Mark Ballas: Just Say No to Paula as Dancing Judge

Dancing With the Stars pro weighs in on the former American Idoler joining his show

Mark Ballas wouldn't mind seeing Paula Abdul on Dancing With the Stars—just not as a judge.

"I think we're good with our judges," Ballas told me yesterday at the Teen Choice Awards. "I think she should be on the show as a competitor."

Considering Abdul's dance background, can't she be one of the show's professional dancers?

Nope…

"She can't be a professional because she's not a ballroom or a Latin dancer," Ballas explained. "She'd be great as a competitor. She's a great personality, everybody loves her and she makes great TV."

If the former American Idol judge does end up on the next season of DWTS, producers better make it happen pronto. Ballas said he starts training with his new celebrity partner in two weeks. He insists he doesn't know who he's been paired with.

Shawn Johnson, the Olympic gymnast who won DWTS last season with Ballas, said we'll be seeing her in the audience come season nine.

"I'm gong to be getting the death glare when I walk down the stairs with my new partner," Ballas said.

And speaking of Johnson, I am happy to report that she finally has her repaired disco ball trophy at home after it was damaged shortly after their big win. Johnson beamed, "It's at home on a mantelpiece on display beautifully."