As a long-time follower of “Dancing With the Stars,” I can confidently say that the recent performance by Mark Ballas and Derek Hough was a game-changer. Not only did it push boundaries by showcasing two men dancing together for the first time in the show’s history, but it also served as an educational moment, reminding us all that gender roles can be fluid in dance.
In simple terms, The 2024 TV lineup presented the thrilling 33rd season of “Dancing With the Stars” along with the latest recipients of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. However, the three-hour grand finale not only declared Jenna Johnson and “Bachelor” alum Joey Graziadei as the winners, but it also showcased special acts, such as a performance from former pro Mark Ballas and current judge Derek Hough. During this act, they shared about its significance and the impact of having two men dance together on stage.
In Season 30 of “Dancing With the Stars,” JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson made history as the show’s first same-sex couple. However, it wasn’t until Season 33 that two men took to the ballroom floor together for the first time. As reported by Deadline, this innovation stemmed from the fact that Valentin Chmerkovskiy had partnered with Julianne Hough for some routines while helping her prepare for her live tour. When Hough’s wife, Hayley Erbert, shared these performances on social media, they gained popularity, prompting the judges to propose a same-sex Argentine tango for the season finale to the show’s producers.
In regards to this hopefully not being a one-time thing, Hough told the outlet:
We aimed to subtly introduce the concept of two male dancers performing together on Dancing with the Stars as a trial run, if you catch my drift. Essentially, it served as a kind of prelude and hinted at potential collaborations in the future within the show.
Given that Dancing With the Stars has already featured a same-sex pair and continues to break boundaries with performances like Ballas and Hough’s, it won’t be long before we likely see another same-sex couple in the competition. As the former pro put it, many of us are hoping this spectacular performance was a prelude to more same-sex couples on the show.
In essence, it’s still surprising that we’ve waited so long for male dance partners, a sentiment shared by Hough, who expressed his thoughts on the matter.
In a remarkable turn of events, this particular act has never been performed during the course of the 33 seasons that have passed. When we considered it, it seemed fitting and timely – almost as if it was meant to be.
It wasn’t just that two men danced together on “Dancing With the Stars” for the first time, but fans also discovered an interesting fact – the Argentine tango started as a dance between working-class men in South America during the 19th Century. Since typically the man leads in dances, these popular performers alternated their roles as leaders, as Hough clarified.
In many cases, it’s claimed that men are the leaders while women follow. However, when dancing, roles can frequently change, regardless of one’s gender. So, even though both of us are males, we found ourselves switching between leading and following quite a bit during our dance together.
On Dancing With the Stars, the Argentine Tango is often performed, yet this particular dance stood out noticeably and left a significant impression.
In simpler terms, Mark Ballas from seasons 5 through 31 felt that their performance stood out more because they emphasized footwork and authenticity rather than fancy tricks like being tossed in the air or spinning rapidly. He suggested that making it sleek, swift, and focused on power and speed would have a greater impact compared to those elements.
Based on how viral the routine has gone (as you can see below), I think he was right.
Currently, no end date has been set for “Dancing With the Stars,” and it’s slated to return on television schedules in 2025, though it may air later in the year during fall. It remains unclear if plans are underway for another same-sex couple appearance, but Hough hinted at potential interest from friends due to his dance with Ballas.
It’s funny. I actually have a few friends who have been approached to be on the show and they’ve actually said, ‘well, I don’t want to do it until I can dance with another guy. We wanted to be able to introduce this concept in a way that if there’s anybody out there who might feel a certain way about it, we’re like, ‘hey, check this out.’ I think that it opens up a lot of opportunities and doors for the show to have that.
Regardless of what unfolds in Season 34 of DWTS, it promises to keep us engaged. Here’s hoping this season won’t be the end of Ballas and Hough sharing the dance floor, as their friendship spans long years and they make a fantastic duo on screen.
In summary, this dance act has undoubtedly created new opportunities, and it’s thrilling to imagine what the future may hold for “Dancing with the Stars.” Here’s to hoping we witness similar duos on stage soon!
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2024-12-20 23:07