Shirley Ballas has faced criticism over her scoring after making her guest judging debut on Dancing With the Stars, the US show inspired by Strictly Come Dancing.
Each series of the US programme invites a guest to cast a vote on the judging panel. Former pro and two-time Mirrorball champion Kym Johnson and former host Tom Bergeron have both taken on the role in the past.
Double Duty Across the Atlantic
On Wednesday, October 28, Ballas revealed she would be judging both the UK and US versions of the show over the Halloween weekend. Speaking to Prima in the December 2026 issue, she said: "I have an opportunity this year, judging for the first time on Dancing With the Stars for Halloween."
She added: "So, I'll do Strictly, and then I'll fly over to the US and judge that, then come back again. So, it's double duty this year. That was a job I've always wanted."
Ballas also said: "It's been on my wishlist. I feel that Dancing With the Stars will be a slightly different audience. I think I can probably be more strict. It's going to be very interesting. But I'm 100% not leaving Strictly!"
Low Score for Argentine Tango
During her appearance, Julia Stiles and her pro partner Ezra Sosa performed an Argentine tango homage to The Omen. Ballas awarded the pair a score of 4.
Ballas advised: "First of all, I thought the conversation between the two of you was quite nice. But generally, overall, I didn't find that there was much tracing on the floor." She also found the "gauchos too slow, not fast enough," adding: "I need sharper, controlled legs. Also posturally, it wasn't quite in the right place for Argentine tango for me. But a good start."
Bruno Tonioli praised Stiles as a "mistress of seduction" who danced with "style", while Carrie Ann Inaba said she felt "this one was a little more tense" compared to the last two weeks' dances. She added: "You just didn't seem like you were as free as we have been developing over the last few weeks." Derek Hough said that because "the music felt big", the dance "felt just a little timid, a little careful, a little tiptoeing."
Tonioli awarded Stiles an 8, while Hough and Inaba both gave 7s, and Ballas gave a 4. Viewers will see which stars land in the dance-off and whether Ballas judges as harshly for the Halloween special on home soil this weekend.
