Shirley Ballas has spent decades shaping the world of competitive dance, but even after a career filled with championships, teaching and judging, there was one moment she still wanted: dancing with her famous son, Mark Ballas. The 65-year-old dance legend finally got that chance on Dancing With the Stars, calling the experience a “bucket list” moment. For longtime fans of the show, the moment was even more special given Shirley’s own connection to DWTS: She helped train Mark as well as Derek and Julianne Hough, meaning her influence can be seen throughout the franchise.
Shirley recently shared behind-the-scenes footage of her bucket-list moment alongside her son, giving fans a glimpse of the mother-son duo as they took to the dance floor together. One fan commented, “An actual dream to see you two dance together,” while another gushed, “Still got it Mama Ballas.” Another added, “Shirley, I could watch you all day.”
Shirley Ballas Was a Dance Champion Before She Became a TV Star
View this post on InstagramThe British-born dancer has been dancing since she was 7 years old. Years before she became a familiar face on television, she was one of the most accomplished Latin dancers in the world. She became a three-time British Open to the World Latin American champion, a 10-time U.S. Latin American champion and a multiple-time British National champion.
After retiring from competitive dancing in 1996, Ballas turned her attention to teaching and judging, becoming one of the most respected coaches in ballroom and Latin dance. Her influence on the dance world would eventually extend far beyond competitive ballroom.
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Shirley Ballas Helped Train Some of DWTS Biggest Stars
@shirleyballasIf you can’t beat them, join them ???? @Dancing with the Stars DWTS @Mark Ballas @Derek Hough #dancingwiththestars #strictly #shirleyballas #markballas
♬ Funny – Gold-TigerBallas didn’t just train her famous son. She also coached Derek and Julianne Hough, both of whom would go on to become two of the biggest names in the Dancing With the Stars franchise.
The Hough siblings even lived with Shirley and her then-husband, Corky Ballas, in London while they trained and attended the Italia Conti Academy.
In addition to coaching Mark, Derek and Julianne, Shirley also worked with Pasha Pashkov, Val Chmerkovskiy and other dancers who went on to become fan favorites on Dancing With the Stars.
Her influence on the franchise is hard to miss. She helped train dancers who would go on to compete, win Mirrorball Trophies and become some of the show’s most recognizable stars.
Shirley Ballas Became a Strictly Come Dancing Favorite
@shirleyballasNOTHING comes between me and my tiny shoes @BBC Strictly ✨ #shirleyballas #strictly #strictlycomedancing
♬ Sneaky Snitch – Kevin MacLeodIn addition to becoming a highly respected ballroom dance coach, Shirley Ballas also became one of the most recognizable judges in television dance competitions.
She became head judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, the British series that inspired Dancing With the Stars. She has remained one of the show’s best-known personalities, bringing decades of competitive dance experience to the judging panel.
That career has given Ballas a unique perspective on the world of televised ballroom dancing. She has watched dancers she helped train grow into stars, while her own son became one of the most successful professionals in Dancing With the Stars history.
Shirley and Mark Finally Got Their Moment Together
Despite all her success on and off the dance floor, Shirley Ballas still had one dream she hadn’t checked off her list: dancing with Mark on either Strictly Come Dancing or Dancing With the Stars.
That wish finally came true.
The mother and son first shared the screen this summer on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, where they appeared together as judges. Now, they have taken things a step further on Dancing With the Stars, sharing a dance that Shirley has described as a bucket-list moment.
Seeing the pair dance together, it’s easy to see where Mark got his famous footwork and energetic style. But the moment also serves as a reminder that Shirley Ballas was a dance star in her own right long before she became known as Mark Ballas’ mother.
After decades spent competing, coaching and judging, she is still finding new ways to make her mark on the dance world. And this time, she got to share the dance floor with the son she helped train.
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