Former ‘DWTS’ Contestants Claim Carson, Ballas Feuded on Season 21
WHO:
NY Post - Witney Carson and Mark Ballas were the “DWTS” professional dancers named in former contestants’ claims about a feud.
US Magazine - Alexa and Carlos PenaVega said their respective professional partners on “Dancing With the Stars” were Mark Ballas and Witney Carson.
US Magazine - Alexa PenaVega, identified as 38, made the claim about Carson and Ballas.
WHAT:
NY Post - Former contestants claimed Carson and Ballas “refused to be in the same room” amid an alleged feud.
US Magazine - Alexa and Carlos PenaVega said their “Dancing With the Stars” experience involved behind-the-scenes drama between their professional partners.
US Magazine - Alexa alleged: “There’s a lot of drama behind the scenes. At the time, Witney and Mark were not getting along at all.”
WHERE:
NY Post - The alleged conflict took place behind the scenes of “Dancing With the Stars.”
US Magazine - The alleged drama occurred behind the scenes of “Dancing With the Stars.”
WHEN:
NY Post - The alleged feud occurred during Season 21 of “Dancing With the Stars”; the article identifies the season as 2015.
WHY:
NY Post - The article describes the alleged tension as a secret feud but does not state its cause.
US Magazine - The article reports the alleged conflict but does not give a reason for it.
HOW:
US Magazine - Alexa and Carlos PenaVega shared their claim about the alleged conflict in an episode published on Thursday; the excerpt does not provide the episode’s full program name or exact date.
(UPDATED October 25, 2026 02:21 UTC)
Former “Dancing With the Stars” contestants Alexa and Carlos PenaVega say their experience on the show included behind-the-scenes drama between professional dancers Witney Carson and Mark Ballas. Alexa said the two were not getting along at all, and former contestants also claimed Carson and Ballas refused to be in the same room. The alleged conflict took place during Season 21 of the competition. Alexa and Carlos each had one of the dancers as a professional partner: Alexa was paired with Ballas, while Carlos danced with Carson. Alexa, identified as 38, shared the claim with Carlos in an episode published on Thursday. The couple described the tension as part of the drama behind the scenes. No reason for the alleged feud was given.