Friends of Mark Ballas tell TMZ his partner on "Dancing with the Stars," Bristol Palin, has missed so many practices their performance might be embarrassing.

ADVERTISEMENT
Ballas canceled Monday's rehearsal because of a party for his mother, TMZ reported, but Palin, daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, canceled Tuesday because she had to give a speech and canceled Wednesday because her son Tripp was sick.

TMZ said Palin was able to practice only a half-day Thursday.

Ballas and Palin are scheduled to dance together when the show premieres live a week from Monday.

Other sources counter that Ballas is happy with Palin's progress, and will practice all weekend and each day next week, TMZ said.

Ballas is a professional ballroom dancer and a singer-songwriter-musician.