Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro contestant Natalie Jolley has reunited with Stephani Sosa after suffering a controversial injury during the reality TV competition.
In an Instagram Reel posted on Saturday, August 1, Stephani, 26, danced alongside Natalie, 20, and fellow contestant Jake Monreal at Dancing With the Stars Con in Palm Springs, California.
“We made it 🤍🥹🥰 @dancingwiththestars @thenataliejolley @jakemonreal33,” Stephani captioned the clip.
Days prior to the appearance, DWTS: The Next Pro aired an episode in which Stephani accidentally struck Natalie in the face while the pair were rehearsing for a group number. Natalie sustained a black eye and was eliminated from the competition at the advice of medical professionals.
“That was really hard for me,” Stephani recalled during the Thursday, July 30, episode of the “Viall Files” podcast. “I know Natalie, like, personally. We went to the same dance studio, and it just broke my heart that she left the competition early.”
She continued, “It was a really hard week for me because I just felt horrible, and she’s such a beautiful dancer in person. It was really hard for me.”
Stephani, the sister of DWTS pro Ezra Sosa and previous troupe dancer herself, explained that she went up to Natalie to “check on her” after the incident.
“I was just telling her how sorry I am ‘cause I felt so bad. I know how hard she’s worked to be there, you know, we all worked really hard, so that broke my heart. I’m just sending her so much love,” Stephani said.
The twosome have since reconnected after the show. “We actually worked together before the show [came out],” Stephani added. “She’s like a little sis. It’s cute.”
Natalie, for her part, issued a statement after her elimination and thanked fans for the “love and support” she had been receiving since.
“Being part of @dancingwiththestars The Next Pro has been one of the biggest honors of my life, and although my time on the show ended unexpectedly, I’m walking away with so much gratitude for this opportunity. Sadly, during rehearsals, I suffered a black eye and a concussion in an accident. I did everything in my power to stay in the competition, but the medical team determined that my injuries would prevent me from continuing,” she wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, July 29. “This was my first experience dancing on commercial television, and while I was definitely intimidated at first, I found my confidence as the days went on. If there’s one thing this experience has taught me, it’s to do the scary thing. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations and watch yourself grow!”
She continued, “I’m so grateful for the time I was able to spend in the house and on stage—for the experiences, the challenges, and the people I met who I now call family🥹❤️. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, even when it’s hard to understand in the moment. I’m choosing to trust the process, keep moving forward, and believe that what’s meant for me will always find me. I know this is only the beginning as I continue to learn, grow, and come back even stronger!!”
In the comments section, Stephani added, “I love you so much ❤️.”
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.
