{"id":19446,"date":"2026-04-09T06:45:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T06:45:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=19446"},"modified":"2026-04-09T06:45:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T06:45:49","slug":"mark-ballas-and-whitney-leavitt-share-unexpected-on-stage-moment-during-chicago-opening-night-but-one-quiet-gesture-left-the-audience-holding-their-breath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/?p=19446","title":{"rendered":"Mark Ballas AND Whitney Leavitt SHARE UNEXPECTED ON-STAGE MOMENT DURING Chicago OPENING NIGHT \u2014 BUT ONE QUIET GESTURE LEFT THE AUDIENCE HOLDING THEIR BREATH"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-70385d72\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-4e92c4e8\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail not-transparent wp-post-image\" src=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-1920-x-1080-Format-2-10.png?w=864\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-1920-x-1080-Format-2-10.png 1920w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-1920-x-1080-Format-2-10.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-1920-x-1080-Format-2-10.png?resize=700,394 700w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-1920-x-1080-Format-2-10.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-1920-x-1080-Format-2-10.png?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-1920-x-1080-Format-2-10.png?resize=1536,864 1536w\" alt=\"Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas\" width=\"864\" height=\"486\" data-od-removed-fetchpriority=\"high\" data-od-xpath=\"\/HTML\/BODY\/DIV[@class='gb-container gb-container-70385d72']\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::FIGURE]\/*[1][self::IMG]\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" data-dominant-color=\"671f2b\" \/>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"image-credit\">Disney<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-579e5b87 post-hero-text\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-3df17eda\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-d909e043\">\n<div class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-52265de4 gb-headline-text link-light primary-category\"><span class=\"breadcrumb-separator\" aria-hidden=\"true\">&gt;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"post-title-item term-current-page\"><span class=\"breadcrumb_last\" aria-current=\"page\">VIDEO: Mark Ballas Shares Tender Moment With Whitney Leavitt On Stage During His Opening Night in Chicago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-56c7eb13 gb-headline-text\">Mark Ballas Shares Tender Moment With Whitney Leavitt On Stage During His Opening Night in Chicago<\/h1>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kz1ECPsf1Io?si=s2GvDO1Tjs4IGuwM\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-origwidth=\"560\" data-origheight=\"315\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"page\" class=\"site grid-container container hfeed\">\n<div id=\"content\" class=\"site-content\">\n<div id=\"primary\" class=\"content-area\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-2\"><\/div>\n<article id=\"post-5745789\" class=\"post-5745789 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-dancing-with-the-stars\">\n<div class=\"inside-article\">\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Mark Ballas\u00a0and\u00a0Whitney Leavitt\u00a0are reuniting on the big stage!<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-3\"><\/div>\n<p>The beloved \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d pro just kicked off a 4-week limited engagement in the Tony Award-winning revival of \u201cChicago\u201d as Billy Flynn on Monday, April 6 opposite his Season 34 partner, who made her Broadway debut in the iconic role of Roxie Hart on February 2. With the \u201cSecret Lives of Mormon Wives\u201d star at the helm, the long-running Broadway musical reached its\u00a0highest weekly ticket sales in the show\u2019s 29-year history.<\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\"><\/div>\n<p>This fan-favorite duo first captured viewers\u2019 hearts on the hit competition series, where they were a standout pair with the judges week after week. This same spark is now taking center stage, where Ballas and Leavitt will be bringing their dynamic partnership to live audiences at the Ambassador Theatre in New York City.<\/p>\n<p>Following Ballas\u2019 performance, he was introduced on stage to take his bows with the rest of the cast before he and Leavitt were handed bouquets. Towards the end of their bows, Leavitt stepped back to allow Ballas his moment in the spotlight. Then, the \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d pro grasped Leavitt\u2019s hand and exited the stage.<\/p>\n<div id=\"img_ybfqgduhzu9cuqouixu7uj9iouj9iuiu4uido9r929iu7ul\" class=\"img_ybfqurd9izu9cuqo9burd img_ybfqurd9izu9cuqo9bu8u7uj9iouj9i img_ybfqurd9izu9cuqo9bu8u7uj9iouj9i9bu4 img_ybfqurd9izu9cuqo9burd9bu8up9r\">\n<div id=\"img_ybfquyu7u7uyupouiurd9ruicku9urunouis9e9k9ei9p9eut5,6959k9e59k959ksgduhzu9cuqouixu7uj9iouj9iuiu4s55utdutkdkiuxu89pik6uruxd9p9k6959eutui9puiuiu8u7uj9iurcujou9uiui\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"h-more-exclusive-photos-from-ballas-opening-night-curtain-call\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">More EXCLUSIVE Photos From Ballas\u2019 Opening Night Curtain Call<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5746240 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6393_ad751c.jpg?w=360\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6393_ad751c.jpg 360w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6393_ad751c.jpg?resize=222,394 222w\" alt=\"Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt\" width=\"360\" height=\"640\" data-od-added-loading=\"\" data-od-replaced-sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" data-od-xpath=\"\/HTML\/BODY\/DIV[@id='page']\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::MAIN]\/*[1][self::ARTICLE]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[13][self::FIGURE]\/*[1][self::IMG]\" data-dominant-color=\"665755\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" \/><span