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.

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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.