What Is Corky Ballas Doing Now? A Look At The Dance Legend's Current Steps
For anyone who has followed the captivating world of ballroom dance, or perhaps, you know, just enjoyed a bit of television, the name Corky Ballas probably rings a bell. He's a figure who has truly made his mark on the dance floor, and honestly, a lot of folks are curious about what he's been up to lately. Is that something you've wondered about, too? Well, we're going to talk about his life and what he's doing these days, as of mid-2024, because, you know, people change and move on.
He's a rather well-known personality, especially for those who appreciate the artistry and athleticism that ballroom dancing demands. Corky Ballas, a name often linked with high-level competition and, in some respects, even a bit of television fame, has certainly had quite a journey. So, if you've ever found yourself pondering his current activities, you're certainly not alone in that thought.
We're going to explore where this celebrated dance professional is now, from his ongoing work to his personal life, and perhaps even a little bit about the legacy he's building. It's quite a story, really, and it touches on various aspects of his life, which is that, you know, a lot of people find interesting.
Table of Contents
- Corky Ballas: A Dance Life Story
- Personal Details and Bio Data
- Current Endeavors: Teaching, Training, and Beyond
- Family Life and Relationships
- The Dancing with the Stars Connection
- Frequently Asked Questions
Corky Ballas: A Dance Life Story
Corky Ballas has, in a way, spent a lifetime dedicated to the art of dance. His beginnings in the dance world were quite something, actually, influenced by his father, George Ballas Sr. George owned and operated a massive dance studio, which was called Dance City USA. This place was truly immense, covering 64,000 square feet, and it even had 125 teachers on its payroll. So, you can imagine, Corky was pretty much surrounded by dance from a very early age.
He eventually became a professional ballroom dance trainer himself, which is that, you know, a natural progression given his background. This path led him to some pretty significant stages, including appearances on international television. He was, for example, part of the well-known series *Dancing with the Stars*, where he took on the role of training future stars of the show. This really helped him to become a recognized face in many households, and it was a rather big part of his career, in some respects.
His career has spanned decades, with a focus on both performing and teaching. He's been known as a retired ball dancer and a teacher, which suggests a long and successful period in the competitive and instructional sides of dance. It's clear that dance has been, and still is, a very central part of his identity and his work, and he's been at it for a very long time, apparently.
Personal Details and Bio Data
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Corky Ballas |
| Occupation | Dance Teacher, Trainer, Retired Ball Dancer |
| Current Location | San Antonio, USA |
| Previous Marriage | Shirley Ballas (married 1985, marriage ended) |
| Current Relationship Status | Engaged to Carolina Orlovsky |
| Children | Mark Ballas (with Shirley Ballas) |
| Father's Business | Dance City USA (64,000 sq ft dance studio) |
| Net Worth (approx.) | $ (from his career) |
Current Endeavors: Teaching, Training, and Beyond
So, what exactly is Corky Ballas doing now, you might ask? Well, as of today, he's very much still involved in the dance world, just in a slightly different capacity. He now teaches dancing in San Antonio, which is quite interesting, through his own dancing studio. He also maintains a website, which, you know, helps people connect with his work and perhaps even learn a thing or two about dance from him.
He's focused on training couples, helping them to really grasp and master the same goals and principles that have made him a champion. He often describes this process as a "formula," emphasizing that it takes a very strong mindset to truly commit and know that you are capable of achieving these dance goals. It's clear he's passing on a lot of what he's learned over the years, and that's pretty valuable, actually.
Looking ahead, Corky has plans for the future that include more television performances, which suggests he might be making a return to the screen in some capacity. He's also thinking about developing an online interactive dance platform. This would be a really cool way to reach an even wider audience, allowing people to learn from him no matter where they are, and that's a pretty forward-thinking idea, too, it's almost.
