Ezra Sosa has made it clear that Julia Stiles has nothing to be ashamed of after their latest Dancing With the Stars performance received a disappointing score. The professional dancer shared an emotional tribute to his celebrity partner, revealing the difficult circumstances they faced in the days leading up to Horror Movie Night.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, October 29, Sosa praised the 45-year-old actress for her determination, explaining that an injury, lost rehearsal time and last-minute choreography changes made their week one of the toughest of the competition.
“This one is for you, Julia. ❤️,” the 25-year-old began. “I hope you take a moment to remind yourself just how incredibly proud you should be of what you accomplished this past week. I don’t think people will ever fully understand what it took just to get you onto that ballroom floor.”
Julia Stiles and Ezra SosaDisney/Andrew Eccles
An Injury and Last-Minute Changes Made Rehearsals Difficult
According to Sosa, Stiles continued pushing herself despite dealing with an incredibly painful injury. The pair also lost two full days of rehearsal and had to rework practically their entire routine, including changing its opening just one day before the live show.
He described Stiles as a “firecracker,” emphasizing that she remained determined to perform despite the physical challenges.
“Even through the pain, all she wanted to do was keep going. I was literally the one having to tell her to STOP and rest. That’s just who she is. She gives everything she has,” he wrote.
Disney/Christopher Willard
What impressed him most was that Stiles returned to rehearsal immediately after the performance, ready to work even harder.
Sosa said he wished the actress could see herself through his eyes, describing her as a woman with tremendous strength, heart and determination who refuses to give up even when circumstances are against her.
Their Argentine Tango Receives 26 Out of 40 Points
Stiles and Sosa opened the Tuesday, October 27, Halloween-themed episode with an Argentine tango inspired by the horror film The Omen.
The weeks leading up to the performance had not been entirely smooth. Rehearsal footage showed a tense exchange between the partners, with Stiles telling Sosa that she did not “respond well to frustration.”
The pair eventually worked through the disagreement. Stiles even jokingly called her professional partner “a cranky bitch,” suggesting that they had managed to move past the awkward moment.
However, their performance received mixed feedback from the judging panel.
Carrie Ann Inaba felt that Stiles appeared “stiff” during the routine, while Derek Hough described the performance as “timid.” Guest judge Shirley Ballas awarded the pair a 4, contributing to their overall score of 26 out of 40.
Although it was not their strongest result of the season, Sosa made clear that the score did not change how he viewed his partner or her efforts.
Sosa Says Their Partnership Means More Than Scores
In the emotional Instagram message, Sosa explained that his respect for Stiles had never depended on perfect performances or high scores.
“I don’t love and respect you because of our scores or how perfectly a routine goes. I love and respect you because of who you are when things DON’T go perfectly,” he wrote.
He added that years from now, he would not remember the numbers awarded by the judges. Instead, he would remember how hard Stiles fought to make it onto the ballroom floor and how they overcame the difficult week together.
“I’m so proud to be your partner, but even more grateful to be your friend. I love you, Julia. ❤️ @missjuliastiles,” he concluded.
The message offered a glimpse into the bond the two have developed throughout the competition, showing that their partnership extends beyond learning choreography and performing for the judges.
Stiles and Sosa Avoid Elimination
Despite their relatively low score, Stiles and Sosa survived the double elimination and secured their place in the competition.
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, along with Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, were sent home before the upcoming Disney Night episode.
For Sosa, the outcome was clearly not the most important part of the week. His message focused instead on Stiles’ resilience and the effort she put into delivering a performance despite the obstacles she faced.
Their journey on Dancing With the Stars continues, with Sosa making one thing clear: he is proud of his partner regardless of what the judges’ scorecards say.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.