Ezra Sosa is heading into the final weeks of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 alongside partner Julia Stiles, and he says he is already lobbying for his next pairing to be a same-sex one. The pro told OUT that he "put in my word" with the ABC dance competition's casting director to be matched with a male partner for an upcoming season.
"I'm working my magic! I definitely want that 100% to happen," Sosa said. "That's actually been my dream ever since I joined the show. I've been so passionate about same-sex dancing in general, especially being part of the queer community. I've put in my word to the casting director. We'll see what happens overtime."
The series has featured same-sex pairings before. In 2021, JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson became the show's first same-sex pairing since its 2005 premiere, and Shangela and Gleb Savchenko followed in 2022. This season, Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills became the third such pairing but were eliminated in Week 1.
Sosa, who is in his third season as a pro, also spoke about what representation means to him in his choreography. "Every single time I choreograph on the show, I'll always nod to my community or pop culture. Representation truly does matter," he said. "When I joined the show, I never thought there would be a space for an openly gay pro to be on Dancing with the Stars. I'm very lucky to be here."
Sosa and Stiles enter Week 8, billed as "Disney Night," with a cumulative score of 62. Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson lead the field with a 76.
Sources: Deadline.