Houstonian who danced his way into our hearts, recently released his debut album.
by Laurette M. Veres
CLAIM TO FAME: Emmy nominated Mark Ballas has wowed over 20 million viewers on ABC’s number one show, Dancing with the Stars, for nine seasons. He is a two-time champion (Season 6 with Kristi Yamaguchi and Season 8 with Shawn Johnson), and caused a media frenzy when he took performance newcomer Bristol Palin all the way to the finals in Season 11. Mark garnered a 2011 Creative Arts Emmy nomination for Outstanding Choreography for his creative pieces during Season 12 with his partner Disney star Chelsea Kane. This past season, he was partnered with UK opera sensation Katherine Jenkins, making it to the finals again and placing second. When the show first started Mark was apprehensive. “I thought, who the heck is gonna watch this?” Today, he knows he is part of a generation-impacting show. “I think it’s the most epic, fun and entertaining show ever,” he says. “My fans are the reason I do what I do. I love them, appreciate them and I am so grateful for them.”
NEWEST PROJECT: Something many may not know about Mark is that he is also a singer and a guitarist. Mark’s debut solo album HurtLoveBox focuses on the trials and tribulations of life and relationships. The first single Hotwire won MTV’s Freshman Five for 2011 award. Thus far, it has received over 100 million documented views, and appeared on feature reels in over 100,000 retail and business locations worldwide. Mark was named the Clear Channel “Artist To Watch” in July, 2011.
MARK ON HOUSTON: Mark has strong ties to Houston, where he was born and his dad still lives. Mark’s late grandfather, George Ballas, opened the largest dance studio in the world in Houston in the late 1950s, but was best known for inventing the Weed Eater. Each Christmas Eve, Mark performs at his family’s church, Second Baptist Church. “Whenever I’m in H-town, I love to go to the Second Baptist services. Performing at Christmas Eve has been extra special,” says Ballas. You can expect to see him there this year.
