Natalie Jolley, a competitor on the reality series “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” was eliminated from the show during the episode that aired on July 27. This decision came in the wake of an unfortunate incident where fellow contestant Stephani Sosa accidentally struck Jolley in the face during a rehearsal, resulting in a black eye and a concussion.
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Following her elimination, Jolley took to social media on July 29 to express her heartfelt gratitude to her supporters while reflecting on her experience. The young dancer, aged 20, stated, “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 conveyed that participating in “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro” had been a significant honour and, despite her abrupt exit, she was leaving the show filled with gratitude for the opportunity.
In her post, Jolley explained her determination to remain in the competition but acknowledged the medical team’s decision, which was based on her injuries. “I did everything in my power to stay,” she noted, highlighting her commitment to the contest. This was her debut experience dancing on a commercial platform, and while it initially intimidated her, she expressed that her confidence blossomed over time. “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!”
Reflecting on her time on the show, Jolley shared her appreciation for the friendships she formed and the various experiences encountered. “I’m so grateful for the time I was able to spend in the house and on stage,” she said, emphasising the personal growth she achieved through the challenges faced. Furthermore, she conveyed a philosophical view of her elimination, stating, “I truly believe everything happens for a reason, even when it’s hard to understand in the moment.”
The young dancer concluded her emotional message with a reminder to herself and her fans: “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!”
During the episode, when judge Shirley Ballas announced Jolley’s departure, she took a moment to say goodbye to her fellow competitors and the judging panel. Jolley expressed sadness at not being able to continue but reiterated the importance of caring for her physical health in order to dance again in the future. “I love all of you so, so, so much, and I’m going to miss you all. Thank you so much,” she concluded.
The incident surrounding Jolley’s injury led to an online discussion, with some fans expressing criticism towards Stephani Sosa. In response to this backlash, Ezra Sosa, Stephani’s brother, came to her defence via a comment on a TikTok video shared by a “Dancing With the Stars” fan account. He remarked, “My sister apologised to Natalie; they didn’t air it. Also, this happens all the time when you are rehearsing,” attempting to highlight the nature of competitive dance and the inherent risks involved.
In a further display of support, Ezra shared a video of himself and Stephani reacting to the moment in the episode where the accident occurred. His commentary, capturing both concern and humour, indicated his awareness of the seriousness of the situation while maintaining a light-hearted approach.
Stephani Sosa herself revealed her remorse during a confessional on the programme, stating, “I just hate being the one that caused that. Like, I just feel horrible. I know she’s worked really hard to be here, and I hope she’s okay.”
Jolley’s elimination marks her as the third contestant to leave “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” following Benjamin Castro and Briar Nolet. The show continues to air on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu.