Dancing With the Stars dancer Ezra Sosa agrees with the judges’ assessment of his TikTok Night routine with Olympian Jordan Chiles—and he’s prepared to lower his stance on the dance floor.
“I realize I can utilize my plié more effectively,” the 24-year-old shared exclusively with Us Weekly after their performance on Tuesday, September 30. “I have flexible legs, so it’s likely safe to say I can bend my knees a bit more for better execution.”
The pair captivated the audience with their tango to Doechii’s track “Anxiety,” impressing judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough. They received a round of applause along with some constructive criticism.
“I must say, I was truly impressed with how you maintained your frame despite the height difference,” Derek, 40, remarked to both dancers. “Looking ahead, I suggest Ezra try to get a touch lower to assist Jordan. But Jordan, you transformed anxiety into a work of art tonight.”
Ezra and Jordan achieved a score of 24 out of 30, placing them at the top of the judges’ leaderboard, tied with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt and pro Mark Ballas. Meanwhile, Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui and pro Brandon Armstrong were eliminated after tying at the bottom with comedian Andy Richter and pro Emma Slater.
This score marked the highest achievement for Ezra and Jordan, following previous scores of 10 out of 20 on Premiere Night and 22 out of 30 during One-Hit Wonder Night.
Post-performance on Tuesday, Jordan appeared emotional, seen wiping tears from her eyes. She later shared with Us that those feelings stemmed from the ability to convey not just her experiences as an athlete but also to liberate herself through dance.
“Dancing is art,” Jordan, 24, expressed. “Being able to engage creatively in this artistic expression on the dance floor made me incredibly happy.”
As they continue to perform, Jordan expressed that her confidence has been building with each passing week.
“In the first week, I felt like I was just dipping my toes into the water. By weeks two and three, I was able to implement the feedback the judges gave, enabling continuous growth. I’m approaching each week with a competitive mindset as this journey unfolds, focusing on our progression,” she elaborated.
Looking forward in the competition, Jordan shared her eagerness to attempt more complex moves in her routines. Ezra, however, playfully suggested that she might need to exercise a little caution as they tackle more challenging elements.
“Honestly, she should be cautious at times, but that’s one of her greatest strengths: her fearlessness,” Ezra told Us. “That characteristic is what brought her to this level of competition.”
Dancing With the Stars can be seen on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Keep scrolling for a complete rundown of each couple’s scores from TikTok Night:
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