Mark Ballas


Mark Alexander Ballas Jr. is an American professional Latin and ballroom dancer, choreographer, musician, and actor. Since 2007, he has appeared as a pro on the ABC reality competition program Dancing with the Stars, winning the series three times. He earned a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for his work on the show.

Personal life

Mark Alexander Ballas Jr. was born on May 24, 1986, in Houston, Texas. He is the only child of professional ballroom dancers Corky Ballas and Shirley Ballas ; his father is an American of Greek ancestry, and his mother is British with predominantly English ancestry and distant Irish and Cape Coloured heritage. His paternal grandfather, George Ballas, was the inventor of the Weed Eater lawn-trimming device.
Ballas is a member of singer-songwriter duo Alexander Jean along with his wife, BC Jean. The two became engaged in November 2015 after three years of dating, and were married on November 25, 2016, in Malibu, California. Their son was born on November 5, 2023.

Career

Early life

Ballas attended Rosemead Preparatory School in South London. At the age of 11, he earned a full-time slot at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, as well as earning a full scholarship. In 2005, he was awarded "Performer of the Year". He then moved on to win championships at The British Open to the World, The US Open to the World, and The International Open to the World. With his former partner Julianne Hough, he won the Junior Latin American Dance Championship and the gold medal at the Junior Olympics.

Acting

As an actor, Ballas played the lead role of Tony in the musical Copacabana and was the lead dancer in the UK national tour of the Spanish musical Maria de Buenos Aires. He was also the understudy for the role of Ritchie Valens in the UK national tour of Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story. Ballas played an extra in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as part of the Hufflepuff House. In October 2008, Ballas made a guest appearance on the season premiere of Samantha Who.
On September 6, 2016, it was announced that Ballas would be the final actor to portray the role of Frankie Valli in the Broadway cast of Jersey Boys before it closes in 2017. On May 26, 2018, it was announced that he would play the role of the Teen Angel in the 2018 Toronto revival of Grease in a limited engagement from June 7–10. From September 11, 2018, to November 18, 2018, Ballas portrayed Charlie Price in the musical Kinky Boots on Broadway. In July 2022, he appeared as Harry in the Hollywood Bowl production of the same show.

Reality TV

''Dancing with the Stars''

