Ezra Sosa is defending his sister, Stephani Sosa, after she accidentally injured fellow competitor Natalie Jolley on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, resulting in the contestant’s elimination.
“My sister apologized to Natalie [and] they didn’t air it,” the DWTS pro, 25, commented on a Tuesday, July 28, TikTok video showcasing the moment Stephani, 26, hit Natalie, 20, in the face during a rehearsal on the reality show.
“Also this happens all the time when you are rehearsing,” Ezra added.
The incident occurred during the Monday, July 27, episode of DWTS: The Next Pro, which follows 12 up-and-coming dancers as they live together and compete for a spot as a pro on season 35 of the flagship series.
Stephani and Natalie were dancing next to each other during a group rehearsal when the former accidentally slapped the latter, hitting her eye. Natalie was wheeled into an ambulance and forced to sit out of the episode’s remaining rehearsals and performances.
“I feel really dizzy,” Natalie said shortly after she got hit. She also struggled to breathe through her nose.
In a confessional, Stephani explained, “I don’t know what happened. The dance was moving so fast. … I just hate being the one that caused that. I feel so horrible. I know she’s worked really hard to be here, and I hope she’s OK.”
After the week’s final showcase, judge Shirley Ballas announced that the bottom two dancers — Selena Hamilton and Tristan Sanders — were safe from elimination. Instead, Natalie was sent home because she was not “medically cleared” to continue competing.
The elimination caused backlash among fans, as many argued that Stephani should have been the one to go home. The dancer has yet to publicly address the incident or criticism.
Following her exit from the show, Natalie took to Instagram to express gratitude for her time in the competition.
“First, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the love and support I’ve been receiving. It means the absolute world to me. 😭❤️,” she wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, July 29. “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.”
After noting that she “suffered a black eye and concussion in an accident” during rehearsal, Natalie said she “did everything in my power to stay in the competition, but the medical team determined that my injuries would prevent me from continuing.”
Natalie concluded, “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!!”
