Ezra Sosa shares his hopes for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Dancing With the Stars Convention in Palm Springs, California, on Friday, July 31, the pro dancer, 25, revealed which of his fellow professionals he wants to see in this season’s finale.
“I just want to see Pasha [Pashkov] in the finale, and Britt [Stewart],” he said. “There’s so many people that haven’t gotten the chance to be in the finale that I really hope they just get a front-runner so that we can see how they can truly shine as a pro.”
Sosa’s remarks come weeks after he posted a video on TikTok, in which he pointed out a pattern in the show’s pairings where some pros consistently get partnered with the top talent and make it to the finale, sparking debate.
“This is my post-workout, gym thought for the day,” Sosa began in the since-deleted video. “We’re coming into that time of year where pros are starting to get calls for next season. In my opinion, I don’t believe there is a good or a bad partner on Dancing With the Stars. I believe you’re paired with that person for a reason.”
“It’s not about the professional. It’s about giving that celebrity the best experience ever. But what I want more than anything is for the pros who don’t necessarily get front-runners to have them this season. I want to see them shine. I want to see them have that glorious moment. I want to see them in the finale. I want to see them with the mirrorball because they deserve it.”
Sosa continued, “I also think it’d be really refreshing to see pros in the finale that haven’t been there before, because when you hit that finale, and you see that freestyle, you are seeing a pro’s true creative capability.”
“I don’t need a good partner. I don’t need the best partner. I had that with Miss [Jordan] Chiles. If I got a good partner, I mean, I’m not going to complain,” he added. “I’m wanting it for those who haven’t really had the opportunity yet. I really want this to happen for them.”
During the Behind the Mirrorball panel at DWTS Con on Saturday, Aug. 1, executive producers Deena Katz and Conrad Green explained the process for pairing each pro dancer with a celebrity contestant.
“First of all, for the fans, you guys love our pros. You see the pros, and so you want to get the pros somebody different,” Katz said. “You don’t want the same pro to always have a top player or whatever because you want to see them doing something different. And, it makes it exciting and better for them.”
“I always tell the celebrities that every single couple, we can see a way that they can make the finals,” she added.
Green added that they don’t know the season’s pairings until the first rehearsal, where producers can see the chemistry between the pros and the stars.
Teasing what fans can expect from season 35 of DWTS, Green shared that the cast will be “bigger” than last season. The complete cast list will be announced on Good Morning America on Sept. 3.
Dancing With the Stars season 35 will kick off with a two-night premiere event on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Wednesday, Sept. 16.
