From 'Traitors' Suspicion to Dwts Trust: Inside Mark Ballas and Maura Higgins’ Bond
By James H. Sterling
During their second week of intensive preparation for a high-tempo jive, a miscalculated rotational lift went sideways. Higgins's elbow struck Ballas directly across the mouth, visibly chipping his upper incisor. In typical training environments, dental trauma halts production, sparks studio arguments, or triggers intense anxiety for the amateur partner.
Ballas didn't flinch. He inspected the damage in the studio mirror, wiped away the blood, made a dry joke to relieve the room's mounting tension, and immediately resumed teaching. That response changed Higgins's perspective completely. She had spent months surrounded by individuals who amplified drama for camera time; seeing a seasoned veteran handle a real injury with absolute calm gave her permission to drop her guard. Her anxiety about making technical mistakes vanished because Ballas prioritized her comfort over the rehearsal mishap.
James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.
