DWTS: Next Pro Stephani Sosa Speaks Out on Natalie Jolley’s Injury
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro star Stephani Sosa has spoken out following an accidental injury to now-eliminated participant Natalie Jolley.
“That was incredibly tough for me,” Stephani, 26, shared during the Thursday, July 30, episode of the “Viall Files” podcast. “I know Natalie personally; we trained at the same dance studio, and it truly broke my heart to see her exit the competition early.”
She went on to say, “It was a particularly challenging week for me because I felt awful, and she’s such an amazing dancer in person. It was really difficult for me.”
Stephani accidentally hit Natalie, 20, in the face while practicing for a group performance on the Monday, July 27, episode of The Next Pro. After receiving a black eye, Natalie was eliminated from the contest based on medical recommendations.
“I went up to her to check on her,” Stephani reflected during Thursday’s episode. “I expressed my apologies because I felt terrible. I know how hard she worked to be there; we all put in a lot of effort, so seeing her go was heartbreaking. I’m just sending her so much love.”
In the months following the conclusion of The Next Pro, Stephani has reconnected with Natalie.
“We actually collaborated before the show aired,” Stephani mentioned. “She’s like a little sister to me. It’s adorable.”
Stephani, sister to DWTS pro Ezra Sosa and a former troupe dancer herself, joined The Next Pro in hopes of returning to the ballroom for the upcoming season 35.
“It would mean the world to me. As children, my family made numerous sacrifices for [Ezra and I] to dance, and achieving that dream would be extraordinary,” Stephani expressed about potentially becoming a pro on the cherished dance show. “We used to gather as a family to watch it, and then Ezra and I would say, ‘That’s going to be us.’”
Stephani mentioned that she was able to “live that dream” during her time in the troupe following Ezra’s own transition to pro.
“That year was astonishing,” she reminisced. “If I don’t win [The Next Pro], I would still love to be part of the show in any capacity. It’s my dream to be on that show, and being in the troupe was the ultimate dream come true for me. I feel like Ezra and I are destined to work together, as we’ve always done this side by side. If — heaven forbid — I’m not part of it, I want to continue my journey and grow. I learned so much from last year, and even participating in Next Pro, I evolved a lot as both a person and a dancer. I just want to see how far I can go, and whatever is meant for me is my path.”
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.
