Derek HoughandMark Ballasdidnt set out to be change agents forDancing with the Stars.
Hough and Ballas hope it wont be a one-off for ABCs long-running variety show.
Everything changed in season 30, when Jojo Siwa partnered with Jenna Johnson as the shows first-same sex partnership.
DANCING WITH THE STARS - ÒFinaleÓ - Once again, the finale episode will have five couples competing for a chance at winning the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The finalists will each perform a redemption dance assigned by our judges, plus an unforgettable freestyle routine. TUESDAY, NOV. 26 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) MARK BALLAS, DEREK HOUGH
The duo came in second.
Hough also has six mirror ball trophies; Ballas has three.
And we were like, you know what?
Mark Ballas, Derek HoughDisney/Eric McCandless
It feels like one, its the right time.
Hough and Ballas took turns leading in the dance.
People often say the man is the leader and the female is the follower, Hough tells Deadline.
The truth is when youre dancing, youre constantly switching between leader and follower no matter what gender.
It doesnt really matter.
Even in this dance, with us being two males, we switched often.
It was enough just to avoid hurting one another with those constant leg locks.
Thats what I love so much about this style of dance.
It also makes for accidents, adds Hough.
Its painful, so its important the timing is right and youre both on the same page.
Ballas has one from 2011.
The ultimate prize, however, would be to evoke change onDWTS.
I think that it opens up a lot of opportunities and doors for the show to have that.
