Derek Hough and Mark Ballas served as judges during the premiere of "DWTS: The Next Pro" [1].
The appearance of the two professional dancers marks a shift in the franchise's judging dynamics. By bringing in childhood friends with distinct perspectives, the show aims to provide a more varied critique for the contestants.
Ballas and Hough have a long history together that extends beyond the ballroom. During the premiere, they leaned into this familiarity while evaluating the performances of the professional dancers competing for a spot on the main show. Their differing approaches to critique created a tension that Ballas said was playful.
Ballas said to Entertainment Weekly that the experience involved "kicking each other under the table the whole time" [1]. This dynamic suggests a rapport that allows for candid disagreement without compromising their personal friendship.
Hough said the necessity of delivering tough love to the contestants ensures the quality of the competition. Because the participants are fellow professionals, the standard for technical execution, and artistry is higher than in the standard celebrity version of the program.
The chemistry between the two judges provides a narrative layer to the competition. While they may disagree on specific scores or technical flaws, their shared history ensures a level of mutual respect that informs their feedback.
“kicking each other under the table the whole time”
The inclusion of Hough and Ballas as a judging duo leverages their real-life friendship to create entertainment value through contrasting opinions. This strategy allows the production to maintain high technical standards for the professional contestants while keeping the tone light through the judges' interpersonal banter.
