Stephani Sosa

Summary

The Danielle Fishel Shows

Episode: Stephani Sosa
Date: August 9, 2026
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts
Guest: Stephanie Sosa, Next Pro contestant and Dancing with the Stars alum

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Episode Overview

This episode features dancer Stephanie Sosa, fresh from her run on "Next Pro" (a competitive dance reality show and sibling to "Dancing with the Stars"). Danielle Fishel and her co-host welcome Stephanie to discuss her experience on the show, personal growth, dynamics in the competition house, and the challenges and surprises of her journey. The conversation is candid and supportive, blending behind-the-scenes insight with reflections on personal and artistic development.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Stephanie’s "Next Pro" Experience and Takeaways

• Immediate Growth & Transformation:
  • Stephanie describes the experience as hugely transformative:

  “I left a different person…even watching it back, it was also very eye opening for me as well. So, yeah, I feel like the whole experience for me was just growth.” (03:00 – Stephanie Sosa)

  • She notes how watching herself on TV offered a new perspective compared to her lived experience.
• Personal Accountability:
  • Stephanie reflects on handling herself well, acknowledging she has not always done so in the past:

  “You as a person have displayed yourself perfectly.” (03:30 – Dance Coach/Commentator)
  “Thank you. Means a lot coming from me.” (04:05 – Stephanie Sosa)

Living in the Dance Competition House

• Roommate Life & Social Dynamics:
  • For Stephanie, living with other contestants was a first, as she’d only ever shared space with family before. She recalls adapting to different personalities and emotions, learning about boundaries and making new friends:

  “It was hard for me because I’ve never lived with anyone other than Ezra or my family, so I was, like, experiencing first things for myself.” (06:32 – Stephanie Sosa)
  “Different personalities, different energy, different things that make people upset. Learning how to…be respectful, but also put boundaries was a big thing.” (07:08 – Stephanie Sosa)

  • Stephanie and Nina, her roommate, bonded by venting to each other. She also grew close to Tristan—the two became her closest friends in the house.
• Lack of Privacy:
  • There was literally no place to be alone or decompress:

  “No. That’s the thing. I didn’t. And I kind of wish I would have found that on the show...I’m such a family person.” (07:58 – Stephanie Sosa)

The Pressure of the Competition

• Comparison to Dancing with the Stars:
  • Stephanie asserts that "Next Pro" was even more grueling than her prior competitive experiences:

  “It’s probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life…We had to choreograph in two days, like, on this show, I feel like it’s a little bit longer.” (08:54 – Stephanie Sosa)

• Restricted Rehearsal:
  • Time to rehearse was strictly limited—contrary to the show’s edited appearance:

  “We go in rehearsal, they start the clock, and then as soon as over, like, they came and did a wide, and it was like...And then if they saw you rehearsing in the house, then they would stop you and be like, you will—We will. You will get in trouble.” (09:31-09:47 – Stephanie Sosa)

• No Access to Phones or Outside Resources:
  • Contestants had no phones or internet, so no access to videos for inspiration or communication with family:

  “They took our phones, which is also really hard because...I had no—like, literally just my talent and my brother in the room. My brain.” (10:43 – Stephanie Sosa)

Regrets & Emotional Moments

• Regret About Confidence:
  • Stephanie shares her main regret:

  “I would say my losing my confidence. I feel like I’m a pretty confident person, but that week for me was just really hard mentally, and I think I let it get to me a little bit. And that’s probably my only regret, just not being able to keep that fire going.” (05:18 – Stephanie Sosa)

• Support System:
  • Jenna, a mentor and family friend, was emotionally invested in Stephanie's journey.

