Shirley Ballas said she always knew her son, Mark Ballas, was destined to become a professional performer [1, 2].
The revelation comes as the pair reunite on the set of *Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro*, a spinoff series that features 12 up-and-coming professional dancers [3, 4].
Ballas said her early certainty was due to Mark's behavior as a child. She observed his tendency to dress up in various costumes, including a sailor, Spider-Man, and a squirrel [1]. These early antics served as indicators that he possessed a natural inclination toward the stage [1].
For Ballas, the opportunity to work alongside her son on the new series is a "dream come true" [2]. The production allows the family's deep roots in the dance world to converge on screen [3, 4].
Family history suggests a long-standing commitment to the craft. Shirley and Corky Ballas met in the mid-1980s [5], establishing a partnership that preceded Mark's own rise in the dance industry [5].
While the new series focuses on discovering new talent, the presence of established figures like the Ballas family provides a bridge between the industry's history and its future [4].
“"Dream come true."”
The appearance of Shirley and Mark Ballas on a talent-scouting spinoff underscores the hereditary nature of professional dance success. By leveraging established names to mentor new talent, the franchise aims to maintain its prestige while refreshing its roster of professional dancers.
