Dancing With the Stars’ devoted fans were elated to see veteran dancer Mark Ballas back on the show for Season 33. However, Mark didn’t return as a pro dancer, but was given a seat on the judges’ panel as a guest judge for the very first time. Mark’s performance as a judge was well-received.
Mark returned to perform alongside pro-turned-judge Derek Hough during the season finale. They wowed both the live audience and viewers at home with their Argentine Tango. It was also amazing to see Mark on the ballroom floor. The DWTS alum has performed for 20 seasons, but fans will recall that he took a lengthy hiatus after he competed in Season 25. He wouldn’t return until Season 31, which ended up being his very last.
Here’s Why DWTS Alum Mark Ballas Took A 5-Year Hiatus And Why He Came Back For One More Season
Mark Ballas had a long career on Dancing With the Stars. He began his journey as a professional dancer in Season 5 when he was partnered with Sabrina Bryan. The following season, Mark and Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi would come out on top and Mark won his first mirrorball trophy.
Mark has danced with several big-named stars, which included Kim Kardashian, Shawn Johnson (with whom he earned his second win), Bristol Palin, Kristin Cavallari, Candace Cameron-Bure, Alexa PenaVega, and Paige VanZant. However, after his appearance in Season 25, where he placed 2nd with his partner, Lindsay Sterling, Mark took a 5-year hiatus.
Fans have wondered why the exceptional dancer took such a big break before returning in Season 31. Mark and his celebrity partner, Charlie D’Ameilo, won and he would nab his third mirrorball. During an interview with Joe Vulpis on his Lightweights podcast, Mark shared why he had been away for some time and why he decided to come back.
In his interview, Mark shared that his hiatus was due to his commitments on Broadway where he starred in Kinkyboots, as well as citing the pandemic for taking a break from the show. However, once he got a phone call from the show’s executive producer, Deena Katz, it all changed.
“I was just like, ‘hey, Deena, what’s up?’ She said, ‘I’d love to get on a call with you.’ And I was like, ‘sure.’ And that was when I first found out that Conrad [Green] was coming back,” he shared. Conrad, was also a producer of DWTS, but left in 2014, until his return in 2022.
“When I heard Conrad was coming back, I was like, I’m interested, you know, because I just love Conrad. He gets the show. He’s great,” Mark added. The pro also shared that he and his wife were trying to start a family at the time and had “some downtime,” so it was the perfect opportunity to return. He’d wind up making it one of the best decisions of his life after he won the season he returned.
Mark And Derek Hough’s Argentine Tango Went Viral
After winning the mirrorball trophy for the third time in Season 31, Mark retired from the show. However, his return in Season 33 was definitely a major highlight. In the season finale, fans watched him team up with pro-turned-judge Derek Hough to dance an Argentine Tango number together.
Before making their way to the dance floor, both men gave a little history lesson on the Argentine Tango. “Tonight, my buddy Mark Ballas and I are going to be bringing you a little ballroom history by dancing an Argentine Tango the way it was originally intended with two male dancers,” Derek shared.
Most people would think the Argentine Tango is a very sexy, intimate, embracing moment between a man and a woman, but this is going to be a dance between two males,” Mark added.
The public responded positively to seeing a same-sex dance in Season 33. In fact, it has garnered over 1.2 million views on YouTube. When Mark spoke about the dance with Joe on his podcast, he admitted that he got the jitters because it was his first time back on the dancefloor since his win a couple of seasons back.
“Getting to have that momet together was pretty powerful.”
“It’s nerves. It’s 100% nerves, it’s adrenaline. And, having to just breathe through it … you have to be in touch with your breath, you have to stay grounded,” he shared. In addition, he shared that he had actually followed Derek during his dance tour across the U.S. so that they could practice their routine, which they choreographed “together.”
Would Mark Ballas Return As A Judge?
Season 33 also saw Mark return as a guest judge. The dancer judged the Episode 5, “Dedication Night” dances and fans enjoyed seeing Mark in the judges seat. In fact, some viewers and his best friend, Derek, have expressed wanting to see Mark as a permanent judge. Speaking to Joe, he shared:
“I enjoyed the process, it was really fun. I was talking to Derek about it and some of the others and just saying like, I did the show for 20 seasons, 18 straight, took a year off, went back for season, took five years off, went back for season, and after doing the show for that long, it was pretty cool to still find a new experience.”
Mark also told the host that he “studied” the judges’ panel before he became a guest judge. The pro shared that he rewatched a couple of the previous seasons to really nail down the role. However, Mark really impressed viewers and got a positive response from them.
“I was grateful for that, I’m excited to be there, and I was a little overwhelmed. Very grateful for the response, it’s been very good,” Mark said.
In an interview with TV Insider, Mark revealed that he’d be 100% on board if the show needed him to come back as a judge.
“If they would have me? Of course! It would be fun.”
Mark also took to Instagram to share that he was honored to be made a guest judge. It shouldn’t come as no surprise given his history with the show.
“It was an honor to be at the judges table last night, After 20 seasons as a competitor I feel like I’ve done it all, but some how this little ballroom dancing show we all love still had a new experience up its sleeve for me.” He added. “I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the dancing & I truly hope I gave the couples some tips to take with them as they move into the next phase of the competition.