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Mark Ballas is not a gatekeeper. That’s why, just last year, he lent his talents to two Emmy-nominated TV shows and soared chicago to new heights at the box office.
Now, he regains his place on the Mint’s jury Dancing with the stars spin off Next Prowhich will find the show’s next professional dancer to join Season 35 this fall.
“I like to serve. I like to help,” Ballas says. Hollywood Reporter in Next Pro The Hollywood viewing party premieres Monday night. “I like to offer advice where I can if people want it. I’m not a gatekeeper.”
Palace has been part of Dancing with the stars Family since 2007, when he joined the cast as a professional dancer for season five. Since then, he has remained a staple of the series, earning an Emmy Award nomination in 2011 and winning three Mirrorball Awards. He is the second winningest pro on the show, second only to the main one Dance Judge Derek Hough tied with Val Chemerinsky.
To be frank, Palace has more than the basic requirements needed to rule Next Pro (Especially alongside his mother, ballroom legend Shirley Ballas). He hopes to have extensive experience with Dancehaving just come off a fruitful 34th season when the spinoff was filmed, is making way for aspiring professionals.
“I hope what’s fun for the contestants is to have an active professional on the panel, who will stay. All of our rotating professionals [that serve as guest judges] current[[Dance “Pros]too, but I’m an active professional broadcaster,” he says. “So I’m coming from a place of like, ‘Hey, I’m still there with you. I get it. I did it last season, and I did it 21 times, so my comments always come from a place of love.’
Ballas says his history with the show is exactly what he would hope for in a judge if the roles were reversed.
“If I were competing, I would like to hear from someone who has done it over and over again, so I can pick up any information that doesn’t make sense,” he says. “Because even after 21 seasons, I’m still learning. But in every situation you’re thrown into, there’s no one glove that fits all; you’ve got to be able to adapt.”
And that’s exactly what the Ballas team and the weekly guest judges are looking for Next Pro Runners: Adaptability. “Can you dance? Great. Can you choreograph? Great. You can look great, you can have personality, but can you be adaptable? That’s the secret sauce.”
the Next Pro It premiered on Monday night, but the show itself was filmed during a fairly busy period for Palace. He shot the fourth season of Traitors In May and June of 2025; Participated in season 34 of Dance Along with Whitney Levitt from September through November; Take a short break for holidays; Shoot at Next Pro In March 2026; He joined Levitt on Broadway chicago In April.
On Tuesday, he returned to New York to prepare for his return chicago. It was fun, but it was also a lot, he says.
“It’s been fun. It’s been a lot. I’m so grateful and blessed.” Traitors It’s one of my favorite shows obviously Dance “It’s one of my favorite shows,” he says. “And be a part of it Next ProSomething to help young talent; You know, this is where I’m at… I’m always happy to share how this works, and I’m so honored that they chose me[tojudge[tojudgeNext Pro].”
Winner from Next Pro It has already been decided, as showrunner Conrad Green confirmed in April, meaning the winner will immediately join the recurring competition Dance The cast, starting their first season as professionals this fall. When it comes to participating in the live show and teaching a celebrity the mechanics of ballroom dancing, Ballas urges the winner to be open and flexible, while remembering to put their partner first.
“Take all the advice you can from those around you, and remember that even though you are a big part of the journey, the secret sauce is that you are serving your famous person,” Ballas says. “It’s their journey. Of course it’s your journey as a team, but I feel like the most successful professionals realize that this journey is theirs, and ultimately, [celebrities] It should look good.”
As a permanent judge Dance Spinoff, Palace confirms that this does not prevent him from appearing in Season 35 as a professional dancer, and that he is “open” to another return.
“I think they’re two different contexts. I mean, I’m definitely open. And, you know, we’re still finalizing the cast and making announcements,” he says.
“Yes, I’m open,” Ballas adds. “We’ll see, you know. We’ll see.” “I will wait to see what our amazing manager does [Deena Katz] She decides to do it, but she knows where to find me. “It’s the best for a reason.”
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Professional It airs Mondays at 8pm on ABC, with episodes available to stream on Tuesdays on Disney+ and Hulu.