Partnerships, Eliminations, and Fairness

• Paired with Tristan—Unique Challenges:
  • Stephanie was paired with Tristan in her final week, the contestant with least ballroom experience:

  “When we started, it was an uphill battle for sure, because I know he was, like, kind of upset at me still, and I knew. I just really wanted to, like, have that connection. But we do work well together.” (14:30 – Stephanie Sosa)

• Unfair Elimination?:
  • Both hosts and Stephanie openly discuss if the couple’s elimination was fair considering the format:

  “I think having a couple’s elimination wasn’t exactly fair. Mine too, because this is about finding one next pro…a partner can make or break you…Tristan did bring you down in this scenario.” (15:15 – Host)
  “You’re only as good as your partner. That’s kind of the…juxtaposition here.” (15:46 – Dance Coach/Commentator)

• What Ifs:
  • The hosts wonder what might have been possible if Stephanie had a different partner:

  “It immediately gets you thinking, what if [Alan] had been your partner?” (16:25 – Interviewer/Host)

Hidden Sides & What Viewers Didn’t See

• Personality Off Stage:
  • Stephanie wishes the show had included more of their real personalities and inter-personal moments:

  “There was a lot of funny things that would happen that I feel like people would love to see.” (18:35 – Stephanie Sosa)

• House Relationships:
  • The house, affectionately called "the villa," hosted a genuine romantic connection—Eric and Brian are now dating:

  “Yeah, like, there’s, like, couple people that left the—we call it the villa—but then they’re, like, dating now…” (19:44 – Stephanie Sosa)

Support from Family & Community

• Bond with Ezra:
  • Stephanie’s brother Ezra is described as her biggest cheerleader:

  “Being able to show him, like, my dances and just have him love them really meant a lot to me because we did go through a lot together growing up.” (20:43 – Stephanie Sosa)

• Pride in Representation:
  • Stephanie felt honored performing alongside other Latinx dancers during the Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance:

  “It was the first time that I felt like I was around people that, like, spoke Spanish and were from all different parts of…the country…that whole process too was really beautiful.” (21:45 – Stephanie Sosa)

Looking to the Future

• What's Next?:
  • While uncertain about her future with "Dancing with the Stars," Stephanie plans to keep working hard and remain open to opportunities:

  “I just wanna keep showing up and just seeing what happens and what sticks because I’m a firm believer that everything does happen for a reason…If it’s meant to be my path, it will.” (22:48 – Stephanie Sosa)

  • The hosts affirm her success beyond competition:

  “You did not win the show…but you still won so many things along the way. Including, you won me over. If I have a gig, I would happily love to share space with you.” (23:17 – Dance Coach/Commentator)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Growth & Transformation:
  • “I left a different person...watching it back, it was also...very eye-opening for me.” (03:00 – Stephanie Sosa)
• On Regrets:
  • “My only regret, just not being able to keep that fire going.” (05:18 – Stephanie Sosa)
• On Competition Fairness:
  • “A partner can make or break you…Tristan did bring you down in this scenario.” (15:15 – Interviewer/Host)
• On Missing Out On Fun House Content:
  • “There was a lot of funny things that would happen that I feel like people would love to see.” (18:35 – Stephanie Sosa)
• On Family:
  • “Being able to show [Ezra] my dances and...just have him love them...really meant a lot to me.” (20:43 – Stephanie Sosa)
• On the Bad Bunny Super Bowl Experience:
  • “It was the first time that I felt like I was around people that...spoke Spanish and were from all different parts of...the country...it was really healing for me.” (21:45 – Stephanie Sosa)
• On the Future:
  • “I just wanna keep showing up...If it’s meant to be my path, it will. And if not, then I’ll just continue going. But I’m just, like, really proud of how far I’ve come...” (22:48 – Stephanie Sosa)
• On Winning Beyond the Show:
  • “The point was to win the show. But you still won so many things along the way.” (23:17 – Dance Coach/Commentator)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction of Stephanie Sosa & Initial Reflections: 02:14–03:30
• Growth and Transformation: 03:00–04:08
• Living in the Competition House: 06:06–08:34
• Comparisons to "Dancing with the Stars" / Competition Pressures: 08:34–10:03
• Regrets & Emotional Challenges: 05:16–05:46, 14:10–16:56
• Behind-the-Scenes Insights: 09:31–10:43, 18:35–19:44
• Discussion of Partnerships & Elimination Format: 14:10–17:18
• AJ and House Dynamics: 17:18–18:19
• Support & Family: 20:33–21:15
• Bad Bunny Super Bowl Performance: 21:35–22:16
• Stephanie's Future & Final Words: 22:25–24:27

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Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is warm, candid, and empowering. Stephanie Sosa radiates humility, gratitude, and maturity, while the hosts and commentators blend genuine support with behind-the-scenes curiosity. The episode offers valuable, real-world insight into the competitive dance world—emphasizing themes of personal growth, resilience, and the importance of community and self-reflection.