class=\"caption-credit\">EntertainmentNow<\/span><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt in \u201cChicago\u201d on April 6, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5746243 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6386_35c8c1.jpg?w=360\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6386_35c8c1.jpg 360w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6386_35c8c1.jpg?resize=222,394 222w\" alt=\"Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt\" width=\"360\" height=\"640\" data-od-added-loading=\"\" data-od-replaced-sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" data-od-xpath=\"\/HTML\/BODY\/DIV[@id='page']\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::MAIN]\/*[1][self::ARTICLE]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[14][self::FIGURE]\/*[1][self::IMG]\" data-dominant-color=\"645348\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" \/><span class=\"caption-credit\">EntertainmentNow<\/span><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt in \u201cChicago\u201d on April 6, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5746242 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6395_560704.jpg?w=360\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6395_560704.jpg 360w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_6395_560704.jpg?resize=222,394 222w\" alt=\"Mark Ballas\" width=\"360\" height=\"640\" data-od-xpath=\"\/HTML\/BODY\/DIV[@id='page']\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::MAIN]\/*[1][self::ARTICLE]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[15][self::FIGURE]\/*[1][self::IMG]\" data-dominant-color=\"736a62\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" \/><span class=\"caption-credit\">EntertainmentNow<\/span><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mark Ballas in \u201cChicago\u201d on April 6, 2026.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"h-ballas-amp-leavitt-praise-their-dancing-with-the-stars-dynamic\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ballas &amp; Leavitt Praise Their \u2018Dancing with the Stars\u2019 Dynamic<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5746228 not-transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/180161_EM203090.jpg?w=844\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 844px) 100vw, 844px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/180161_EM203090.jpg 3000w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/180161_EM203090.jpg?resize=493,394 493w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/180161_EM203090.jpg?resize=768,614 768w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/180161_EM203090.jpg?resize=844,675 844w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/180161_EM203090.jpg?resize=1536,1229 1536w, https:\/\/entertainmentnow.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/180161_EM203090.jpg?resize=2048,1638 2048w\" alt=\"MARK BALLAS, WHITNEY LEAVITT\" width=\"844\" height=\"675\" data-od-xpath=\"\/HTML\/BODY\/DIV[@id='page']\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::MAIN]\/*[1][self::ARTICLE]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[1][self::DIV]\/*[18][self::FIGURE]\/*[1][self::IMG]\" data-dominant-color=\"8a96aa\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" \/><span class=\"caption-credit\">Disney<\/span><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">DANCING WITH THE STARS \u2013 \u201cPrince Night (Semi-Finals)\u201d \u2013 MARK BALLAS, WHITNEY LEAVITT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cWe connected right away,\u201d Leavitt told\u00a0PEOPLE of their time on the competition show. \u201cI know that doesn\u2019t always happen with people on the show, but that happened for us, and I feel like that dynamic we\u2019re just gonna take onto this show too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ballas added, \u201cWe just get each other.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a very similar sense of humor and we like the same things. I think we throw ourselves 100% into whatever we\u2019re doing \u2014 and for that reason, we were able to push it even further,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n<p>Prior to his return to Broadway, Ballas only had a couple of chances to rehearse the show with Leavitt because of her demanding performance schedule, according to the outlet. \u201cIt feels overwhelming,\u201d Leavitt said when asked to reflect on her life over the last couple of months, which also included the release of the \u201cSecret Lives of Mormon Wives\u201d Season 4. \u201cBut it\u2019s overwhelming in a good way.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite this demanding schedule limiting their ability to practice as a pair, Ballas was confident that their dynamic would carry over from \u201cDancing with the Stars.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI feel like our synergy and the way we work together is already in place. We know each other\u2019s dynamics and how we move, so I\u2019m looking forward to doing that in this context,\u201d Ballas told the outlet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/videoseries?si=aQxFbvRzNBjjeJI-&amp;list=PL1gWn-IlngFzO_8qsBTLLY9hPKbpBB3DP\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-origwidth=\"\" data-origheight=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Disney &gt;\u00a0VIDEO: Mark Ballas Shares Tender Moment With Whitney Leavitt On Stage During His Opening Night in Chicago Mark Ballas Shares Tender Moment With Whitney Leavitt&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19447,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19446","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19446","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19446"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19446\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19448,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19446\/revisions\/19448"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19447"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19446"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19446"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grow24.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19446"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}