He continues to celebrate his long tenure in dance, apparently marking over 40 years of transforming lives through this art form. This commitment to dance education and its impact on people is a rather significant part of his current professional life. It's clear his passion for dance hasn't faded, not one bit, and he's still very much active in sharing it with others, in some respects.
Family Life and Relationships
Corky Ballas's personal life has, you know, been a topic of discussion at times, especially concerning his past marriage to Shirley Ballas, who is the head judge on *Strictly Come Dancing*. Their second marriage, which began in 1985 after Shirley's first marriage ended, eventually crumbled. This happened when Corky reportedly started a romance with a former star from the BBC program, which was a rather public event, as a matter of fact.
The couple had relocated to Houston, USA, after their marriage, and they had their son, Mark, there. Shirley has, on occasion, spoken about her decision to move to the US with Corky, and she later realized, in her own words, that she had made a mistake. There were also claims from Shirley about alleged fat-shaming during her pregnancy with Mark, where she claimed Corky made comments about her weight, which is a very personal detail.
Despite the past difficulties, it seems that Corky and Shirley maintain a connection today. Shirley has revealed that she recently spent a week alongside Corky, and she also mentioned that they talk regularly. She even shares grandparent duties with him now, which shows a level of continued interaction and co-parenting, in a way, for their son's family. This is quite interesting, considering their past, and it shows a certain maturity, perhaps.
In terms of his current romantic life, Corky Ballas is engaged to Carolina Orlovsky. This is his current relationship, following his previous marriage to Shirley. It's a new chapter for him personally, and it seems he's moving forward with his life, which is that, you know, a natural thing for people to do after a long and public history.
The Dancing with the Stars Connection
Corky Ballas is perhaps best known to a wider audience for his involvement with *Dancing with the Stars*. He appeared in the international TV series, where he took on the important role of a professional ballroom dance trainer. This was a pretty big deal, actually, as he was responsible for helping various celebrities learn the ropes of ballroom dancing and prepare for the intense competition.
His time on the show helped to solidify his reputation as a top-tier dance instructor, capable of bringing out the best in his students, even those with little to no prior dance experience. He was very much a part of the show's early success, contributing to the excitement and the overall quality of the performances. He trained future stars, which is a pretty cool thing to be able to say, in some respects.
While he may no longer be a regular fixture on the show, his impact certainly remains. Many of the techniques and approaches he taught have, in a way, influenced how ballroom dance is presented on television and how aspiring dancers are trained. His appearances helped to showcase his expertise and experience, which are key qualities for anyone in his field. It's almost like he set a standard, you know, for what a professional trainer should be on such a program.
For more insights into the world of professional dance and its influential figures, you could learn more about dance history on our site, or perhaps even explore the latest current dance news to see how the art form continues to evolve. You can also find more information on dance professionals and their careers in a prominent dance publication like Dance Magazine, which is a really good resource, by the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about Corky Ballas, especially since he's been a public figure in the dance world for so long. Here are a few common ones, which is that, you know, people typically ask.
Is Corky Ballas still teaching dance?
Yes, he is! Corky Ballas now teaches dancing in San Antonio, Texas, through his own studio. He also has a website where people can find out more about his dance instruction. He's very much still engaged in the teaching aspect of dance, which is pretty neat.
What is Corky Ballas's relationship with Shirley Ballas now?
Despite their past marriage ending, Corky and Shirley Ballas maintain a connection. Shirley has mentioned that they talk regularly and even spent a week together recently. They also share grandparent duties, which suggests a friendly and ongoing relationship, in some respects.
Did Corky Ballas appear on Dancing with the Stars?
Yes, he did appear on *Dancing with the Stars*. He was a professional ballroom dance trainer on the international TV series. He helped train future stars of the show, which was a significant part of his career and brought him a lot of recognition, too, it's almost.
Corky Ballas
Corky Ballas - Encyclopedia of DanceSport
Corky Ballas from "Dancing With The Stars", June 13th 2014
