Ballroom Queen to Judge DWTS Horror Night!

Ballroom dancing legend Shirley Ballas is slated to appear as a guest judge for the upcoming Horror Movie Night episode of Dancing With the Stars, airing on October 27, 2026. This exciting announcement was made on October 23, 2026, via the show's Instagram. Ballas brings a wealth of experience to the ballroom, having been a former world champion in Latin American dance and currently serving as the head judge on Strictly Come Dancing, the British series that inspired DWTS.

Ballas's connection to Dancing With the Stars runs deeper, as she is the mother of professional dancer Mark Ballas, who has been a staple on the show since 2007. Shirley and her ex-husband, Corky Ballas, raised Mark, who also has an impressive competitive dance background. Earlier in 2026, Shirley and Mark shared the judging panel for Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, further cementing their shared presence in the DWTS universe.