Maxim Chmerkovsky is still rocking his time in Ukraine.
The former Star Dancer pro told Good Morning America in an interview Friday that he felt “guilty” of being able to escape the war-torn country when so many others are still are blocked amid Russia’s invasion.
“I feel guilty. I feel guilty. I feel bad,” he said. “I feel ashamed. I feel upset. ”
Already at home in Los Angeles and reunited with his wife, Peta Margatroyd, Cmerkowski said he was dealing with mental trauma.
“I am still fighting or running. I am a big boy, but I know for sure that I am experiencing something mentally, because I fall into these tearful moments, emotional, I can not control it, “he explained.
“I cried on the way from the airport. I felt uncomfortable all the way back because I was the only man on the train among all the women and children. ”
Chmerkovski, 42, also shared more details about his brief arrest in his home country as a result of a curfew. He said an officer recognized him from the ABC dance series, so he was able to continue on his way.
“[Being recognized] He absolutely saved me, but it’s not like they shot me, “Chmerkovski explained. “I would probably be accommodated somewhere where I could sit until they found out who I was and verified my identity.
“It would have been good, but I felt that things were real,” he continued, “and suddenly I don’t have all the things I need to feel safe in this place. I’m not made for that at all. “
As Six reported earlier, Chmerkovsky was in Kyiv to serve as a judge for the Ukrainian version of World of Dance.