Mark Ballas is officially back on the ballroom floor for Dancing With the Stars season 34, and fans are overjoyed to see one of the show’s most beloved pros return. After previously stepping away from competition and hinting that his career might be finished, Ballas revealed the heartfelt reason that convinced him to lace up his dancing shoes once again.
In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Ballas admitted he once believed his time on DWTS was behind him. “I’m super excited. You know, I thought I was done competing in 2022,” he confessed. “I had some injury stuff that I had to kind of be diligent about.” For a time, he focused on recovery and life outside the ballroom, unsure if he would ever perform on the iconic stage again.
But everything changed when Ballas became a father. “When I had my son, I was like, you know … no, I’m not going to submit to these ailments. I’m going to work hard on them,” he shared. “So, I’ve been really working on those things. They’ve cleared up. I feel good.” He added that the birth of his son gave him a new sense of purpose, inspiring him to push through challenges and rediscover his passion for dance.
Ballas explained that his brief tango appearance with Derek Hough last season served as a test run to see if he was truly ready. “I got to dance with Derek, which was a great test run,” he said. “I just am excited for my son to see me do this. So, yeah I was like, ‘I got another one or two in the tank. Let’s give it a go.’”
This season, Ballas is partnered with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt. The two quickly made an impression online when Leavitt shared their first team photos on Instagram, writing, “Team WHARK IT!!! Comin in hoootttt 🔥 #dwts.” Ballas also celebrated the reveal, posting a playful video and writing, “Well … This will be fun @whitleavitt 👯♀️.”
Fans flooded both posts with excitement, thrilled to see Ballas back in the spotlight. “What did we do to deserve another season with THE Mark Ballas?!?” one fan wrote, while another gushed, “Welcome back to the ballroom, Mark!!!!! WE’VE MISSED YOU.” Others predicted big things for him and Leavitt, with one supporter commenting, “You guys are gonna win the mirrorball.”
The excitement has spilled over to Reddit, where viewers praised Ballas’ decision to return for such a personal reason. “I LOVE that his son made him realize he wasn’t done,” one fan shared. Another added, “That’s sweet that he came back for his son. I’m glad he took the time to take care of himself first before jumping back in.”
For Ballas, the comeback isn’t just about competing again — it’s about legacy, love, and proving that passion can outlast setbacks. With his son cheering him on, his health restored, and a promising partnership with Whitney Leavitt, season 34 is shaping up to be one of the most meaningful chapters of his career.
