Mark Ballas is addressing fans directly after being forced to step away from the stage and miss ‘Chicago’ Broadway shows due to illness. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Ballas explained that he would not be able to perform, revealing that the situation has affected not just him, but his entire household.
The fan-favorite “Dancing With the Stars” pro shared that he has been doing everything possible to recover and return to the stage as soon as he can.
Ballas Candidly Opens Up After Missing Shows Due to Illness
ABCIn an emotional statement shared with fans, Ballas is opening up about the emotional toll of being forced to step away from the stage, sharing a candid message with fans during a difficult moment.
While many supporters have rallied around him, he acknowledged that some reactions have been harder to process, gently asking for patience as he navigates an illness that remains beyond his control.
The disappointment, he explained, is not just professional but deeply personal, with family members traveling from England in hopes of seeing him perform, a moment that will now have to wait.
As per an Instagram story accessed by EntertainmentNow, Ballas shared:
“Sorry, I will not be able to perform again tonight. This illness has hit me and my whole household very hard. I have been doing everything I can to get back. Please have grace with some of your aggressive DMs. It’s not like I’m doing this on purpose or can prevent what is happening. I even have family that has flown in from England that won’t be able to see me perform now. This is a massive disappointment for me & again I can’t apologize enough. Thank you for understanding.”
In his statement, Ballas made it clear that the decision to miss the performance was not taken lightly.
He emphasized that his illness has been severe enough to impact his entire household, making it difficult for him to take the stage despite his efforts to push through.
The message reflects both his deep disappointment and his commitment to returning when he is fully recovered, while asking fans to extend kindness during a difficult moment.
Health Setback Impacts ‘Chicago’ Performances
On April 17, Ballas had already offered fans an early glimpse into the health challenges that would soon keep him off the stage.
ABCThe professional dancer, who reunited with Whitney Leavitt after their time on “Dancing With the Stars,” had generated excitement among audiences eager to see them perform together in “Chicago” on Broadway as Billy Flynn and Roxie Hart.
But behind the scenes, both were quietly navigating health setbacks.
On April 14, Whitney Leavitt also shared a brief health update with fans, revealing she would be stepping away from “Chicago” as she focused on recovery.
In a message posted to Instagram, she wrote, “💛 hi loves 💛 I’ll be out of Chicago tonight. Still recovering from a viral infection. Hope to be fully recovered by Thursday. Love you guys!” The note offered a gentle glimpse into her condition while reassuring fans that she was on the mend.
As Leavitt began to recover after stepping away from her role, Ballas revealed that he had also fallen ill, forcing him to miss scheduled performances.
Earlier, he also apologized to fans who had planned to attend, noting that the decision was out of his control and promising updates.
“It hurts my heart to write this, but yesterday I woke up unwell and have been hit with a viral illness,” he shared on his Instagram Stories on the 17th April.
“I am trying to rest to be able to get back on my feet as soon as possible, but after visiting the doctors and doing some tests, I have been advised to sit tonight’s show out.”
“I apologize to all those who were coming to see me tonight, but this is unfortunately out of my hands. I will keep you posted on my progress.”
Despite the frustration voiced by some, Ballas’ message also highlighted the emotional toll the situation has taken on him personally, including missing the opportunity to perform for family who had traveled to see him.
The moment reflects the realities of live performance, where even the most dedicated artists must sometimes step back.
