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- What happened during rehearsal: a fast choreography, a painful mistake
- How the show handled the injury and elimination rules
- Natalie Jolley’s statement and emotional goodbye
- Stephani Sosa responds: guilt, perspective and pressure
- Behind the scenes: medical protocol and production steps
- Where to watch and show details
On the July 27 episode of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, rehearsal turned alarming when Stephani Sosa accidentally struck fellow competitor Natalie Jolley. The moment left Natalie hurt, led to urgent medical attention and ultimately forced her to exit the competition.
What happened during rehearsal: a fast choreography, a painful mistake
Contestants were running through a group routine when movement sped up. Stephani swung her arm and unexpectedly made contact with Natalie’s face.
Ezra Sosa’s sister Stephani accidentally injures DWTS Next Pro contestant, then makes shocking exit
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Production saw Natalie crying and asked her to step aside. She reported dizziness and swelling near one eye. When she told producers she could not breathe through her nose, an ambulance was summoned.
Immediate reactions from those on set
- Natalie Jolley was visibly upset and taken for a medical evaluation.
- Stephani Sosa said she did not realize the hit had caused harm until Natalie cried.
- Producers and medical staff intervened quickly and reassured Natalie with pain relief and breathing support.
How the show handled the injury and elimination rules
Because Natalie was not cleared to continue, the judges adjusted the elimination plans for the night. Shirley Ballas informed the cast that no one in the group would be eliminated that episode.
She also announced that Natalie had been medically eliminated from the competition due to her injury. The ruling meant the rest of the group would remain in the show for the following week.
Natalie Jolley’s statement and emotional goodbye
Natalie addressed viewers and fellow contestants before leaving. She expressed disappointment at having to withdraw, but said protecting her health mattered most.
- She promised to focus on recovery so she could dance again in the future.
- She thanked her teammates and shared her affection for them.
Stephani Sosa responds: guilt, perspective and pressure
In a confessional, Stephani described feeling devastated by the incident. She emphasized she never intended to hurt anyone during rehearsal.
Stephani is the sister of pro dancer Ezra Sosa and previously danced as part of the DWTS troupe in season 33. Before the show began, she spoke about the added expectations that come from being a relative of a well-known pro.
Her take on expectations and proving herself
- She said she felt judged more harshly because of her family connection.
- She described the series as a new chapter and an opportunity to show her own capabilities.
- Despite the mishap, she emphasized that she cares deeply about her fellow competitors.
Behind the scenes: medical protocol and production steps
When a contestant reports breathing issues or facial trauma on live production, standard protocol calls for immediate medical assessment. Producers removed Natalie from rehearsals for evaluation.
An ambulance was called after she reported nasal breathing trouble. Medics provided pain control and assessed whether she could safely perform.
Where to watch and show details
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Episodes become available to stream the next day on Hulu.
