Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa kick-started their Dancing With The Stars journey on a high. In their debut performance, the duo impressed the judges significantly and earned a prestigious 24 out of 30. However, the early momentum was soon accompanied by an unexpected controversy. And surely enough, it captured the audience’s attention.

The fiasco came to light when Chiles appeared to walk away from the stage while officials were tallying scores. Moreover, the announcement for the professional dancers’ tour next year was also underway. Some viewers quickly interpreted the gesture as a sign of attitude or tension with Sosa. Fans immediately started to question the gymnast’s professionalism. They also speculated largely about Chiles’ relationship with Sosa. 

In response, Ezra Sosa took to social media to clarify the situation. He addressed the growing negativity head-on. Sosa said, “Okay, you guys. I didn’t feel like I needed to make this video until today. I’ve been seeing things circulating about my partner online, claiming that she is a mean girl, claiming that I’m not having a good time with her. Honestly, it couldn’t be further from the truth.” Sosa explained that the timing of Chiles’ exit was dictated by production, not by any personal conflict.

“After we got our scores, when we checked it and we rehearsed it, they told Jordan that she needed to move immediately after our scores because then they needed to announce tour. Personally, I don’t think that was a good time to do it because when you look back at it, she’s gonna take direction and she’s gonna leave the shot.”

Chiles also spoke directly to her fans, emphasizing that the situation was overblown and that her relationship with Sosa remains strong. She wrote on Instagram, “I think it’s crazy how people can make a situation so big and out of proportion when all I was doing was following the rules.”

Addressing another moment that drew attention, she added, “When me and Ezra got saved idk why you guys think me laughing and saying put me down was rude and that all of a sudden I am a mean girl. Me and [Ezra Sosa] relationship is perfectly fine. We laugh, joke and I’m pretty sure you can tell our connection is pretty good through our social media.” Their scores kept them safe in week four, where they currently share the second rank alongside Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovsky, and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten.

Surely, the controversy drew significant attention. But Sosa and Chiles have made it clear that their partnership is founded on mutual respect. As Sosa concluded, “We’re allowed to be our own individual selves and sometimes our dynamic may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is certainly mine and we’re on this journey together and it is so special and I’m gonna do everything in my power to make sure that it is reflected as such.” And in the mean time as Bruno Tonioli crowned Jordan Chiles “dance royalty,” she and Ezra Sosa met the moment with disbelief, pride, and quiet joy.

Jordan Chiles’ has just been described as “dance royalty” with Ezra Sosa

Jordan Chiles was just left startled and delighted! And shouldn’t she be? Bruno Tonioli just addressed her as “dance royalty” on DWTS. The Olympic champion took some time to register the full weight of the compliment. Tonioli’s description, “Wicked, bright, vivacious, and yet always elegant”, framed the evening’s quickstep as a turning point.

Adding to that, Derek Hough told the gymnastics queen, “I hope you feel like a princess because you looked absolutely beautiful out there.”

For Chiles and Ezra Sosa, the acknowledgment carried a value that went way beyond the scorecard. Chiles later reflected on what the night represented, noting that portraying Tiana, the first Black Disney princess, was really personal.

Chiles shared, “It means so much,” she said. “Being able to represent that means so much. And having a legit Prince Naveen—Ezra did his thing.” And now fans would just be waiting to witness more of Chiles’s magic with her dance partner on the stage of DWTS as they aim for the mirrorball trophy.