On the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars, Ballas was partnered with Cheetah Girls star Sabrina Bryan. On October 30, 2007, the pair was voted off the show. They have been the only couple invited back for an exhibition dance.
Ballas's partner for season 6 of Dancing with the Stars was Olympic Gold Medal-winning figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi. They won the season.
On August 25, 2008, ABC announced the cast of the seventh season of Dancing with the Stars, with Ballas paired with reality television star Kim Kardashian. They were the third couple eliminated, finishing in eleventh place, on September 30, 2008.
For the eighth season of Dancing with the Stars, Ballas was paired with Olympic gold-medal winning gymnast Shawn Johnson, winning that season's competition on May 19, 2009.
He was partnered with actress Melissa Joan Hart for the show's ninth season. They were voted off in week six and came in 9th place.
For season 10, Ballas was partnered with actress Shannen Doherty. They were the first couple eliminated, on March 30, 2010. Despite that, Shannen & Mark hold a higher average than a few celebrities who lasted longer than they did.
For season 11, Ballas was partnered with Bristol Palin, daughter of former Alaska governor and U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. They made it to the finale and finished in third place.
For season 12, Ballas was partnered with Disney Channel star Chelsea Kane. They made it to the finals where they finished in third place. For his choreography with Kane, specifically the Jive, Viennese Waltz and Waltz dances, Ballas was nominated for that year's Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.
For season 13, Ballas was partnered with reality star Kristin Cavallari where they were the 3rd couple eliminated finishing in 10th place. In spite of this, they retained a higher average than a few couples that easily outlasted them, including Nancy Grace & Tristan MacManus, the quarter-finalists of the season.
For season 14, he was partnered with Classical Singer Katherine Jenkins. They made it to the finale where they finished as the runners-up, losing to Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd.
For season 15, he returned with season 11 partner, Bristol Palin before being eliminated in week 4. In week 7, he danced with his former partner Shawn Johnson because her partner, Derek Hough suffered a neck injury.
He was paired with two-time Olympic champion Aly Raisman for season 16. Since season 16 had four couples reach the finals for the first time, Aly and Mark were able to become finalists. On May 21, however, they were eliminated at the beginning of the show landing them in fourth place.
For season 17, he was paired with singer Christina Milian. They were the 4th couple eliminated despite receiving the first 10 of the season.
For season 18, he partnered with Full House actress Candace Cameron Bure. The couple made it to the finals and ended in third place.
For season 19, he partnered with Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson and finished in 2nd place behind Alfonso Ribeiro.
For season 20, he was paired with star of The Hunger Games film series Willow Shields. The couple was shockingly eliminated in week 7, finishing in seventh place despite receiving high scores throughout the season.
For season 21, he was partnered with actress Alexa PenaVega. They were shockingly eliminated in week 9 and finished the competition in 6th place.
For season 22, he was paired with UFC mixed martial artist Paige VanZant. Ballas and VanZant made it to the finals of the show and finished in second place. Ballas was not part of the season 23 & 24 cast.
Ballas returned as a professional dancer for season 25, and was paired with violinist Lindsey Stirling. Ballas and Stirling made it to the finals and finished in second place.
Ballas returned to the show for season 31. He was partnered with social media personality and dancer Charli D'Amelio. They won the competition, making this Ballas' third win on the show and his first win since Season 8.
Ballas returned to the show for season 34 after a two year break. He was partnered with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt. Despite receiving the highest cumulative points in the season at the time, Ballas and Leavitt were eliminated during the semifinals on November 18, 2025, finishing in sixth place.
* The average has been adjusted to be out of 30, not 40
SeasonPartnerPlaceAverage
5Sabrina Bryan7th27.0
6Kristi Yamaguchi1st28.33
7Kim Kardashian11th18.0
8Shawn Johnson1st26.94
9Melissa Joan Hart9th21.17
10Shannen Doherty11th19.0
11Bristol Palin3rd22.59
12Chelsea Kane3rd26.13
13Kristin Cavallari10th21.67
14Katherine Jenkins2nd27.87
15Bristol Palin9th21.0
16Alexandra Raisman4th26.71
17Christina Milian9th25.0
18Candace Cameron Bure3rd25.47*
19Sadie Robertson2nd26.72*
20Willow Shields7th25.50*
21Alexa PenaVega6th25.75
22Paige VanZant2nd27.13
25Lindsey Stirling2nd27.06
31Charli D'Amelio1st28.29*
34Whitney Leavitt6th26.88*
''Dancing with the Stars'' performances
  • Season 5 with celebrity partner Sabrina Bryan ; placed 7th
  • Season 6 with celebrity partner Kristi Yamaguchi ; placed 1st
  • Season 7 with celebrity partner Kim Kardashian ; placed 11th
  • Season 8 with celebrity partner Shawn Johnson ; placed 1st
  • Season 9 with celebrity partner Melissa Joan Hart ; placed 9th
  • Season 10 with celebrity partner Shannen Doherty ; placed 11th
  • Season 11 with celebrity partner Bristol Palin ; placed 3rd
  • Season 12 with celebrity partner: Chelsea Kane ; placed 3rd
  • Season 13 with celebrity partner: Kristin Cavallari ; placed 10th
  • Season 14 with celebrity partner: Katherine Jenkins ; placed 2nd
  • Season 15 with celebrity partner: Bristol Palin ; placed 9th
  • Season 16 with celebrity partner: Aly Raisman ; placed 4th
  • Season 17 with celebrity partner: Christina Milian ; placed 9th
  • Season 18 with celebrity partner: Candace Cameron Bure ; placed 3rd
  • Season 19 with celebrity partner: Sadie Robertson ; placed 2nd
  • Season 20 with celebrity partner Willow Shields ; placed 7th
  • Season 21 with celebrity partner Alexa PenaVega ; placed 6th
  • Season 22 with celebrity partner Paige VanZant ; placed 2nd
  • Season 25 with celebrity partner Lindsey Stirling ; placed 2nd
  • Season 31 with celebrity partner Charli D'Amelio ; placed 1st
  • Season 34 with celebrity partner Whitney Leavitt ; placed 6th