Two of the most talented choreographers and professional dancers to have graced the stage at ABC’s Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) have definitely been Derek Hough and Mark Ballas. The two have given so many iconic moments to the DWTS franchise. Their performance on DWTS’s season 33 finale on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024 was no exception! During this finale, the duo performed a male pair Argentine tango and brought the dance back to its traditional roots. The dance should earn them an Emmy, and if not, at the very least it has definitely earned them the respect of fellow dancers and fans of dance due to their mastery of the form and their artistry.
To many who don’t know the history of the dance, it may have seemed unusual to have two males do a dance that we have now become more accustomed to watching as a mixed pair of a male and female dance together. However, the Argentine tango when it began was not actually a dance performed in this manner. Rather, the Argentine tango originated in Argentina as a dance between men in the late 19th century! There were a couple key reasons why the tango originated in this manner. Most significant was the fact that the population of Argentina at the time was predominantly male with a ratio of around seven men to one woman. Dance was a social activity and men would dance with other men to practice their moves before they would dance with any women! Such a cute back story for what ultimately has become such a passionate dance between couples!
To be completely honest, Derek and Mark have always been two of my favorite dancers and choreographers. They have such dedication to the art, unique choreographies, and a passion that lights the stage on fire whenever they hit it. So, of course, expectations were high as I was very excited to see two dance masters perform this tough dance! This wasn’t the first time I have watched a male pair do the Argentine Tango, because due to the internet we are exposed to so much! I had seen an argentine tango done on Strictly Come Dancing (the UK origin of DWTS), but it hadn’t captivated me in any particular way. Parts of that dance had felt sluggish and it fellow below expectations. Yet, this tango by Derek and Mark captivated me throughout and exceeded what I had thought it would be!
The choreography and dance by Derek and Mark checked off everything one desires when two strong dancers of this caliber perform – tough choreography, clean lines, perfect posture, proper hold, flicks (boleo) at the right moment, dramatic and dynamic movements. It was visual mastery to watch. Best of all, these two are best friends since they were children, so the strength of their friendship translated well to the strength of their performance. The dance didn’t require any distractions visually and kept the focus on the two dancers. Their dance seemed to leap off the screen and felt so intimate to the viewer. Moreover, neither tried to overshadow the other, rather they danced as though they were one. If you haven’t seen the dance, I highly recommend watching it below! You will definitely agree that the balance of power in this dance is so evenly matched as we have two of the best dancers of our generation creating magic on the ballroom floor!
Be sure to follow Mark, Derek, and of course, @awaazarts on Instagram!!