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Summary Takeaway

Stephanie Sosa’s journey through "Next Pro" was about much more than competition. It was a crucible for growth—both as a dancer and a young woman navigating new social terrain, the pressures of editing and reality TV, and her own resilience. Her takeaways highlight personal accountability, the power of community, life lessons from setbacks, and an openness to whatever the next chapter may bring. The episode leaves listeners inspired by Stephanie's optimism, humility, and determination—whether or not she returns to the ballroom.

Transcript

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[Sponsor Voice]

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[Stephanie Sosa]

Wait, I came in for two things.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

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[Interviewer/Host]

Well, Val, we have our very first actual Next Pro contestant with us this week.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Wow.

[Interviewer/Host]

Someone very near and dear to the Dancing with the Stars family. Please welcome to Stepping on Toes. Stephanie Sosa.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

Hi.

[Stephanie Sosa]

I'm so excited.

[Interviewer/Host]

First, congratulations. Thank you. Your appearance on Next Pro. It is no shock to me but we loved watching you dance.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

Every week. And I know the viewers agreed with us.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Now that you've had a chance to settle in, the episodes have aired, you're no longer on the show. What's your overall takeaway about the experience?

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Wow. Straight to it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Straight to it. Tell me.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

Okay. Okay.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Now, I would say, like, a lot of growth. Like, I feel like even before I even went to Next pro, I feel like I grew a lot. And then through that process, I, like. I don't know, I left a different, different person. And even, like, watching it back, it was also, like, very eye opening for me as well. So, yeah, I feel like the whole experience for me was just growth. Like, I. I'm very happy with how everything, like, ended up. Like, I. I feel like I've come to, like, I don't know, I'm like, everything's meant to happen for a reason. And I just, like, I'm excited just to keep growing and just keep going.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

So that's great because you have. I mean, I have contacts. Just because I know you for longer than the audience of Next pro. And yeah, I mean, I was telling Danielle, I'm so proud of the way you handled yourself, you know, not just as a performer, dancer. I think your pedigree is up there. Obviously, you need to continue to grow. We all do. But you as a person have displayed yourself perfectly.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

I'm proud of that. Because you haven't always.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah. No.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

So I. Like I said, we talk about growth. I'm just. The way you handled yourself was a plus. And I said I'd work with her any day.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you. Means a lot coming from me, so.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

Yes.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

So you mentioned being able to watch the show back and learning things from watching the show back. You have been able to watch the show back with your brother Ezra.

[Stephanie Sosa]

He's made it like a weekly thing. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

I love that. And so you guys watch together every week. What have been some of the things that you know? Cause we all know, we've all worked in TV now for years, editing. You don't know what you're. You know, what your experience was while you were there. But obviously you're being recorded every single day, second of every day. So you don't know what moments are gonna make it to TV and what moments are gonna make it to the cutting room floor.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

What has been your impression of your experience there? What have you learned from watching it now that it's been on tv?

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah, it definitely is like an out of body Experience. Cause I know I. The emotions I felt in that moment, like, were very different when I was watching. And like, even, like, I'd say, like, on camera, like, some of the dancing, like, I thought I was, like, super full out, but then watching it back, sometimes I'm like, oh, you know, just like, little things like that. But I think, yeah, it definitely was, like, really fun for me to watch it back and just, like, relive some of those, like, motions that I was going through because each week was crazy. Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Any regrets?

[Stephanie Sosa]

Any regrets? Yeah, I would say my losing my confidence. I think that last week for me, like, I feel like I'm a pretty confident person, but that week for me was just really hard mentally, and I think I let it get to me a little bit. And that's probably my only regret, just not being able to keep that fire going.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah. Jen was, like, tearing watching that.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Even watching it back now because, I mean, obviously she lived through it live and she came back and kind of shared her experience on tour.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

But watching it back now in person. Yeah. I mean, she was so sad for you because you guys go even further back and she knows you as a kid and. And the way you are as a. As a person. I feel like you never lost that youthful energy that you had, so. Yeah. So she was, like, really feeling it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Jenna definitely knows me since I was a little girl, so.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, you've been known by so many people since you were a little girl that you feel like everybody's little sister. I want to know a little bit about the house and all living together, and I'm like, I'm happy that dancing, of course, is the focus and that it didn't turn into Love Island. But, like, also, tell me about living with your dance opponents with that much pressure circling around you.

