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Dancing With the Stars' Mark Ballas Calls Out BFF Derek Hough for Being "Messy House Guest"
Mother knows best.
At least that's what Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro's Shirley Ballas was trying to convey to son Mark Ballas during a tense exchange on the ABC reality competition series' Aug. 10 episode.
The mother-son duo butted heads while critiquing the remaining hopefuls after guest judge Daniella Karagach challenged the couples to choreograph dances featuring a "wow" moment like her season 34 "walking on air" stunt with partner Dylan Efron.
When it came time for partners Selena Hamilton and Erik Linder to face the judges after their contemporary routine, which featured a "moment of stillness" as their "wow" moment, Shirley and Mark were fiercely divided over the performance.
As Shirley told the duo, "Okay, I’m conflicted. Tell me, what was your 'wow' move?"
Selena attempted to explain that "sometimes the 'wow' is in the silence," but the 65-year-old wasn't buying it.
"In my experience," Shirley replied, "a silent moment doesn’t mean to just stand still."
Disagreeing with his mom, Mark interjected with, "Well, it’s also open to interpretation."
Shirley immediately fired back with, "Can I finish my notes, please?"
Shirley's scolding was followed by their own moment of silence as everyone in the room appeared shocked by the awkward exchange.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Shirley ultimately broke the tension by adding, "Thank you, Mark. We’re not at home now, we’re in a professional arena."
Getting back on track following the spat, Shirley explained she wished Erik would have "let yourself go even more than you did."
Similarly, she advised Selena, "I’d said to Mark, 'I think she might give Dani a run for her money,' and that didn’t quite happen for me, unfortunately. That doesn’t mean it’s not great dancing. I appreciate the quality, but as the contemporary dancer, I expected a little bit more from you."
Disney/Vince Valitutti
And after initially disagreeing with his mother, Mark eventually saw her point of view.
"The brief was create a 'wow' moment, right?" the 40-year-old told Erik and Selena. "I need a little bit more."
See the competition continue when Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC and streams on Hulu.
In the meantime, keep reading to meet the incredible talents vying for a coveted spot on season 35 of DWTS.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Erik Linder
When the Swedish-born performer isn't busting a move in the dance studio, he's catching waves surfing in Los Angeles where he currently resides.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Natalie Jolley
Awards and titles? This pro's got plenty. Natalie is a proud eight-time U.S. national dance champion, a six-time U.K. champion, a four-time international champion and has won the World Smooth Championships four times.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Selena Hamilton
Selena has appeared alongside KATSEYE in GAP's iconic choreography-focused 2025 ad campaign and has also toured as a backup dancer for Doechii.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Tristen Sanders
The Georgia native specializes in hip hop in addition to ballroom.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Stephani Sosa
If this Latin powerhouse looks familiar, it's because her brother is none other than DWTS pro Ezra Sosa.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Briar Nolet
The Los Angeles-based dancer and model has found quite the social media fandom with over 800,000 Instagram users following her every footstep in the dance studio.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
AJ Pritchard
This Brit knows how to work it for the TV cameras. The older brother of Love Island alum Curtis Pritchard made it to the semi-finals on season seven of Britain's Got Talent before spending four seasons as a pro on Strictly Come Dancing. So, he’s no stranger to being judged by The Next Pro’s Shirley Ballas.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Adele Zaikman
This Israeli Ukrainian athlete currently resides in Los Angeles where she works as a performer and dance teacher.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Allen Genkin
Based in San Jose, Calif., he’s graced the DWTS dance floor before, winning the show's "Ballroom Battle" challenge in 2012.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Nina Mayster
Nina owns and runs her own Pennsylvania dance studio.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Benji Castro
This Miami artist made it to the top seven competing on So You Think You Can Dance? season 16.
Disney/Maarten De Boer
Jake Monreal
Another member in the DWTS extended family, he competed on Dancing With the Stars Juniors in 2018 before appearing on season 13 of So You Think You Can Dance?, where he placed seventh.
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