DWTS Pros Witney Carson and Mark Ballas Had Secret Feud, Former Contestants Claim

Pro dancers Witney Carson and Mark Ballas reportedly had a significant rift during Season 21 of "Dancing With the Stars," according to former contestants Alexa and Carlos PenaVega.

The married couple, who competed against each other in 2015 as the show's only married pair, shared details about behind-the-scenes tension involving their respective professional partners on their podcast, "LexLos."

"At the time, Witney and Mark were not getting along at all. They refused to be in the same room together," Alexa PenaVega stated on the podcast. She added that the alleged feud made rehearsals difficult for her and Carlos, as they had intended to rehearse together as much as possible.

"We thought we were going to be rehearsing in the same room, and now we have to be so separate. We have to dance around whatever’s going on with them," Alexa explained. "The whole point of doing the show was, ‘We’re going to go in, and we’re going to do this together as much as possible.'"

Carlos PenaVega noted that while he and Carson had a "great" time and "so much fun," he was focused on winning. He described Ballas as "very creative" and someone who pushes boundaries, which requires extensive work.

"Listen, I had a great work ethic with Witney. She put up with a lot ’cause it was really hard, but we had a lot of fun," Carlos said.

Alexa, who also expressed enjoyment dancing with Ballas, commented on the differing learning speeds between her and her husband. She recalled Carlos picking up choreography quickly, while she struggled to retain what she learned.

"When it comes to dance, you pick things up so easily. Like, Carlos, they would teach him something, and he would know it immediately," Alexa said. "He would learn a dance, and it would be so good right away. And even if he messed up, you would never know he messed up."

She continued, "Meanwhile, it took me forever. Mark would teach me something, and I’d be like, ‘All right, got it.’ I would have it, and then an hour later, I’d be like, ‘I actually don’t remember any of that.'"

Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas finished in 6th place that season. Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson reached the finale, securing 4th place.

Representatives for Carson, Ballas, and "DWTS" did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Both Ballas and Carson have continued to compete as professional dancers on "Dancing With the Stars." Carson won Season 34 with Robert Irwin. Ballas and his current partner, Maura Higgins, are still competing in the current season.