Mark Ballas Jr. is a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars. He was born on May 24, 1986 in Houston, Texas, though he moved when he was very young to London, England. When he was four years old, Ballas was admitted into an associate school of the Italia Conti Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he underwent training in voice performance, acting, and dance. He also owned his first guitar at this young age. At the age of 10, he came out on top as the champion of the British Juvenile Ballroom and Latin American dance competition, and moved on to the US Open.
He also competed and won the gold medal for Latin American dance at an international open, and the Junior Olympics. When he was 11 years old, he earned for himself a full-time slot to the Italia Conti Academy, along with a full college scholarship later on.
Aside from dancing, he has acted onstage in musicals, taking on the role of Tony in Copa Cabana, and also performing in the UK National Tour of The Buddy Holly Musical . He also plays drums and bass, and together with his good friend
Derek Hough , formed the band Almost Amy.
Mark was paired with
Sabrina Bryan in the fifth season of Dancing with the Stars. They received a perfect score in the fourth week, but were eliminated two weeks later. Their elimination shocked many fans, as Sabrina was widely considered to be the most talented celebrity dancer in the fifth season.
In Season 6, Mark Ballas is paired with figure skater
Kristi Yamaguchi. (Photo courtesy of ABC)