No one would have expected the small leave. So, when it came, they planned it together to save time. And in the exchange, they had a special moment. Yes, it is all about Stephen Nedoroscik and his dance partner, Rylee Arnold. Because of the live broadcast of the US election last week, Channel ABC canceled the DWTS episode on November 5. That move earned the performers a leave and further time to prepare for the hard test. Yes, the upcoming episode of DWTS will put every contestant in front of unforeseen challenges. But thankfully, Nedoroscik and Arnold have their dancing shoes ready. How? 

Last week, Rylee Arnold showed up in the premiere of Wicked, with her boyfriend, Walker Lyons. The duo presented themselves magically on the red carpet. But Arnold had something more to add, and it was not about her relationship with Lyons. Rather, in the small conversation with Entertainment Tonight, she revealed that Stephen and his girlfriend would join them in the premiere. Well, the gymnast and Tess McCracken surely joined the couple to enjoy the special evening. Even so, there was something more. 

In the conversation with Entertainment Tonight, the host asked her about the preparation for the 500th episode of DWTS. Notably, on November 12, DWTS will air the postponed episode. Coincidentally, it is the 500th episode of the show. So, some special hurdles will be there. However, Arnold didn’t look to be much tensed about that. 

Rather, in the interview, she said, “I am so proud of Stephen and I can’t wait for you guys to see this dance he is working so hard he’s working on the technique we had Mark Ballas come in and it was really really beneficial and I’m just so excited for this one we’re going to have to.” That confirms Mark Ballas’s appearance in the training room of team Arnold Pommel. But who is Mr. Ballas? And why is there a discussion around him? Well, the 38-year-old has had his own story with the ballroom and the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. 

On Tuesday, DWTS is going to celebrate the 500th episode. However, in a large chunk of those episodes, Ballas reigned with his extraordinary dance skills. The history of the dance reality show flaunts his presence from 2007 to 2022. During these years, the Texan stayed connected with the show through various roles. And folks, can you guess what’s the most splendid thing about his presence in DWTS? 

Well, Mark Ballas lifted the trophy three times (in seasons 6, 8, and 31). Additionally, in season 30, he had to stop inches away from the trophy, ending as the runner-up. Now another fun fact: for his contribution to DWTS, Mark Ballas received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography in 2011. That explains his stature in the dancing world and DWTS. But there’s another nerve that connects him to Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold. 

In the 500th episode, the hosts of DWTS want to keep the emotional quotient high. That’s the reason the competitors will perform to honor the former stars of the show through their performances. Meanwhile, Stephen and Rylee will perform the Viennese Waltz, to honor Ballas and his dance partner in season 31, Charli D’Amelio. That might have made Ballas share one or two things with the duo to shape their upcoming performance. But there could be another thing where Nedoroscik and his dance colleague would have surely wanted Ballas’s help. 

Stephen Nedoroscik will face an unforeseen barrier on Tuesday 

As per Rylee Arnold, Stephen Nedoroscik is right on the line after his sad show on episode 6. Well, in episode 6 (the Disney night), the Olympian had to hear words like “You have to work on timing,” from the judges. Moreover, he admitted his fault for missing the steps on the stage. Yet Nedoroscik didn’t lose hope. He vowed to come back stronger. And folks, next week, he delivered something right on top. 

On the week 7 Halloween Horrors episode, the 26-year-old and his dance partner earned their first ten of the season. For Arnold, it was far more special being the first 10 since her entry as a pro in the show (in 2023). On the stage, Nedoroscik did his job well, and he defeated his inner demon, frightening him in the dark. Meanwhile, the judges felt impressed. “You found your dramatic persona,” judge Bruno Tonioli said after his performance. “You were totally, totally lost into character. You became somebody else, and you gave us something that was special and beautiful.” But this time, the challenge is astounding. 

The update says that this time Stephen, Rylee, and others will have to perform on themes that will be given to them just minutes before their actual performances. In that way, the judges will be able to check the grasping and creativity levels of the contestants. But it will land both Nedoroscik and Arnold on unknown ground. Wouldn’t that be too much to ask for? But the duo has no other option apart from entering. The route to the semifinals goes through this way only. Now, will Mark Ballas’s suggestion make their day in DWTS? Just a few more hours.