Dancing With The Stars

Mark Ballas wants to be a performer who does it all — and he's definitely on his way. The two-time Dancing With the Stars champion recently gave a great 10-minute video interview to OK! Magazine at Mohegan Sun. Here are some of the highlights:

Sign this guy to a label: Mark talked about how he'd love to score a major record deal and tour with, say, Maroon 5, John Mayer, Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars. "Moves Like Jagger" was playing in the background of the video and he referenced it when talking about the kind of live music show he'd like to put on.

"Take a band like Maroon 5 — imagine you went to see them live and Adam [Levine] could dance, like really,” Mark said. “That's what I want to do."

His favorite Idol singer (is not Pia): The conversation segued into live instruments finding their way onto American Idol. "For me, my favorite person on Idol last season was Casey Abrams," Mark said, for mixing jazz and pop and playing instruments. What about Pia Toscano, his ex who also competed last season? He said they are still friends and talk every now and then. They are both working on records and he's also going to compete on DWTS Season 14 so they’re very busy. Would he work with her? "I'm open to collaborate with anybody. I would love to work with Casey. That, for me, would be a great match because I'm guitar, he's bass. We've actually talked about it."

Other reality TV shows: He's a fan of Idol and The Voice, so would he ever try out for a reality show like that or The X Factor? "I don't know. I've been on Dancing With the Stars, I wouldn't think I could go to another reality area. I love Dancing With the Stars. It's been a blessing and an honor and my fans are amazing — and the show’s fans are amazing. They've been loyal to all us dancers."

Is it random how they pick the DWTS partners? "I think mostly it's done on height. You can't have the girl taller than the guy, you just can't. ... Also I think they take into consideration — 'cause obviously they interview everybody before — they think 'Oh she'd be good with Maks, he'd be good with Karina' they like to maybe measure it temper wise." Mark said all the pros have spoken out, like Maksim Chmerkovskiy infamously did on Season 13, and it's not because they're trying to be a rebel, it's because they're passionate and care about their partners. When the judges rip into the devastated, embarrassed celebs after they've worked so hard "that cuts deep."

Cast this guy on Smash and Broadway: Like Julianne, Mark would love to segue into film — and any other entertainment genre, like Broadway and other TV shows. "I would love it — yeah, a spot on Glee — the new show I like is Smash. Maybe squeeze me somewhere in there." When asked if there's a show on Broadway he would love to do he immediately said "Jersey Boys. I'd love to play Frankie. I think I could do a really good job as Frankie 'cause my voice is high. And I'm pretty good with accents. Even though I'm Greek and Spanish I think I got the Italian thing kind of going on."

Source: OKMagazine.com

For more news about Dancing With the Stars, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter.