Sadly, Mauricio Umansky’s adventure on Dancing with the Stars has come to an end. He was eliminated from the show on Halloween night, October 31.
Despite his elimination from the show, he’s grateful for the support of his family. And while he’s been transformed physically, the real estate mogul also says he’s grown emotionally during his experience.
He’s been going through a difficult time since his separation from Kyle Richards, his wife of 27 years. Though they’ve been living separate lives, Mauricio says Kyle’s been supportive. PEOPLE has all the tea.
A physical transformation
Dancing four to eight hours a day is great exercise, as many previous DWTS contestants have reported. Though he was never heavy to begin with, Mauricio has seen the results of doing so much cardio.
Just prior to the start of the show, Mauricio had been on a family vacation in Italy (Kyle included). He was eating a lot of great Italian pasta and drinking a lot of the local wine. But when rehearsals started, his dancing partner/coach Emma Slater began whipping him back into shape.
“I have transformed tremendously,” he revealed. “since I started this journey … I’ve been on a great diet. I’ve lost 20 pounds in six weeks. I’m [in] as good physical shape as I’ve ever been.”
Emotional growth
The dancing opportunity couldn’t have come at a better time for Mo. Even though he claims to still be fighting for his marriage, the separation has been emotional. In addition to being his dancing coach, Emma has been an amazing emotional support for him. She’s also currently navigating her own divorce from DWTS co-star Sasha Farber.
“Emma has been a great friend, a great coach, a great confidant,” Mo gushed about the professional dancer. “Emotionally, it’s just been a great journey as well. So on every aspect, it’s been solid.”
After his elimination, Mo shared his appreciation for his family being so supportive. His mother and his daughters have been in the audience nearly every week cheering him on.
Even Kyle has been supportive, though she hasn’t been in the audience since the premiere on September 26. Mauricio explained that she’s “had her own stuff going on,” but has still been encouraging.
Was there a romantic involvement?
As with nearly every DWTS pair who’ve had good chemistry together, rumors circulated that Mo and Emma were romantically involved. Gossip flared when they were photographed leaving a Beverly Hills restaurant hand in hand. But Mo was quick to squash the idea of a romance.
“We are not dating,” he said. “We are really good friends. We’ve been dancing together now for six weeks, four hours a day, every single day.”
“It’s intense,” added Emma. “You really form a very, very special bond, and I think we have similar personalities … We’re definitely there for each other and it’s beautiful.”
Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+. Meanwhile, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills continues Wednesdays on Bravo.
TELL US – DID MAURICIO’S ELIMINATION SURPRISE YOU? DO YOU BELIEVE MAURICIO AND EMMA ARE JUST FRIENDS?
