‘Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro’ Judge Shirley Ballas Tipped for New ‘DWTS’ Role, Could Mean Change for Mark Ballas Too

Three-time Dancing with the Stars Mirrorball Champion Mark Ballas and his mother, renowned ballroom expert and head judge on the British series Strictly Come Dancing, Shirley Ballas, are the judges for the new dance competition Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.

A PR expert believes that Shirley’s appearance on DWTS: The Next Pro could lead to a new role for her within the Dancing With The Stars franchise. And a mother-son trade-off would be a win-win for both hit dance shows.

Kayley Cornelius is a celebrity PR specialist and brand strategist who offers commentary and analysis on celebrity branding, influencers, and reality TV stars.

Speaking on behalf of online bingo caller tool Slingo, she told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, “Shirley Ballas is already one of the most loved and respected figures in British television, so she arguably has very little left to gain from staying within the same space. If expanding her career is the goal, then chasing success with Dancing With the Stars could be the perfect next move.”

Cornelius explained, “Her feature on Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro feels like producers testing the waters to see how well she connects with U.S. audiences and whether there’s demand for a bigger role down the line … If Shirley were to spend more time in America, Strictly could have the perfect trade-off waiting in the wings. Her son, Mark Ballas, would be an exciting addition as either a judge or professional dancer.

“He already has a huge Dancing With The Stars pedigree and could bring some of that magic to the Strictly ballroom while attracting new viewers. For fans, Mark could also provide a familiar link to Shirley if she did decide to leave, helping keep the Ballas legacy alive on the show while introducing a fresh new dynamic.”