Inside Dance Goes Backstage With Shirley Ballas On “Dancing With the Stars, The Next Pro”

For everyone who’s been craving a summertime Dancing with the Stars series like we have, get ready for “The Next Pro.” For the first time in history, the best dancers will compete for a spot as the next professional in this new addition to the DWTS hit series franchise. 

In on our ongoing coverage, we checked in with judge Shirley Ballas after episode 2 to get a behind-the-scenes look. See that interview below!

New episodes of DWTS: The Next Pro air Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Shirley Ballas is a champion ballroom dancer, world-renowned dance teacher and adjudicator, bestselling author, and the head judge of BBC1’s flagship show Strictly Come Dancing. Originally from Wallasey, Ballas has been dancing since age 7. She is three-time British Open to the World Latin American champion, 10-time United States Latin American champion, and multiple-time British National champion.

Ballas’ sensational biography “Behind The Sequins” was released in 2020 to critical acclaim, immediately becoming an Amazon bestseller. Following the success of the book, she secured a two-book deal with HarperCollins to publish “The Sequin Mysteries,” a duo of cozy-crime novels that waltz through the glittering and highly competitive world of ballroom dance. Both “Murder on the Dance Floor” and “Dance to the Death” proved to be immediate hits and once again topped the Amazon charts. Last year Ballas released “Best Foot Forward” — a sparkling toolkit for living one’s best life, with new stories from her life on and off the dance floor.

We asked Shirley for her take on “The Next Pro,” what she believes the dancers learned most, who stood out as the show progressed, and why dance continues to be a universal language.

How did you see the dancers grow professionally, and personally, during their time on the show? Do you think they left with a new respect for the current DWTS pros and process? 

Firstly, all twelve of our dancers arrived to the competition with extraordinary dance ability. They all knew how to move their bodies to music. However, they quickly learned that ability is not the only thing a Pro on Dancing with the Stars needs. It’s not until you’re there do you truly understand the hard work and sacrifice it takes to be a Pro on a show like DWTS.

Our dancers learned how to teach and how to choreograph to the strengths of not only themselves but of  another person. They learned how to communicate with others and produce high quality work under extreme pressure. A Pro must read the room and be able to pivot at any given moment; not every idea or method will work once you’re in  the rehearsal studio. So yes, “The Next Pro” was a tough process and most definitely taught the dancers a thing or two about being a Pro.  

One thing that really resonated with me was when the judges mentioned not only do these dancers need to be able to perform and withstand the pressure, but they also need to be able to teach their celebs. What qualities best define an effective dance teacher? 

Well for me, first and foremost knowledge is power. The fundamentals are the foundations to success. Then, there’s the skill of communication. You can be the most talented and gifted dancer in the world, but if you cannot relay your knowledge to the complete beginner then you cannot be a Pro on DWTS. You also must be selfless, approachable and empathetic as a dancer teacher. The role of the Pro is not solely about the Pro; it’s about showcasing the celebrity and being there every step of the way for them. 

Who was the biggest or best surprise to you on “The Next Pro” and why?

All twelve of the dancers were excellent in their own ways. They all brought something unique to the show. For me, Selena was a complete breath of fresh air. She was truly authentic to herself, knew exactly how to perform and she brought a great energy to the ballroom.

Adele is one of the top dancers in the world right now, so for me, she brought quality of movement and extraordinary technique but needed to learn how to open up to the camera. I’ll never forget Allen and Adele’s Rumba in memory of Allen’s mother. The storytelling was simply beautiful, and it touched me in so many ways.

Mark told me you two were about 60/40 agree to disagree while judging. Tell us more about the fun you two have working together!

We had an absolute blast working together. It was a dream come true and one I’d been manifesting for as long as I can remember. Mark is a true professional in all he does and has an excellent eye for the art of Ballroom and Latin. So yes, we agreed but not always! There were a few mother-son debates as we both judge from slightly different perspectives and we know exactly how to wind each other up!

Mark’s a little more empathetic than I am. I’m approaching my tenth season as Head Judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, whereas Mark’s been a Pro on DWTS for 20 seasons. So we both have different perspectives of the show. We also lived together as a family while filming and that was just beautiful. I got to look after my grandson, Banksi, which made the whole experience just that extra special. 

You’ve had such an elite and incredibly inspirational career… Why do you believe we all need dance in our lives, and what continues to drive you to seek new projects and challenges in your own career? 

Dance in its purest form is movement to music and there’s nothing like getting up and moving your body to music. Dance allows us to connect with ourselves and I feel it’s one of the powerful communication tools we as humans have. We don’t need to speak a language or look a certain way, we just need to be willing to move. Dance allows us to connect with ourselves and others in ways that words often cannot. And I think it’s beautiful that dance and shows like DWTS  brings people together. Families, all the way from the youngest member to the oldest, sit down together to watch something they can all enjoy.  

I think my drive comes from my upbringing. I was raised by a single mother on a  housing estate in Leasow, Wallasey in the United Kingdom and my mother still  lives with me to this day. I remind myself constantly that tomorrow is not promised to anyone so seek out any opportunities that come your way. And a good work ethic will get you further than just talent alone. My mother taught me work ethic from the time I was a young girl. She’d say “nothing in life is for free, Shirley” so  remember to work hard. It’s lessons like that that keep me grounded and make me who I am.

See our conversation with Mark Ballas, which took place just ahead of the premiere right here!

This Week: July 27: “You’re Only as Strong as Your Weakest Link: Group Work with Britt Stewart”

Next Up: August 3: “Bring on the Intensity: Chemistry with Jenna Johnson”