The Returning Pros Get Ready to Trash Talk Their 'Dancing with the Stars' Arch Nemesis!

Val Chmerkovskiy on the return of former pros Louis van Amstel and Mark Ballas

When Dancing with the Stars returns for its 31^st season, hosted by Tyra Banks with co-host Alfonso Ribeiro, it will see the return of some old favorites, including former pros Mark Ballas, and Louis van Amstel, who will be returning to the ballroom after an absence of several years.

The man credited with making it happen is Conrad Green, who was the original showrunner/executive producer of the series when it premiered on ABC and will now oversee its transition to Disney+.

“I've been a part of the show since Season 2, so for me, it just feels like home again,” said Cheryl Burke, who will be partnered this season with weatherman Sam Champion. “Conrad has so much heart for this show, and when he was in charge, during those seasons when I started, it was a collaborative thing. He had us very involved with the creative and it really is that because we choreographed the dances and then it's a whole team. I believe that with Conrad's influence again, it will slowly go back to the way it was when it comes to a ballroom dance show and that's the show I signed up for. So, I'm very happy that he's back.”

Peta Murgatroyd, who will be dancing with former Sex and the City star Jason Lewis after sitting out season 30, agrees with Cheryl’s assessment about the effect that Conrad will have on the show.

“I think he's bringing it back to its roots, bringing it back to what it was at the height of Dancing with the Stars, like back in season 10 when we had 23 million people watching the show,” she said. “We want it back there and Conrad was the person to bring it back. So, I think having Mark and Louis and some of these familiar faces coming back was the right thing to do.”

Related: Meet the Celebrity Cast for Dancing with the Stars Season 31

Val Chmerkovskiy, also returning for season 31 and partnering with The Bachelorette’s Gabby Windey, commented on the lifelong rivalry between him and Mark, who will dance with Charli D'Amelio this season, and how it has changed now that they're grownups—but not too much to keep him from pursuing the Mirrorball Trophy!

“One of the highlights for me was to see Mark in the rehearsal space, just to see him be part of this project,” said Val, who at the end of season 30 talked about exiting the show. “Louis as well, but Mark in particular, because I grew up competing with Mark. We’ve known each other since we were kids and we're the same age. Our careers paralleled each other, and I celebrate him. We've grown up from being these competitive kids to adults that celebrate one another and support each other so to have him back on the show is really special." Then he jokes, "I’m not the only old guy.”

Val, Mark, and Louis may be showing love for each other pre-competition, but come the premiere, Louis, who is teaming up with Charlie’s Angels star Cheryl Ladd, says, it’s on!

“It has been fantastic, a lot of togetherness, but we haven't really started the competition yet,” he told reporters. “September 19th, I think that's when we're all going into competitive mode, because then we can see each other on the dance floor and who is good. And then we start the gossip and trash talk. Right now, we're all in this together. Until week one and then game face is on. I'm kidding. I look at this as we're in this together. Our job is to bring the best out of our celebrities and let's give Disney+ the best TV show ever.”

Related: Has Val Chmerkovskiy Changed His Mind About Quitting Dancing with the Stars?

One very positive aspect of having the familiar pros back together is it should raise the game so viewers can expect some fabulous footwork as these are professional dancers who really know how to choreograph, which is a big part of winning.

“Mark’s a creative genius, so that in itself motivates me to also step my game up,” Val added. “We've done that for each other in our dance careers for a long time. You know how arch nemesis over time become best friends because, whether you share it through competition or through unity, regardless, you're sharing a moment. When you look back at your time and your career, there's a presence there and his presence has been there for a long time. It feels really great to have him back.”

Dancing with the Stars will premiere its 31^st season on its new home on Sept. 19 on Disney+.

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