Maura Higgins Performed Quickstep on Dancing With the Stars
In the third week of Season 35, Maura Higgins and partner Mark Ballas showcased a quickstep to a Yacht Rock classic.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Dancing
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Maura Higgins and partner Mark Ballas performed a quickstep routine during the show's Yacht Rock Night. As the competition enters its third week, 13 couples remain in the running.
Why it matters
The performance highlights the technical demands of the quickstep as the remaining 13 contestants compete in the current season of the ballroom dance show. These routines emphasize consistent frame and footwork precision under the pressure of live competition.
In the third week of Season 35, Maura Higgins received a score of 22 out of a possible 30 points. This total places the pair behind the current week's leaderboard leaders, Amber Glenn and Harry Shum Jr., who secured 24 points.
The players
Maura Higgins
A television personality and professional dancer currently competing in the 35th season of the dance competition.
Mark Ballas
A veteran professional ballroom dancer and choreographer known for his creative routines on the show.
Amber Glenn
A competitive figure skater and current contestant who achieved the top score during the third week of the season.
Harry Shum Jr.
An actor and dancer currently competing as a partner in the series.
The details
Choreographed by Mark Ballas, the routine required Higgins to maintain a consistent ballroom frame while executing a rapid sequence of hops, runs, and syncopated steps. The performance was set to George Benson's song Turn Your Love Around, reflecting the 1970s and 1980s aesthetic of the evening's yacht rock theme.
Timeline
The competition theme drew inspiration from the 1970s and 1980s.
The routine occurred during week three of Season 35.
Health Landscape
Televised ballroom competitions continue to highlight the physical rigor and technical precision required for high-level dance. This performance underscores how performers adapt classic styles like the quickstep to meet modern entertainment standards within the American ballroom circuit.
The athletic demands of ballroom dance, such as maintaining a firm frame and executing syncopated footwork, are excellent ways to improve cardiovascular fitness and coordination. If you are interested in starting dance as a workout, discuss the appropriate intensity level for your fitness goals with your physician.
The takeaway
The quickstep is a high-intensity dance that requires sustained core strength and cardiovascular endurance to maintain both frame and pace. Viewers interested in the physical benefits of dance should consult their physician before starting a new, high-impact exercise routine.
Further reading
Explore the fundamentals of ballroom technique in our Dancing section.
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