweats a lot, it just takes a while for it to smell, lol.) He does use deodorant though.

    My dad has never used deodorant in his life and is a long distance runner. He just doesn’t smell. He sweats, but no body odor. He’ll run 12 miles and come home and be soaked with sweat, but no smell. I sort of assume he uses soap in the shower lol but I’m not positive. I hope he does ha.

  13. Sojaschnitzel says:

    I know this sounds weird but it’s the same for my sweetheart. I think it’s because of food. We care A LOT about healthy food and it makes a difference.

  14. Lala11_7 says:

    If I had a baby that I was taking care of NON-STOP and my man gave me that…”I don’t feel like you’re giving me ALL of you right now”…My clapback…would…simply be…

    “If you don’t take your grown a– someplace and get you some BIDNESS…I swear BEFORE EVERYTHING THAT IS HOLY…and GO PICK UP SOME MORE PAMPERS FOR THE BABY WHILE YOU’RE AT IT!!! AND GET ME A TURTLE SUNDAE FROM CULVERS…AND DON’T FORGET THE WHIP CREAM AND CHERRY…and HURRY UP”!

  15. Angela82 says:

    I can go days without shampooing my hair. Because I work out after work and DC is so hot right now I do rinse off with soap though. Otherwise it just seems gross to me. But I also sweat profusely just walking a block in this heat lol. Regarding deodorant, I truly wish I didn’t have to use the aluminum product bc of the studies they’ve done but I have tried the all natural (like Toms) and it does not work on me. I stink lol. I really blame the fact I sweat so easily. I am also pretty thin and try and eat healthy so I am not sure what causes my stinky-ness tbqh. I think if I lived elsewhere I probably could go without it more often. The humidity really does me in.

  16. SJhere says:

    Well, I’ve gotta say smell or no smell, please still use soap and water. Do it for the rest of us.

    “I don’t feel like I get all of you.” F right off! Jackass! You are a grown man with a toddler you can help with raising the child, it’s a two way street. The toddler looks a right fine little guy, how can you not want to enjoy being involved?
    What a pain in the ass this guy must be to live with! No thanks.

  17. Bitsy says:

    For the life of me, I do not understand these new parents who claim the child is stealing attention from the man. Its so a–backwards! Women rip open their bodies to pop out a baby and then are expected to be perky, happy, slim, and sexual all while breast feeding and losing sleep. Its so crazy misogynist. Shame on him.

  18. Who ARE These People? says:

    The first person she should think about when she wakes up is herself.

  19. ChipnSticks says:

    He doesn’t sound like a nice guy.

  20. BANANIE says:

    Even if he doesn’t smell at all…why would that be the sexiest thing about him? Like I see that being super convenient. But does he have his own unique smell or something hah draws her to him? Maybe I’m superficial but dude is ripped!! That would be higher on my list than no soap usage tbh.

  21. Tiffany says:

    So she is raising two kids instead of one. I am surprised they have made it this long as well.

  22. Bailie says:

    What a shock, Eastern European guy being a misogynist, that can’t be – can it?

    Please kindly use soap and water, because those spandex dancing pants must cause quite a stench, especially in the crotch area.

    Even in 100% cotton or linen pants, the crotch area is sensitive to sweat/smell, I don’t want to imagine what spandex does.

  23. j says:

    I don’t like “black and white/tell it like it is” people. It’s usually an excuse to be rude. Honesty and rudeness are different. Honest people tell you how THEY feel…rude people tell you how YOU should feel.

    • Slowsnow says:

      Yes, it’s always “tell it like it is”… for you despite other people’s feelings and opinions.

    • horseandhound says:

      amen to that. that kind of people always discard other ppl’s feelings and ignore their emotions. that’s a lack of respect and not honesty. I’ve always thought he was hot looking, but I did have a feeling he was not a loving person. and that makes all of my hots for him die a quick death.

  24. Faithmobile says:

    Lemon juice is a deodorant. I grew up with hippy parents and have tried every natural deodorant from Toms to salt crystals. And the only one that works is one you make yourself with coconut oil and baking soda. It works so well it will remove existing odor. That being said her husband is an as*hat.

    • Neners says:

      I swear by coconut oil and baking soda. I hate the feeling of antiperspirants (and I swear they make me sweat more on other parts of my body to compensate) so I switched to a deodorant made of coconut oil, baking soda, and corn starch. I’ll never go back to regular deodorant.

    • Lex says:

      My sister and I make paste deodorant in her thermomix (although you can do in microwave too!) and it is amazing. You get used to being mildly wet on exertion but there is no smell, in fact I smell pleasant!

      I was finding regular Dove deodorant was fine but I’d often get a skanky musty smell by the end of the day, and the pits of my clothes would be a bit gross.
      I am not overly sweaty or smelly generally but the deodorant was giving me issues.

      I then starting getting contact dermatitis to antiperspirants (which clog up your skin with metals so no sweat comes out) so I switched to natural deodorants and find them to be so great! I had to try a bunch to find ones that worked for me but am now set.

      I am not sure if this is the exact recipe we use but it’s quite similar if not:
      https://www.theinspiredlittlepot.com.au/body/natural-deodorant-with-essential-oils/

  25. Pandy says:

    Sorry, but I want to soap my “privates” every day. He’s a talented dancer but a giant ego. And she does have a large head.

  26. Grace says:

    I have to weigh in too, on the no soap/deodorant thing too! Weirdly enough, I know someone who is a marathon runner and triathlete. NO deodorant or soap! And FIVE different people have commented about how he smells so good, no matter what he is doing! Weird! Unexplainable. True!

  27. Nicegirl says:

    She doesn’t give him all of her- no, she gave him MORE already, yo- a kid. Unbelievable crap omg

  28. lauren says:

    OK so first of all, Maksim is a dick and has always shown it on DWTS. My sister thinks he’s hot and I’m like “uh, no. Attitude kills that dead.”

    Second of all… he could be unstinky (as could the rest of you who are chiming in with your stories) because he has dry earwax. I’m weird but I found this page fascinating in a number of ways: https://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mythearwax.html

    (OK, I find it particularly interesting because I’m Whitey McWhite from a long line of white people, at least as far as I know, and have dry earwax. HOW??)