Mark Ballas brought two decades of professional ballroom experience to Dancing with the Stars, appearing as a pro dancer across 20 seasons. After capturing his most recent Mirrorball Trophy with celebrity partner Charli D’Amelio, Ballas used the stage at the live Dancing with the Stars tour in Las Vegas to announce that he is stepping away from the competition series.
The three-time Mirrorball champion addressed the crowd on March 12 at the tour stop in Las Vegas, reflecting on his career and explaining his decision. “I’ve done 20 seasons now,” Ballas told fans, recalling that he started his journey with the show when he was just 21 or 22. He thanked the audience for their support over the years and acknowledged the role the fans have played in his career.
Surrounded by family — including his mother, father, his wife, and his in-laws — Ballas delivered the news that this would be his final appearance dancing in the Dancing with the Stars format. “I just want to finish this by saying that this will be the last time you see me dance in this capacity. I’m coming to a close tonight. This is going to be my last dance,” he announced, marking the end of a significant chapter in his professional life.
Ballas concluded his DWTS run on a high note, winning season 31 alongside Charli D’Amelio. Charli stood with him as he made the announcement, and Ballas publicly expressed his gratitude to the young star and her family. “Charli means the world to me,” he said. “D’Amelio family, you guys mean the world to me. Thank you for everything.”
Ballas’s DWTS legacy includes three Mirrorball championships: his most recent victory with Charli D’Amelio, as well as earlier wins with Kristi Yamaguchi in season six and Shawn Johnson in season eight. Over those seasons he became one of the show’s most recognizable pros, known for technical skill, choreography, and his onstage partnership with celebrity competitors.
“Thank you guys for a lifetime of memories”
Even as he closed this chapter, Ballas made clear that he is not retiring from dance entirely. “Thank you guys for a lifetime of memories,” he told the crowd. “I appreciate it. I’m not saying this is the end. This is just the last time I’ll be dancing with a partner.” His words signaled a shift away from the rigors of television competition while leaving the door open for other creative pursuits and performances.
Shortly after his announcement, Dancing with the Stars tour host Emma Slater brought out the entire DWTS Live cast to join Ballas on stage in celebration. “Mark, we love you so much,” she said, as the cast rallied around him. Slater praised Ballas’s influence on the series and noted that Dancing with the Stars would not have been the same without his contributions.
Fans and colleagues have consistently lauded Ballas for his professionalism, showmanship, and mentorship of fellow dancers and celebrity partners. Over 20 seasons, he has helped shape routines that combined technical ballroom foundation with theatrical flair, contributing memorable performances that resonated with viewers and judges alike.
As Ballas steps back from competing on Dancing with the Stars, his announcement highlights the natural evolution of a long-running career in dance. While the show provided a platform for his public profile and championship wins, Ballas’s comment that he is not hanging up his dancing shoes suggests he will continue to perform, teach, choreograph, or pursue other artistic opportunities. For fans of Mark Ballas and Dancing with the Stars, the moment marked both an emotional farewell to a beloved pro on the competition stage and the start of whatever creative next steps he chooses to take.
Regardless of where his career heads next, Ballas leaves behind a significant DWTS legacy: three Mirrorball trophies, two decades of seasons, countless live performances, and a strong connection with the fans who filled theaters and tuned in to watch him dance. His final announcement on the Las Vegas tour stop was both a celebration of those achievements and a sincere thank-you to the people who supported him through every step.