Mark Ballas gives his verdict on Maura Higgins joining Dancing with the Stars and his 3-word piece of advice — exclusive

From the castle to the ballroom, Maura Higgins is set to make a splash in the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.

After becoming a nationwide star during her run on season four of The Traitors, which saw her go all the way to the end as the very last Faithful standing (before being blindsided by Rob Rausch), the Irish TV star is set to put on her best dancing shoes.

Maura, 35, was the first celebrity contestant announced to participate in the upcoming 35th season of Dancing with the Stars, joining fellow Faithful and longtime DWTS pro Mark Ballas in the ballroom.

Speaking exclusively with HELLO! at the 79th Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7 in New York City, which he attended with wife BC Jean, Mark, 40, shared what piece of advice he’d given to Maura ahead of her DWTS debut, simply put: “Just enjoy it.”

“I know that sounds so cliche, but it’s really true,” he continued. “When you go on Dancing, it happens so fast, like, you’re learning your first dance, it’s scary. You do the first one, it’s fun, and then the weeks tick along and then all of a sudden you’re in the last final stretch.”

He noted, though, that he has full faith in Maura finding her groove quite early on, given she’s already quite willing to roll with the punches. Or, as they say in his native United Kingdom, “up for it.”

“And what I think is going to be great for Maura is that she’s so outgoing, in the UK we say ‘up for it.’ She’s up for it and that’s half the battle. Be up for it,” Mark continued. “Be ready for it. Trust your pro, have fun and just try your best to take in every second because it really does go by fast.” 

© Getty Images

So far, Savannah Bananas second baseman Jackson Olson and Summer House’s newest breakout star Ciara Miller are the only other contestants who’ve been revealed for the upcoming season.

Mark and Maura both remained on The Traitors for the entirety of the season, making it all the way to the finale. Mark closely aligned himself with Rob and Top Chef host Kristen Kish (who was murdered the episode prior).

© Getty Images

While he did make it all the way to his end, his quieter game eventually caught up with him, and he became the final Faithful to be murdered before the castle’s very last roundtable. But still, he told us that he had a fantastic time and would absolutely be up for returning to the Scottish Highlands if asked back for an All Stars season.

“Yes, yes, absolutely!” he gushed, although this time, he wants to be a Traitor. “Or actually get recruited,” Mark added. “I was so close to getting recruited, but I’d just be happy to be on.”

© Getty Images

A release date for DWTS 35 has not yet been announced, although it will likely premiere in the fall. Meanwhile, Mark will join his mother and Strictly judge Shirley Ballas in the spin-off Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, which premieres on July 13.