“Dancing with the Stars” fans got a surprise treat this week when longtime pro Mark Ballas reunited with his former celebrity partner Whitney Leavitt—and the internet immediately lost its mind.
Ballas, 39, competed with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Leavitt, 32, during season 34 of DWTS. The pair made a strong run, reaching week 10 (the semi-finals) before being shockingly eliminated in ninth place, a result that left many viewers stunned.
That season ultimately crowned Robert Irwin and pro Witney Carson as champions, but Ballas and Leavitt clearly left a lasting impression.
A Dance Reunion Fans Didn’t Know They Needed
On Friday, January 9, Ballas took to Instagram to share a 13-second video of his reunion with Leavitt—and the nostalgia hit hard.
Captioned “Shake Ya Ass & All That Jazz 😏,” the clip shows the former partners dancing together on the street to Mystikal’s 2000 hit “Shake Ya Ass,” featuring Pharrell Williams. The moment was short, playful, and instantly recognizable to DWTS fans.
The dance callback comes straight from week three of season 34, during TikTok Night, when the duo performed a samba to the same song. That routine earned them a solid 24 out of 30, with Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli each awarding an 8.
Fans (and Hulu) React
The comments section quickly filled with excitement.
Even Hulu’s official account chimed in, writing, “Been waiting for this reunion.”
Fans echoed the enthusiasm:
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“MY FAVORITE SHOW IS ON!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥”
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“This dance and song live rent free in my brain every day.”
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“The way I miss you two dancing together!!”
One follower even joked about wishing they’d been walking by when the dance happened.
What’s Next for Ballas and Leavitt?
Ballas is currently competing on season four of The Traitors, playing as a Faithful. So far, he’s survived the first three episodes, as fellow contestants—including Ian Terry, Porsha Williams, Rob Cesternino, and Donna Kelce—have already been murdered or banished.
Meanwhile, Leavitt is gearing up for a major stage moment of her own. She’s set to star as Roxie Hart in a production of “Chicago” at Broadway’s Ambassador Theatre later this year.
Seeing Ballas and Leavitt back together—even briefly—was a joy for fans who loved their chemistry on the dance floor. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time these two cross paths again. 💃✨