[Stephanie Sosa]

It was hard for me because I've never lived with anyone other than Ezra or my family, so I was, like, experiencing first things for myself. And we had roommates, and I wish that they would have shown that more, but I was Nina's roommate, so having to navigate, like, everyone's, like, emotions as well. Like, we would all go to rehearsal and go and sit in the dinner table, like, and it's just. It's crazy. Like, I've never had that before. Usually you can go and, like, decompress.

[Interviewer/Host]

Totally.

[Stephanie Sosa]

But it was. It was cool. It was very eye opening for me too. I was like, oh, wow. I also grew in that way too. Like, as a person.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

I was like, okay, yes, these type of people exist.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

This is what they're like in the morning.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Different personalities, different energy. Like, different things that make people upset. Like, learning how to, like, not, you know, be respectful, but also, like, put boundaries. Like, was, like, a big thing, too.

[Interviewer/Host]

When you say you had a roommate. Yes. You guys literally shared, like, a room. Like, there were two beds in the same room.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah. Like a bunk bed.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Who got the top bunk?

[Sponsor Voice]

Nina.

[Stephanie Sosa]

She let me have the bottom, so I was, like, really happy.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, my gosh. Because when you have a roommate and you live in an apart apartment together, usually you're not sharing a room. You usually. Unless you're on the bus, you have your own space that even if you work with your roommate and then you come home to the same house, you can walk into your bedroom and close the door and have, like, huh. I don't want. I can just be with myself. But to then be sharing a room, there's literally nowhere.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah. Did you have a place that you would go zone out by yourself?

[Stephanie Sosa]

No. That's the thing. I didn't. And I kind of wish I would have found that on the show because, like, I'm very much a fan. Like, usually I'll call Ezra, like, after a rehearsal, or, like, I'll call my people. So not being able to have that in the house was really hard because I'm used to. I'm such a family person. So I. But I was really grateful because me and Nina did, like. We did, like, vent to each other a lot of the time. So it was nice to have her around me, like, in the house and everything. So. Yeah. I also got really close. Close to Tristan, so he was also somebody I'd go to and be like, how are you feeling? Like, right. So. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

So would you say Tristan and Nina were, like, your two best friends in the house or. Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay. Those were the two you connected with the most, considering, you know, the stress of Dancing with the Stars firsthand. You have been there. What was this process like in comparison to that show? You've got two days to nail a routine in front of Shirley Ballas isn't chill.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

So how do you think the stress level compares?

[Stephanie Sosa]

Oh, my God. It's probably the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I'm not gonna lie. Cause even it was harder than sleeping and dance for me as well. Like, the fact that we had to choreograph in two days, like, on this show, I feel like it's a little bit longer.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

And then, like.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Well, and there's also resources.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

You can take a day. Go away. Hey, yo, let me borrow your body real quick. Let me see how we could work this out. And I. I believe you didn't have that right. I mean, you had your roommates, but I heard that people would stop you if. If it wasn't allocated time to rehearse. Like, they couldn't just rehearse in the kitchen when they wanted to. It was like, you get two hours, and that's all you get.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

I don't know if the show showcases.

[Stephanie Sosa]

I wish they did.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, they don't, right?

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah, it was timed. So, like, we go in rehearsal, they start the clock, and then as soon as over, like, they came and did a wide, and it was like. And then if they saw you rehearsing in the house, then they would stop you and be like, you will.

[Sponsor Voice]

You.

[Stephanie Sosa]

We will. You will get in trouble.

[Interviewer/Host]

Well, it looks like there's a home rehearsal space in, like, the garage or something.

[Stephanie Sosa]

And that one was time, too.

