Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas are teasing a special surprise ahead of Dancing with the Stars season 35.
The pair want their Traitors co-star Rob Rausch to join them on the dance floor. Ballas revealed that Rausch plans to attend the show’s opening week.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Higgins and Ballas discussed their plans for the reality star.
Ballas joked that Rausch “owes” them and should take part in their dance. Higgins then hinted that they are working on a way to make the idea happen.
“We’re cooking up something,” Higgins said, suggesting fans could see Rausch join them during the season.
The trio previously appeared together on The Traitors. Higgins recalled that she and Rausch never voted against each other during the competition.
Ballas also remembered Higgins talking about her desire to compete on Dancing with the Stars. She told him that she wanted to learn ballroom dancing and perform in glamorous costumes.
The dancer initially questioned whether Higgins could handle the demanding rehearsal schedule. He recalled joking about her endurance during their time on The Traitors.
Higgins, however, made her priorities clear. She wanted the chance to dance in the ballroom rather than take part in exhausting physical challenges.
Dancing with the Stars season 35 will begin with a two-night premiere on September 15 and 16, 2026. The new season will air on ABC and stream on Disney+.
With Higgins and Ballas already planning a possible surprise, fans may have another reason to tune in when the new season begins.