Mark Ballas Discusses Height Challenges in Potential Dancing With the Stars Pairing with Kristen Kish
Professional dancer Mark Ballas discussed fan theories about partnering with Traitors co-star Kristen Kish on Dancing With the Stars during an interview. He cited her height as a barrier but suggested she join the show with a suitable partner. Ballas also praised another co-star who later joined the program's season 35.
bleedingcool.comMark Ballas, a professional dancer, addressed fan theories about partnering with his Traitors co-star Kristen Kish on Dancing With the Stars, stating that her height makes it impractical. ' He noted Kish, who is 42 years old and 5ft 9in tall, is 'tall and she’s long,' adding that a pairing 'would be funny' despite his own height of 5ft 6in.
Post by @Independent on X
Ballas emphasized that Kish should still participate in the show.
'But she’s a hair too tall for me. But she should do the show! We have guys who are the appropriate height,' he said. @Independent reported these details from the interview, where Ballas reflected on his time on The Traitors season four.
During filming of The Traitors, Ballas and Kish formed an instant connection. 'We connected on day one in the castle,' Ballas said. He described them as 'kind of cut from the same cloth,' explaining, 'For us, on our shows, our thing is what talks.
Like her cooking, my dancing. The thing is what does the talking. ' In the early episodes, Ballas and Kish frequently checked on each other amid the show's challenges. 'We would like always look for each other in the room.
We'd be like, how you doing? ' Ballas recounted. The Traitors season four features 23 personalities divided into groups labeled Faithful and Traitors, competing in challenges for a cash prize of up to $250,000.
Ballas also highlighted another Traitors castmate as a potential fit for Dancing With the Stars. 'I love Maura [Higgins] so much. She is hilarious. She’d be great on Dancing With the Stars,' he said of the Irish TV personality.
Days after Ballas spoke to The Independent, Maura Higgins was announced as one of the first cast members of Dancing With the Stars season 35. Separately, Ballas is currently starring as Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway opposite Whitney Leavitt. Leavitt is Ballas's most recent Dancing With the Stars partner and appears in Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
Their joint Broadway run in Chicago continues through May 3.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-04-23
Current date; Mark Ballas's Broadway run in Chicago with Whitney Leavitt continues through May 3.
1 source@Independent - Days before 2026-04-23
Maura Higgins announced as one of the first cast members of Dancing With the Stars season 35, following Mark Ballas's interview with The Independent.
1 source@Independent - Recent weeks
Mark Ballas sat down with The Independent to discuss his Broadway return and reflect on The Traitors.
1 source@Independent - During filming of The Traitors season four
Mark Ballas and Kristen Kish formed an instant connection on day one in the castle and checked in on each other during early episodes.
1 source@Independent - Ongoing
The Traitors season four features 23 personalities competing for up to $250,000.
1 source@Independent
Potential Impact
- 01
Boost in visibility for Maura Higgins following her announcement for DWTS season 35.
- 02
Potential increase in crossover interest between The Traitors and Dancing With the Stars audiences.
- 03
Continued fan discussions on social media about celebrity pairings in reality shows.
- 04
Extended run of Chicago on Broadway drawing audiences due to Ballas and Leavitt's involvement.
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