[Interviewer/Host]

So that counts as part of your time because actually, the way it's edited makes you believe that if you want to hustle like that, you can be rehearsing anytime you want.

[Stephanie Sosa]

No, no, no.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

That's the thing.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Like, it was so scary.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

I'm not quick, you know?

[Interviewer/Host]

Imagine us with tambourines if we only had two hours.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

You know what I mean? I'm a late bloomer, but when I bloom, I. I blossom.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

You know what I mean? I really shine. But I need every second. Second. Yeah. On their clock, like, that. That's hard.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah, it was definitely really hard. And, like, I couldn't, like, go to the other boys and be like, hey, stylucous, like, stylize wise for the guys. Like, what can I give Tristan here? Like, we were just like. But, like, we just couldn't, like, help each other, even though, like, we all really wanted to help each other. So that was hard because, like, we were all just, like, on go mode. Like, it felt like life or death.

[Interviewer/Host]

And you also didn't have your phones, right?

[Stephanie Sosa]

No.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, my gosh.

[Stephanie Sosa]

They took our phones, which is also really hard because, like, I usually will go on YouTube and, like, get ideas for a lift here or, like, I'm like, oh, musically, I kind of want to put something here. And I'm like, I had no. Like, literally just my talent and. And my brother in the room. Yeah. My brain foreign. This is Ashley from the Ben and

[Interviewer/Host]

Ashley I Almost famous podcast.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Ben.

[Interviewer/Host]

I've been reflecting a lot lately on how many big life moments our listeners have experienced with us.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah, it's pretty wild.

[Stephanie Sosa]

They've watched us go from dating shows to engagements, weddings, babies, buying homes. Every stage comes with new decisions.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

The milestones are the fun part, but the planning is where things get real.

[Stephanie Sosa]

That's why Klarna stands out.

[Interviewer/Host]

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[Dance Coach/Commentator]

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[Dance Coach/Commentator]

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[Dance Coach/Commentator]

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[Stephanie Sosa]

Wait, I came in for two things.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

How is this 47? All right, we're gonna need a plan here.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

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[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Oh, that's actually really simple.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

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[Interviewer/Host]

Okay, I want to talk about your final week, and it was unique for many reasons. You were paired with Tristan, and I don't think it's talking out of school when I say he was the least experienced in ballroom on the show.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Was it rough all week during rehearsals or did you think, oh, I think we're going to pull this off?

[Stephanie Sosa]

I will say, when we started, it was an uphill battle for sure, because I know he was, like, kind of upset at me still, and I knew. I just really wanted to, like, have that connection. But we do work well together.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Because I feel like I am also a hip hop dancer, so I kind of understand his brain when it comes to, like, choreography and, like, how he attacks choreography as well. It's like we're very similar, but yeah, the rest of rehearsals were great and we were just fighting. Like, we really just wanted to stay. Like, we were like, we just give it our all. Like, we don't know what the judges are going to be looking for. We also hadn't seen the other routines, so we just were kind of just going off of what we felt.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

It was definitely the better performance he had all season.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, for sure.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

It was a good dance. So, yeah, you did that.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

Thanks.

[Interviewer/Host]

I think, and this is just my opinion here. I think having a couple's elimination wasn't exactly fair. Mine too, because this is about finding one next pro. And it's not like you're with a celebrity and, you know, walking in with a clean slate to the art form. So, like, a partner can make or break you. And in this case, and I don't love saying it, but Tristan did bring you down in this scenario. Do you agree with me?

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

I do. Of course. I mean, you're only as good as your partner. That's the. That's kind of the. The juxtaposition here is like, yes, they're choosing one pro, but that pro skill set has to, you know, elevate the partner they're with. It's just you did, like, that's why I said that and you did that. It's just. Yeah, there was a lot of elevation elimination. I agree with you. The partner thing. Yeah. It's not. You're looking for one pro, and I didn't think that you deserve to go, so. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

I don't get what they accomplished with that.

[Interviewer/Host]

So. I know this week you posted a dance with you and Alan, and it is remarkable.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Oh, thank you.

[Interviewer/Host]

So good. Have you seen it?

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

No.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay. You have to watch it. It's out of this world. And it immediately gets you thinking, what if he had been your partner? And I'm not trying to totally make it seem like this was all Tristan's fault, because of course.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

No, no, of course it's not.

