‘Dancing’: Mark Ballas On Sadie Robertson’s Mirrorball Potential

“Duck Dynasty’s” Sadie Robertson was one of the standouts on the Season 19 premiere of “Dancing with the Stars.”

With no dance experience, the 17-year-old hit the ballroom with professional partner Mark Ballas, performing a cha cha that prompted judge Bruno Tonioli to call her, “a bird of paradise.” After taking second place during Week 1, and now, prepping for Week 2, Access Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez asked Mark if he is working with “mirrorball champion material.”

“I definitely feel like we have potential for sure, yeah,” Mark told Liz as she stopped by their rehearsal on Thursday. “It’s only Week 2 coming up, but you can keep taking it day by day, week by week, but I definitely feel like she has potential, yes.”

New “DWTS” judge Julianne Hough complimented teenager Sadie, following her first routine (which received 34 out of 40 points), calling her the total package.

“It was the best feeling ever. I was so excited,” Sadie, who is a fan of dancer/actress/singer Julianne, told Liz. “I was like, trying to like keep my cool. … And then, when we got back there I was like, ‘Yeah!'”

PHOTOS: ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 19 Portraits

Asked about the most challenging part of being on “Dancing,” the high school student said it is facing the judges.

“I think the hardest part is just listening to what the judges have to say because I’m so sensitive, so I know the day I mess up and it’s like, they’re just killing me, I know I’m gonna get emotional,” she said.

“She warned me, she was just like, ‘I’m just warning you now. … I’m really sensitive,'” Mark said. “I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ She’s like, ‘Well, when the judges, if the judges say something tough on me I’m probably gonna cry.’ And I was just like, ‘It’s okay.'”

If Sadie keeps producing numbers like her first one, she will have nothing to worry about.

PHOTOS: ‘Dancing’ Hunk Mark Ballas

“DWTS” continues Monday at 8/7c on ABC.

— Jolie Lash