“Dancing With the Stars” pro Mark Ballas has been sidelined with an unknown illness that has forced him to sit out of his scheduled appearances in “Chicago” on Broadway.
The beloved dancer opened up about the illness that is now affecting his wife BC Jean’s birthday celebration.
Mark Ballas Shares Birthday Tribute to Wife
Ballas took to social media to wish his wife a happy 39th birthday.
“Happy birthday to the love of my life,” Ballas shared via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, April 22. “I can’t imagine doing life without you.”
Ballas — who is in the middle of a limited engagement run in the beloved musical production with former dance partner Whitney Leavitt — explained that Jean and their son Banksi Wylde have also come down with the mystery illness.
He continued, “I’m so sad I can’t take you out to celebrate due to this illness that now our sweet baby and you both have, but I promise to make it up to you as soon as we are all feeling stronger.”
“Thank you for taking such good care of me all week while I have been at one of my weakest moments,” he wrote. “You are my everything. Happy birthday.”
Mark Ballas’ Mystery Illness
Ballas was forced to sit out of his scheduled performances over the weekend amid an undisclosed illness. Upon his return on Monday, however, the professional dancer was unable to complete the first act of the musical before exiting.
“I unfortunately couldn’t make it through the first act,” he shared via Instagram on Monday. “I tried my best but I am still recovering and probably should have waited as I am not fully healed & my voice totally went out on me half way through the first song. I apologize profusely to all that came out to see me & this wonderful cast. I am devastated.”
The following day, he shared another message to anounce that he would be unable to return for Tuesday night’s show.
“Thank you all for being so patient with me, no one is more disappointed than I am,” he shared via his Instagram Story on Tuesday, April 21. “I truly appreciate everyone who has reached out and shown support, it means more than you know.”
“I came back a bit prematurely, and after listening to my doctors, it’s clear I need to take a little more time to recover properly,” Ballas continued. “Huge shoutout to [James T. Lane] for stepping in and holding it down.”
It was first announced in March that Ballas and his iconic “Dancing With the Stars” partner and “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt would be reuniting on Broadway for a limited run.
“After spending the last few months in the world of The Traitors, where everything is about lies, murder, and deception, stepping into Chicago feels like a pretty natural next move,” he told People at the time. “I’m so excited to be returning to Broadway, this time as Billy Flynn, and even more excited that I get to share the stage with Whitney, who’s already killing it as Roxie Hart. I’m excited to get this partnership back together and make DWTS history.”
Ballas’ four-week run began April 6 and runs through May 3.
