Mark Ballas

Texas-born Mark Ballas, Jr. showed a keen interest in dancing when, at a very young age, he and his parents, Corky and Shirley Ballas – two of the biggest names in dance – moved to London, England, where he promptly started setting the stage for his future career. He joined the Italia Conti Academy of Dramatic Arts associate school at age four, where his training in acting, singing and dancing first began. At age 11, he earned a full time spot at the Academy, as well as a full scholarship to the college. Topping things off, in his graduating year (2005) he won performer of the year. Ballas also squeezed in theatre productions, playing the lead in the musical "Copa Cabana," as well as roles in "Maria de Buenos Aires" and "The Buddy Holly Musical" at the London Palladium. Interestingly, Ballas' dancing partner at the time, Julianne Hough – as well as her brother Derek Hough – had both moved from America to England when they were young living with Ballas and his parents, who trained the siblings in all forms of dance. The threesome became close friends and would go on to work together on "Dancing with the Stars" (ABC, 2005- ).

In between that time, Ballas would go on to earn numerous awards of recognition, including British Juvenile Ballroom and Latin American dance champ; U.S. Open to the World, British Open to the World and International Open to the World Junior Latin American Champ; Junior Olympics Gold Medal Winner; and British Open to the World, US Open to the World, International Open to the World Youth Latin American Dance Champion. Ballas danced with three partners prior to coming on the show, including Hough and Daria Zviagina, with whom he won Blackpool with both. He also won International Championships with both Hough and Yulia Mossikhina.

Known for his impressive Latin moves on "Dancing," Ballas really stood out from the pack with fifth season celebrity competitor, "Cheetah Girls" star, Sabrina Bryan. After the couple was surprisingly voted off the program, they went public with their real-life romance. For the sixth season, it was announced Ballas' partner would be Olympic Gold Medal-winning figure skater, Kristi Yamaguchi. Outside of his work on "Dancing," Ballas' biggest passion was his band, Almost Amy. Together with best friend and fellow "Dancing” co-star, Derek Hough, they wrote and performed all their own original music.