DWTS Pros Witney Carson and Mark Ballas 'Refused to Be in Same Room' During Season 21

Former 'Dancing With the Stars' contestants Alexa and Carlos PenaVega have revealed a major backstage rift between pro dancers Witney Carson and Mark Ballas during Season 21, according to their recent podcast episode ^[1]. The married duo, who made history as the first couple to compete against each other in 2015, said the tension between Carson and Ballas made their experience difficult.

"At the time, Witney and Mark were not getting along at all. They refused to be in the same room together," Alexa, 38, said on the Thursday, October 22, episode of their 'LexLos' podcast ^[2]. She described the situation as "really hard" because the couple had planned to rehearse together and support one another throughout the competition ^[1].

Instead, they had to navigate the dance floor while avoiding the tension between their respective partners. "We thought we’d 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 recalled ^[2].

Carlos, 37, who competed with Carson, said he and Carson had a "great work ethic" and "had so much fun," despite the pressure to win ^[1]. He praised Ballas as "very creative" and "wants to do things outside the box," which required extra effort ^[2].

Alexa noted that Carlos learned choreography far faster than she did, saying he picked up moves "immediately" and performed them flawlessly even when he made mistakes ^[1]. In contrast, she struggled to retain steps taught by Ballas, admitting she’d forget them within hours ^[2].

Alexa and Ballas finished in sixth place, while Carlos and Carson reached the finale, ultimately placing fourth behind winners Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough ^[1]. Both Carson and Ballas have continued as pros, with Carson eliminated in Season 35 during "Super Bowl Night" alongside partner Guillermo Rodriguez, while Ballas and Maura Higgins remain in the running for the Mirrorball Trophy.

Neither Ballas nor Carson has publicly addressed the allegations. Representatives for both dancers and 'DWTS' have not responded to requests for comment ^[1]. The story was first reported by New York Post and Us Weekly.