Former Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Mark Ballas was recently a guest on the Lightweight Podcast with Joe Vulpis, where he talked about his recent experience as a guest judge on the show. Ballas said he took the gig “very seriously.”
Mark Ballas Talks Judging Dancing with the Stars
Ballas said he “enjoyed the process” of guest-judging on Dedication Night earlier this season, adding that it was “just as intense” as dancing as a pro, but “in a different way.” He shared that to prepare for judging, he went back and watched Seasons 31, 32, and what had aired so far of 33.
While watching, he would score the dances before he knew what scores he judges gave. He even scored his own dances with Charli D’Amelio in Season 31. Ballas said he took the responsibility of judging “very seriously,” adding that it’s “not about you” when you’re judging.
He also shared how his experience competing on the show influenced his approach to judging. Ballas said he would receive feedback from the judges on a specific dance that couldn’t necessarily be applied to future routines.
“So for me it was like, how can I give constructive criticism or feedback or some tips that you can take moving forward?” Ballas explained. “Because there are a lot of technical aspects, performative aspects that apply to all five ballroom dances and all five Latin dances.”
During the interview, Vulpis shared a question from a fan asking if Ballas would ever consider joining Dancing with the Stars as a permanent judge, rather than just a guest judge. Ballas responded, “I would consider it, yes.”
Vulpis shared that fans responded very positively to Ballas guest-judging the show, as they praised his constructive criticism for the couples and how he made things “easy to follow for the audience.”
What do you think? Would you like the see Ballas join the show as a permanent judge alongside Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli? Let us know in the comments below.
Words by:
Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
