Mark Ballas Steps Into Judging Role for 'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro'

After years of gracing the ballroom floor and hoisting Mirrorball Trophies, Mark Ballas, a revered figure in the 'Dancing With the Stars' universe, is taking center stage in a new capacity. He has been appointed as a permanent judge for 'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,' a brand-new spin-off series designed to unearth the next generation of professional dancers for the main franchise. This move signals a strategic evolution for the beloved dance competition, ensuring a fresh influx of talent directly into its highly anticipated 35th season.

Quick summary

• Mark Ballas, a three-time Mirrorball Trophy winner and long-standing professional, is now a permanent judge on 'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.'
• The spin-off competition aims to identify and recruit a new professional dancer to join the cast of 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 this fall.
• Ballas emphasizes 'adaptability' and the ability to 'serve your celebrity' as the paramount qualities for aspiring professional dancers on the show.
• Despite his new judging role, Ballas has stated he is 'open' to returning as a professional dancer on the main 'Dancing With the Stars' series.

Why it matters

The introduction of 'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro' and Mark Ballas's pivotal role on its judging panel represents a significant strategic pivot for one of television's longest-running reality competitions. For the 'Dancing With the Stars' franchise, this spin-off creates a formalized pipeline for new talent, ensuring a consistent infusion of skilled professionals who are already familiar with the show's unique demands. This innovation addresses the natural turnover of pros over nearly two decades and injects renewed excitement for viewers anticipating fresh faces alongside established fan favorites.

For aspiring professional dancers, 'The Next Pro' offers an unprecedented opportunity to gain direct entry into a high-profile television show, bypassing traditional casting hurdles. Ballas's presence on the panel, as an actively participating professional himself, lends immense credibility and practical insight to the judging process. His perspective ensures that contestants are evaluated not just on technical skill, but on the nuanced attributes required to excel in the specific environment of 'Dancing With the Stars' – qualities like partner chemistry, teaching ability, and the capacity to adapt under pressure. This directly impacts the quality of the main show, promising more dynamic partnerships and performances for the audience.

Background

Mark Ballas's journey with 'Dancing With the Stars' began in 2007, joining as a professional dancer in season five. Over his extensive tenure, he became a household name, earning an Emmy nomination in 2011 and securing three coveted Mirrorball Trophies, making him one of the most decorated professionals in the show's history, second only to current main judge Derek Hough and tied with Val Chmerkovskiy. His consistent presence and ability to forge successful partnerships with celebrity contestants established his reputation as both an exceptional dancer and a skilled choreographer.

The concept of 'The Next Pro' emerges from the evolving landscape of 'Dancing With the Stars.' As the show approaches its 35th season, there's a continuous need for new, vibrant professional talent to keep the series fresh and engaging. Rather than relying solely on external recruitment, creating an internal competition to scout and develop future pros ensures a pool of candidates who are already steeped in the show's ethos. This initiative follows a period of intense activity for Ballas, who, in addition to filming 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 34 (September-November), also participated in 'The Traitors' Season 4 (May-June 2025), performed on Broadway in 'Chicago' (April), and shot 'The Next Pro' (March 2026), highlighting his deep and active involvement across various entertainment projects.

Qnews24h insight

The launch of 'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro' is more than just a new spin-off; it represents a shrewd strategic move by the franchise to future-proof its talent pipeline. In an era where long-running reality shows face the challenge of maintaining freshness, establishing a dedicated feeder system like 'The Next Pro' ensures a continuous supply of highly motivated and pre-vetted talent. This internal scouting mechanism minimizes the risks associated with external casting, allowing the main show to integrate new professionals seamlessly while leveraging the established brand power to cultivate new stars.

Mark Ballas's selection as a judge is particularly insightful. Unlike past pros who transitioned to judging after retiring from competition, Ballas remains an active, current professional. This unique position grants him unparalleled credibility, allowing him to offer advice rooted in immediate, lived experience on the main show's floor. His emphasis on 'adaptability' isn't just a buzzword; it's a direct reflection of the chaotic, high-pressure environment of 'Dancing With the Stars' where pros must quickly understand and teach diverse celebrity personalities. This active pro perspective on the judging panel distinguishes 'The Next Pro' from other talent searches, offering contestants a direct and pragmatic path to success.

Ballas, who joins his mother, ballroom legend Shirley Ballas, and a rotating cast of current 'Dancing With the Stars' pros on the judging panel, views his role as a mentor rather than a gatekeeper. He believes his extensive experience—having completed 21 seasons—provides invaluable insights for aspiring dancers. "I’m still out there with you. I get it. I just did last season, and I’ve done this 21 times, so my feedback is always from a place of love," Ballas shared, emphasizing his desire to share practical wisdom rather than strict criticism.

When asked about the crucial qualities needed to succeed, Ballas did not hesitate. Beyond impressive dancing and choreography skills, he highlighted 'adaptability' as the "secret sauce." This trait, he explained, is paramount in the dynamic and unpredictable world of 'Dancing With the Stars,' where professionals must tailor their approach to each unique celebrity partner.

Filming 'The Next Pro' was just one facet of Ballas's incredibly packed schedule. Reflecting on a period that saw him juggling multiple high-profile projects, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities. "It’s been fun. It’s been a lot. I’m very grateful and blessed," he noted, highlighting his enjoyment in being part of 'Traitors,' 'Dancing With the Stars,' and now, helping cultivate new talent on 'The Next Pro.'

The winner of 'The Next Pro' has already been decided, a fact confirmed by showrunner Conrad Green. This means the chosen dancer will immediately transition into the main 'Dancing With the Stars' cast for Season 35. Ballas offered crucial advice for the incoming professional: embrace every piece of guidance, remain open-minded, and, most importantly, always prioritize their celebrity partner's journey. "Remember that even though you’re a massive part of the journey, the secret sauce is that you are serving your celebrity," he advised, stressing that the most successful pros understand their role is to make their partner shine.

A question on many fans' minds is whether Ballas himself will return to the main 'Dancing With the Stars' competition as a pro. Despite his new permanent judging role on the spin-off, Ballas confirmed this does not preclude his return to the flagship show. "I’m definitely open," he stated, indicating that conversations are ongoing as casting decisions for Season 35 are finalized. "She [casting director Deena Katz] knows where to find me. She’s the best for a reason."

'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro' airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Sources

• hollywoodreporter.com

FAQ

What is 'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro'?

'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro' is a new spin-off competition series created to discover and recruit a new professional dancer for the upcoming 35th season of the main 'Dancing With the Stars' show. It serves as a pipeline for fresh talent to join the long-running dance competition.

Who are the judges on 'The Next Pro'?

The judging panel for 'Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro' includes veteran DWTS professional Mark Ballas, his mother and ballroom dance world legend Shirley Ballas, and a rotating panel of current 'Dancing With the Stars' professional dancers as guest judges.

Will Mark Ballas return as a professional dancer on the main DWTS show?

Despite his new role as a permanent judge on 'The Next Pro,' Mark Ballas has stated he is "open" to returning as a professional dancer on the main 'Dancing With the Stars' series. He indicated that casting decisions for Season 35 are still being finalized.

What qualities are the judges looking for in 'The Next Pro' contestants?

Beyond strong dancing and choreography skills, Mark Ballas emphasizes "adaptability" as the key quality for contestants. He also advises the winner to prioritize serving their celebrity partner, be open-minded, and embrace advice from those around them, understanding that it's ultimately the celebrity's journey.