Mark Ballas and Maura Higgins didn’t win “The Traitors” season 4, but they walked away with an incredibly close friendship.
Now, “Dancing With the Stars” season 35 has announced that Maura Higgins will compete for the Mirrorball trophy this fall.
The Irish model might not have a strong dance background, but Mark Ballas thinks his friend has what it takes to go the distance.
Mark Ballas Believes Maura Higgins Could Be a Ringer
Throughout his time on “Dancing With the Stars,” Mark Ballas has won three Mirrorball trophies and appeared in the finale several times. He certainly knows what it takes to win the competition. Maura Higgins doesn’t have much of a ballroom background, and Ballas thinks that will ultimately help her.
“I think that’s a really smart way to approach ‘Dancing With the Stars,’” the 39-year-old told E! News. “Be open-minded, have fun, be a blank slate person.”
Ballas went on to say that there are moments where the competition is “fun” and “wild,” but there will be other times when the competitors get in their head.
He went on to describe “moments where it’s really hard. Where it’s stressful. Where you’re exhausted. Where you’re beat up—especially if you make it past week six, which we call the ‘trench.'”
But at the end of the day, Mark Ballas believes his “Traitors” co-star has what it takes to go the distance. She doesn’t take herself too seriously and is genuinely excited to be there.
“Maura is just a laugh and she’s up for it,” the season 31 champion continued. “And that’s half the battle. So I think she’s going to do really well.”
So far, Mark Ballas hasn’t said whether or not he plans to compete in season 35. But regardless, he will always extend a helping hand when Maura Higgins needs it.
“I will always be able to answer the phone if she needs a pep talk and some extra little bit of guidance to go through it. But I think she’s going to be amazing,” Ballas told E! News.
Maura Higgins Wants Her ‘Traitors’ Co-star as Her Pro Dance Partner
So far, Mark Ballas hasn’t said whether or not he will return as a pro for DWTS season 35. But if he does, Maura Higgins would love to have him as her partner.
“Mark. I want Mark as my partner,” the Irish model told Bustle in an Instagram video. “I’m gonna be happy you know with… Well I won’t say anyone. But I’m not gonna be upset if I get ‘not Mark.’ But Mark would be perfect.”
“That’s the dream because we both already have that like, brother sister relationship. We have a lot of fun together,” the 35-year-old added. “We would just have such a laugh and I feel like Mark understands me. Like, if he knows I’m getting in my head, he’d be like able to get me out of it. It makes sense right? I don’t feel like that’s really a leg up. We did one show together and I’ve never danced so it’s gonna be hard work either way.”
Without a doubt, fans would love to see Mark and Maura reunite on the ballroom floor. Time will tell if this partnership makes it to season 35.
Mark Ballas stars as a judge on “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” premiering on Monday, July 13, on ABC. “Dancing With the Stars” season 35 will follow this September.
