Mark Ballas is back on the dance floor for “Dancing With the Stars” season 34 — and fans couldn’t be more excited. The “DWTS” pro dancer shares why he decided to return to the show after a long break.
Mark Ballas Reveals the Touching Reason He’s Back on DWTS
In a September 2025 interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” Ballas shared how he finally found his way back to “Dancing With the Stars.”
“I’m super excited. You know, I thought I was done competing in 2022,” he explained. “I had some injury stuff that I had to kind of be diligent about.”
He continued, “But 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. So, I’ve been really working on those things. They’ve cleared up. I feel good.”
“I got to dance with Derek [Hough] last season in the tango, which was a great test run,” Ballas noted. “I just am excited for my son to see me do this.”
He added, “So, yeah I was like, ‘I got another one or two in the tank. Let’s give it a go.'”
Ballas took a hiatus from the show after season 25 and returned for season 31 in 2022.
He’s paired with “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt for “DWTS” season 34.
Fans Are Excited to See Mark Ballas Back on ‘DWTS’
After the “Dancing With the Stars” season 34 cast was announced, Leavitt took to Instagram to share their first photos for the show.
“Team WHARK IT!!! Comin in hoootttt 🔥 #dwts,” she wrote in the caption.
Ballas also posted a video following the announcement, writing in the caption: “Well … This will be fun @whitleavitt 👯♀️.”
Fans lit up the comments section with excitement over Ballas’ return. “What did we do to deserve another season with THE Mark Ballas?!? 🙌🏽” one fan asked.
Another noted, “Welcome back to the ballroom, Mark!!!!! WE’VE MISSED YOU.”
“You’re my favorite,” another fan commented. “You guys are gonna win the mirrorball.”
In a Reddit discussion about Ballas’ return to “DWTS,” fans reacted to his reason for competing on the show again. “I LOVE that his son made him realize he wasn’t done,” one person wrote.
Another fan commented, “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.”
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