NEWSRed Carpet Confidential: ‘DWTS’ Star Mark Ballas Chooses Michael Phelps Over Ryan Lochte
Aug. 10 2012, Published 10:38 a.m. ET
Now that gymnastics, running, swimming and more have gotten their time in the spotlight at the London Olympics, Dancing With the Stars hunk Mark Ballas thinks it’s high time dancing gets its due in the games held every four years.
“I think it would be a great Olympic sport, just because we’re athletes,” the hoofer, 26, tells me this week while promoting his gig performing at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana's Summer With The Stars event taking place now through Aug. 16.
“With what we do, we have to train hard, but the technicality is it’s extremely difficult, it’s amazing to watch. It’s like any pair sport — you have synchronized diving and all that kind of stuff. The one thing that would be difficult is making sure the judging was fair.”
Of course, U.S. swimming heroes Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte would be a coup for a future stint on Dancing With the Stars. In fact, they’ve both expressed interest.
Who would he prefer?
“They’re both amazing. Lochte’s amazing, but I think Phelps is the most decorated. He’s a legend right now in the Olympics, so I think he would be great.”
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Long before Mark could begin sharpening his skills for a possible run in the 2016 Olympics should dancing be added, he’s off to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana's Summer With The Stars, where he'll join fellow DWTS All-Stars competitor Joey Fatone.
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“I’m just excited to go out to the Dominican Republic,” Mark says. “I’ve never been there, and then also I’ve got a lot of friends who are performing as well, so being able to perform out there for a new crowd and just be a part of the whole event is going to be really fun. It’ll be good to be in the Dominican Republic. That’s going to be lovely!”
Hm, will girlfriend Tiffany Dunn join him?
“She may join me. It’ll be nice to have a little break as well as working a little bit out there, just to enjoy the sun and whatnot.”
Summer WIth The Stars is held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, which is situated on pristine white sands stretching 121-acres along Macao Beach in the Dominican Republic. Hard Rock’s first-ever all-inclusive hotel and casino exudes lavish five-star all-inclusive amenities and personal services to create the ultimate rock-star getaway featuring an endless array of enticing outdoor activities and exhilarating entertainment options.
