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Mark Ballas has divulged the tumultuous, three-day making of his memorable ‘Dancing With The Stars’ finale freestyle with partner Whitly Leavitt. The pro dancer and choreographer in an extensive social media post credited a great team for the realization of his idea which had been delayed for long until the very last moment when the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast and ABC gave the last-minute chance.
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To tell the truth, turning out a full-scale, narrative-driven dance production in less than 72 hours looks like a plot of a heist movie. But it was just another week for Mark Ballas. The plan was already formed, with mood boards and music arrangement taking two weeks. Then the call came. The first person he called was the executive producer, Ashley Edens. His inquiry was direct: “Is it impossible to do & are we totally crazy to attempt to execute this in this short time?”
Her answer? “YES it’s completely crazy… let’s do it!”
Following this, Ballas narrates that the machine was set into overdrive. Everything, choreography, location, lighting, cameras, dancers, hair, makeup, the whole circus—had to be created from scratch. He credited the podcast host Alexandra Cooper for making the interview segment feel at ease, and the whole ‘Dancing With The Stars’ higher-ups for investing in the insane plan. But the most important part of the post was about his partner, Whitly Leavitt. “It’s funny that you were in ‘reality show’ at first,” he noted, “but I got to really see & know you.”
The gratitude was directed at his wife, singer BC Jean, for tolerating his artistic process, and a small army of collaborators he mentioned in a comment later. Directors, producers, a last-minute group of eight dancers located in two hours, even the wardrobe department he raided. It was a masterclass in orderly chaos.
The reaction from his colleagues was instant and awe-struck. Professional dancer Ezra Sosa commented, “this freestyle what it represents how it happened will permanently occupy my mind for a long time!” Many others went along with this view, considering both the finale dance to be historic.
Actor Taylor Lautner’s remark was partly complimentary and partly humorous at the same time: “If I possessed your intellect I would certainly be boastful about it.” The comment sparked a funny thread, one of the users even humorously suggesting that this was precisely the reason why divine forces did not endow him with that particular intellect.
Amid the comments, probably the most touching one came from Corky Ballas, whose father. Corky Ballas wrote a moving comment that linked Mark’s remarkable charm to “the Ninja Turtle Days.” He expressed, “You have always been in a different energy and frequency, the vibrations have always been powerful.” The fans were quick to come in, thanking Corky and Shirley Ballas for bringing such a talented person.
Others were already thinking of the future. One user, kbrink_, merely exclaimed, “GIVE THIS AN EMMY NOW.” This set off a mini-discussion in the replies about the eligibility issue, with one person passionately arguing that ABC should showcase the piece during the Super Bowl to be classified, citing its powerful message against online bullying as the reason.
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What is notably expressed between the acknowledgements and the technical credits is the sheer unlikeliness of it all. A fully-formed piece of art, created in secrecy and executed in a breathless sprint. Ballas not only presented a dance but also proclaimed that with the right team and a ‘totally nuts’ strategy, even the most difficult times can produce something unforgettable. The freestyle was not just a performance for the finale, but a festival of indomitable cooperation and a moment that redefined, for some, the boundaries of that well-known ballroom floor. The event also brought to mind the musical project Alexander Jean. Mark also recently shared a heartfelt tribute to his son. Furthermore, the show’s success is built on great performances like Elaine Hendrix’s stunning foxtrot. Off the dance floor, Mark brings his dance moves to the grill in a fun sponsored video.