[Interviewer/Host]

But it felt like it was not Stephanie's week to go home.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

No, not at all. That's. That's the whole point. Is it because as people getting eliminated, the challenges with where they'll shine. Actually, the brightest are only coming up.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

You know, that's. The other thing is, like, we never got to see Stephanie in the episode we're going to be discussing.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

For that, you know, and that's a miss for the show and for what you could have brought to the table. Wow. Moments as far as your range, like, things like that. You know what I mean? So, yeah, it's. It's a timing and a luck thing as well, I think, is the way the cards fell.

[Sponsor Voice]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Sometimes that happens.

[Interviewer/Host]

What have you thought of AJ's journey on the show?

[Stephanie Sosa]

I think he's really qualified. Like, yeah. You know, he did strictly, and I did try to learn a lot from him. I was in the house because, like, he felt like he, likes, done it before.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

But I don't know. I feel like he's danced really well. And, you know, obviously, like, there's been, like, comments from the judges and everything, but I don't know, I try to really just focus on myself.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. I'm just curious if any of his. And maybe it's earned arrogance. Let's call it earned arrogance. He's. He's an incredible dancer. He's. Like, you said, he's kind of done this job already. Does any of that translate into his behavior in the house, or is it more just true confidence in his skills as a dancer?

[Stephanie Sosa]

I would. I would describe AJ as very posh and very confident.

[Interviewer/Host]

Okay.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Um.

[Stephanie Sosa]

But, yeah, I definitely. Yes, I just. I definitely just kept to myself. Like, there were definitely people in the house that I was, like, closer with, and he just, like, wasn't one of those people. But.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right.

[Stephanie Sosa]

I would have Loved to dance with him, though.

[Interviewer/Host]

You've already told us a couple of things that were surprising for me to hear as a viewer of the show. I did not realize this rehearsal time was so precious. What else is something that might surprise a viewer of the show? What are we not seeing?

[Stephanie Sosa]

I wish they would have shown our personalities in the house a little bit more because there was a lot of funny things that would happen that I feel like people would love to see. Yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

Just to see you guys actually connecting as. I mean, we did.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

We did see that, though. Yeah, we did see a lot. Like, one of the. My things was like, first of all, they're all very emotionally available on the show.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

To see you guys really opened up. You really just. You were very vulnerable, all of you and everybody and so many of you. Even A.J. we were talking about A.J. everybody opened up and allowed. Allowed themselves for the process.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Like, really genuinely. And you could feel that for better and for worse. But you. I really. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

That at the house. Most of what we see at the house, we saw a couple of confrontations, but to her point, there were moments of laughter and a lot of fun and maybe some bonding, similarly to the way Dancing with the Stars wants to see us at Disneyland with our partner and, you know, having a good time in the rehearsal space, laying on the floor, laughing hysterically. It would have been nice also to see some of the moments where it's a little more light and fun.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah. Especially, like, our roommates dynamics. Like, all that would have been fun. And then I know, like, there's, like, couple people that left the. Like, we call it the villa, but then they're, like, dating now, so it's, like, so cool. It's like, wow. Like, they did actually form genuine connections, so it was really cute.

[Interviewer/Host]

That is cute. I bet I know who it is.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Well, what do you mean? We could talk. We could.

[Sponsor Voice]

Okay.

[Interviewer/Host]

We do.

[Sponsor Voice]

Go for it.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

It's. It's Eric and Brian.

[Sponsor Voice]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

They're so cute. They're so perfect for each other. Yeah. Like, very. Like. Like, same thing.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

He is him.

[Interviewer/Host]

How do you know that? I didn't know that.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Well, it's on social media.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, okay. I don't follow them on social media, so. Okay, that's.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

She's like.

[Announcer]

I'm like.

[Interviewer/Host]

You guys are like. Well, yeah, because we all know. And I'm like, wait, I didn't get a text.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

No, no, no. They. They're. They're open in social. I mean, that's why I mentioned it.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

It was private.

[Interviewer/Host]

Got it very cute. We know that Ezra is your biggest cheerleader. What has it been like getting to share this experience with him?

