Mark Ballas has finally addressed his absence from the upcoming 23rd season of ABC's Dancing With the Stars.

Ballas was missing from the announcement of celebs and pros competing on season 23 of Dancing With the Stars, without much explanation. Considering the pro has won the Mirrorball trophy twice and become of the regulars who returns almost every season, his absence was curious.

However, Ballas confirms that he is not returning for season 23 in a new Twitter post featuring a photo of a letter he wrote, explaining that he's heading into a different avenue for the time being.

"I wanted to hand write this letter to personally thank each and every one of you for the support over the years," he writes in the letter. "I am incredibly moved and grateful for all of your messages over the past 24 hours. I know many of you are concerned and curious. I want to wish my DWTS comrades luck this season. I'll miss competing and creating outside the box, however I am looking forward to this new chapter and venture that is beginning shortly. I will soon have news for you all on where you can find me, I hope to see many of you there. I love you all so much and couldn't be more grateful for your loyalty and support."

Even as Ballas was competing on Dancing With the Stars he was busy working on music with his fiancée and singing partner, BC Jean. It's possible that he intends to pursue a music career and is hoping to dedicate more to this. However, Ballas has not officially confirmed what he will be up to next.

The upcoming pro lineup does feature some cool returns, though. Longtime pros Maks Chmerkovskiy and Cheryl Burke, who have taken multiple seasons off, are now back and will be dancing with Amber Rose and Ryan Lochte, respectively. One-time pro Gleb Savchenko is back as well, and he will be dancing with Jana Kramer.

Dancing With the Stars season 23 premieres Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Tags: Dancing with the Stars Reality TV ABC