Ezra Sosa‘s sister, Stephani Sosa, found herself in the spotlight recently due to an unexpected event on Dancing With the Stars: Next Pro that led to an unexpected departure from the competition.
On the episode aired Monday, July 27, an unfortunate mishap occurred during group choreography practice. While rehearsing, Stephani inadvertently struck Natalie Jolley in the face. The incident went unnoticed by Stephani until Natalie’s tears revealed the accident’s impact.
Natalie reported feeling dizzy as her eye began to swell. From her confessional, Stephani expressed her shock and regret, stating she was unaware of the harm she caused to Natalie.
“Everything was moving so fast, and suddenly, Natalie was hit in the face,” Stephani reflected. “I felt terrible about it because I know how much effort she’s put into being here. I just hope she’s alright. I’m really sorry; I just care a lot.”
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro showcases 12 fierce competitors vying for a chance on the main stage of Dancing With the Stars. The new reality series, teased with another sneak peek on Thursday, June 25, aims to captivate audiences by highlighting talent from across the globe. Host Robert Irwin emphasized the worldwide search for these outstanding contestants, promising excitement and intense competition.
Natalie was pulled out of rehearsals by production to get medical attention. An ambulance was eventually called once Natalie mentioned she couldn’t breathe through her nose.
“It hurts really bad,” she said before producers reassured her that the medical team would help, adding, “They’re going to give you some pain relief, OK? Just try to slow your breathing down.”
Natalie never returned to perform her group dance on DWTS: Next Pro. Instead, judge Shirley Ballas told the group that no one was going to be eliminated because Natalie’s health scare prevented her from continuing on the show.
“Tonight was the last dance for … neither of you,” she announced. “Following Natalie’s injury, she was not medically cleared to compete, and so she has been eliminated. This means you will all live to dance another day.”
Despite her abrupt exit, Natalie was given the chance to say goodbye.
Over the years, Dancing With the Stars contestants and professionals have dealt with their fair share of health scares while participating on the show. In March 2022, Daniella Karagach was injured during her time on the Dancing With the Stars Live 2022 tour. The dancer, who was partnered up with Iman Shumpert, sustained the injury […]
“I’m really sad and disappointed that I won’t be able to continue in this competition, but the most important thing is just to take care of my body so that I can dance again,” she said. “I love all of you so, so, so much and I’m going to miss you all. Thank you so much.”
Before DWTS: Next Pro premiered on ABC, Stephani spoke exclusively to Us about the pressure of competing on the show while her brother is already a pro on Dancing With the Stars. (Stephani was previously part of the DWTS troupe during season 33.)
“I honestly felt like I was treated like everyone else,” she shared earlier this month. “I definitely feel like the experience for me wasn’t easy. It was very hard, and I definitely feel like they expected a lot more from me because I was Ezra’s sister.”
Stephani noted she “had a lot more to prove,” adding, “I went in being like, ‘Yeah, I’ve done this. I am Ezra’s sister, but this is a new chapter.’ This is me proving myself fully and there are no excuses.”
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Stream new episodes the next day on Hulu.