[Stephanie Sosa]

It's been like. I don't know. I feel like, because I wasn't really on the show last year, I think being able to do next Pro kind of, like, filled that void, if that makes sense. Like, I was able to kind of experience, like, what it was, like, what would it be like if I was a pro? Having a choreograph and, like, high stakes. And so being able to show him, like, my dances and, like, and just have him, like, love them, like, it really meant a lot to me because I can be crazy, like, when I'm dancing. And so for him to, like, see them and just be, like, really proud of him, like, it really meant a lot to me because we did, like, go through a lot together growing up, so.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah, well, I got to sit next to him on a couch for the super bowl, and he was like, guys, I'm sorry. I'm gonna have to make everybody be quiet. He had his phone out. He was recording. It was so sweet. And I did want to talk to you about the Super Bowl. It's. It's obviously unrelated to next Pro, but what was it like being a part

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

of Ezra watching the Super Bowl?

[Sponsor Voice]

When was that?

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah, he would never. He would never.

[Interviewer/Host]

What was it like being a part of that Bad Bunny performance?

[Stephanie Sosa]

It was. It was phenomenal. I think I. I was, like, telling my family, like, it was. I realized it was, like, the first time that I felt like I was around people that, like, spoke Spanish and were from all different parts of, like, you know, the country, but, like, had different Latin roots, and it was really healing for me, and I. That whole process, too, was really beautiful because they also took our phones. So it felt like from, like, January up until I was done with next Pro, like, I didn't have a phone right. So it was like. It was really, like. I was so grateful, and I feel like I grew a lot on that job, so it was. It was. It was awesome.

[Interviewer/Host]

Wow. The amount of time you have spent without a phone.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah, I kind of like it. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

I know it must be hard to get to get back into using a phone.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

What do you think is next for you? Is this the end of your Dancing with the Stars journey, or are we gonna continue to see you in the ballroom? What's next for you and how can we support you?

[Stephanie Sosa]

I. I'm just gonna keep working hard and, like, every. All my dreams, like, you know, against my stars and like, acting, like, pretty much everything I can and just keep trying to grow as a person. I honestly don't know what's gonna happen with the show.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Stephanie Sosa]

But I just wanna keep showing up and just seeing what happens and what sticks because I'm a firm believer that everything does happen for a reason. If you, like, are prepared and you put the hard work in. So I'm just gonna see what happens. And, you know, if it's meant to be my path, it will. And if not, then I'll just continue going. But I'm just, like, really proud of how far I've come since, like, just growing up in Utah to this point. Like. Like, I don't know. Yeah, I'm just really proud of myself, so.

[Interviewer/Host]

You should be. We are proud of you, too.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah, you did a lot of epic stuff.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yes, you did.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah. Like that. That's the thing. And I kind of said that too. Like, yes, you did not win the show. The point was to win the show. But you still won so many things along the way. And including, you won me over. If I have a gig, I would happily love to share space with you.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Based on that show. So that's a small dub. I mean, it's not winning the show. But listen, you could win the show and. And not grow and do it one time, and then no one wants to work with you.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yep.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

You know, or you can potentially not. Not win for the win's sake and actually win an opportunity that then blossoms into a whole other career. You know, So I. I think you're winning and reflecting on your life. You should be very proud because you have accomplished epic stuff. I was at a homie's house watching the Super. I was like, yo, first of all, yes, you saw a little Alex Earl shout out Alex, but you really saw Steph the entire time.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

And your hair was out. And I was like, I know that girl.

[Interviewer/Host]

There she is.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Yeah. So totally so fun. You should be so proud. And you look amazing. You have a great energy about you.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you. Thanks, guys.

[Interviewer/Host]

I can't wait to see what's next for you. Stephanie, we are massive fans. Thank you for joining us.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you.

[Announcer]

Thank you.

[Stephanie Sosa]

Thank you, guys.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

Bye.

[Interviewer/Host]

Wait, I came in for two things.

[Dance Coach/Commentator]

How is this $47? All right, we're gonna need a plan here.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

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[Dance Coach/Commentator]

Oh, that's actually really simple.

[Bank of America Advertiser]

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