Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa struggled to hide their emotions following their elimination from Dancing With the Stars during Monday’s Disney Night. Their heartfelt interviews revealed just how much the experience meant to them.
Ezra Sosa tears up while praising Julia Stiles after DWTS elimination
The actress and her professional partner were eliminated during the November 2 episode after performing a paso doble to “Satisfied” from Hamilton. Despite their exit, both reflected positively on their journey.
During an interview with ABC’s On the Red Carpet, Stiles became visibly emotional. “I will always have that with me,” she said. She added, “I’m really, really glad that we were able to go out with a bang.”
The 45-year-old actress also admitted she would miss her partner. “I’m really sad because I’m gonna miss seeing this guy every day,” she said.
Sosa, 25, also fought back tears while discussing their partnership. “She made me a better person. Oh, I’m gonna cry!” he admitted. He then praised Stiles for changing his approach to teaching and choreography.
The professional dancer reflected on what he learned from her. “Just your openness and your honesty, really — it touched me in so many ways,” he said. He also felt lucky to have shared the experience.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the actress credited the competition with boosting her confidence and helping her discover newfound strength. She also described the experience as incredibly enjoyable.
Their elimination also followed several challenging weeks. Stiles had been struggling with a recurring rib injury during rehearsals and even became emotional over the pain before Monday’s performance.
The pair also experienced some playful tension during rehearsals. Stiles called Sosa a “cranky b*tch” while discussing his coaching approach. He acknowledged pushing her too hard but praised her determination.
Their partnership proved meaningful for both dancers. Stiles described competing with Sosa as an “absolute honor.” Their heartfelt farewell showed that their connection extended beyond the competition.
