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Maura Higgins Performed Quickstep on Dancing With the Stars

Maura Higgins and partner Mark Ballas danced a quickstep during the competition's Yacht Rock Night.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Dancing

Bold vector editorial illustration of a pair of ballroom dance shoes in motion, evoking the energy of a professional dance routine.
Maura Higgins performed a quickstep routine during the Yacht Rock themed night on the third week of Dancing With the Stars Season 35. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Maura Higgins competed in the third week of Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars with a quickstep routine. She and her partner Mark Ballas danced to the song Turn Your Love Around by George Benson.

Why it matters

The performance took place during the themed Yacht Rock Night, which highlights popular music from the 1970s and 1980s. The show currently features 13 remaining couples competing for the title.

Maura Higgins earned 22 out of 30 points for her routine. She is one of 13 remaining couples in the current season, which is led by Amber Glenn and Harry Shum Jr. with 24 points.

The players

Maura Higgins

She is a reality television personality and model currently competing on Dancing With the Stars.

Mark Ballas

He is a professional ballroom dancer and choreographer who serves as a partner on the show.

Amber Glenn

She is a competitive figure skater currently leading the leaderboard for the season.

Harry Shum Jr.

He is an actor and dancer competing as a partner in the current season of the series.

Derek Hough

He is a professional dancer and long-time judge on the competition series.

The details

Mark Ballas designed the choreography for the quickstep routine, which required Maura Higgins to maintain her frame while executing syncopated steps, hops, and runs. The judges for the performance included Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli.

Timeline

  1. The routine occurred during week three of the competition.

  2. The musical theme drew inspiration from the 1970s and 1980s.

  3. This appearance took place during Season 35.

Culture Shift

The routine follows the established trajectory of the series, which utilizes themed nights like Yacht Rock to engage audiences through nostalgia. This approach marks a departure from traditional ballroom pacing by prioritizing specific musical eras to drive seasonal engagement.

Viewers can track the progress of their favorite contestants by tuning into the weekly broadcast schedule. The performance demonstrates the technical requirements involved for those looking to replicate the routine for recreational ballroom practice.

The takeaway

The judges score serves as a critical indicator for which contestants remain in the competition. Viewers interested in ballroom dance can observe how professional partners like Mark Ballas utilize syncopated steps to elevate complex routines.

Further reading

For more information on the current competitive season, visit the Dancing section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by LMFM.

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Do you enjoy watching reality-TV stars compete in ballroom dancing programs?