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[00:00]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Ice Cube's Big three season is heating up and it all comes down to this. The Big three playoffs are coming to Dallas, Texas. The four best teams in the Big three battle it out for a spot in the championship. The action starts with the legendary Big three celebrity game. Three games of the most physical, competitive and non stop three on three action. The game played the way you love. Watch live Saturday on CBS at 12pm Eastern, 9am Pacific and catch replays Monday on BET. Presented by iHeart A. Yay. Yay.
[00:31]
Glenn Washington
I'm Glenn Washington. This is Snap Judgment from kqed. When everything is falling apart, what do you do? Hurricane Helene shut everything down. No roads, no cars, no way through. But his daughter was getting married. And somehow, someway, he was going to walk her down that aisle. All systems down. A new Snap Judgment miniseries from kqed. Wherever you get your podcast.
[01:00]
Unidentified Consumer (Bank Ad Caller)
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[01:07]
Bank of America Representative
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[01:20]
Unidentified Consumer (Bank Ad Caller)
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[01:22]
Bank of America Representative
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[01:29]
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[02:15]
Interviewer/Host
We have our very first actual Next Pro contestant with us this week.
[02:21]
Co-Host/Commentator
Wow.
[02:21]
Interviewer/Host
Someone very near and dear to the Dancing with the Stars family. Please welcome to Stepping on Toes. Stephanie Sosa.
[02:30]
Bank of America Representative
Hi.
[02:30]
Stephanie Sosa
I'm so excited.
[02:32]
Interviewer/Host
First, congratulations. Thank you. Your appearance on Next Pro, it is no shock to me, but we loved watching you dance.
[02:41]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Thank you.
[02:41]
Interviewer/Host
Every week and I know the viewers agreed with us.
[02:44]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Thank you.
[02:45]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah.
[02:46]
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 of about the experience?
[02:58]
Co-Host/Commentator
Wow. Straight to it.
[02:58]
Unidentified Consumer (Bank Ad Caller)
Straight to it.
[02:59]
HeroBread Advertiser
Okay.
[02:59]
Interviewer/Host
Tell me.
[03:00]
HeroBread Advertiser
Okay.
[03:00]
Bank of America Representative
Okay.
[03:01]
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 person. And even like, watching it back 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 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.
[03:30]
Co-Host/Commentator
So that's great because you have, I mean, I, I have context just because I know you for longer than, 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. Uh, but you as a person have displayed yourself perfectly.
[03:53]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[03:53]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you.
[03:53]
Co-Host/Commentator
And I'm proud of that because you haven't always.
[03:56]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, no.
[03:57]
Co-Host/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, I'd work with her any day.
[04:05]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you. Means a lot coming from me.
[04:07]
Interviewer/Host
So.
[04:07]
Charity Lawson
Yes.
[04:08]
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.
[04:18]
Stephanie Sosa
He's made it like a weekly thing. Yeah, I love that.
[04:20]
Interviewer/Host
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 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.
[04:43]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[04:43]
Interviewer/Host
What has been your impression of your. Have you learned from watching it now that it's been on tv?
[04:50]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, it definitely is like an out of body experience because I know I. The motions 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, like, you know, just like little things like that yeah. 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.
[05:16]
Charity Lawson
Yeah.
[05:17]
Co-Host/Commentator
Any regrets?
[05:18]
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.
[05:35]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah. John was, like, tearing watching that.
[05:38]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[05:39]
Co-Host/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.
[05:47]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[05:47]
Co-Host/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. You never lost that youthful energy that you had, so. Yeah. So she was, like, really feeling.
[06:06]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[06:07]
Stephanie Sosa
And Jenna definitely knows me since I was a little girl, so.
[06:09]
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.
[06:32]
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.
[06:51]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
It's crazy.
[06:51]
Stephanie Sosa
Like, I've never had that before. Usually you can go and, like, decompress.
[06:55]
Interviewer/Host
Totally.
[06:56]
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. I was like, okay, yes.
[07:04]
Co-Host/Commentator
These type of people exist.
[07:05]
Stephanie Sosa
Yes.
[07:06]
Co-Host/Commentator
And this is what they're like in the morning.
[07:08]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[07:08]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah.
[07:09]
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.
[07:18]
Interviewer/Host
When you say you had a roommate did that, you guys literally shared, like, a room, like, There were two beds in the same room.
[07:23]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah. Like a bunk bed.
[07:24]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[07:25]
Co-Host/Commentator
Who got the top bunk?
[07:26]
HeroBread Advertiser
Nina.
[07:27]
Stephanie Sosa
She let me have the bottom, so I was, like, really happy.
[07:29]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, my gosh. Because when you have a roommate and you live in an 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, I don't want. I don't. I can just be with myself. But to then be sharing a room, there's literally nowhere.
[07:56]
Glenn Washington
Yeah.
[07:56]
Co-Host/Commentator
Did you have a place that you would go zone out by yourself?
[07:59]
Interviewer/Host
No.
[07:59]
Stephanie Sosa
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.
[08:23]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[08:23]
Stephanie Sosa
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.
[08:31]
Interviewer/Host
So would you say Tristan and Nina were, like, your two best friends in the house or.
[08:34]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[08:35]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Yeah.
[08:35]
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.
[08:51]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[08:52]
Interviewer/Host
So how do you think the stress level compares?
[08:55]
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 the show, I feel like it's a little bit longer.
[09:06]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah.
[09:06]
Stephanie Sosa
And then, like.
[09:07]
Co-Host/Commentator
And there's also resources.
[09:09]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[09:09]
Co-Host/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. I heard that people would stop you if. If it wasn't allocated Time to rehearse.
[09:25]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[09:25]
Co-Host/Commentator
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.
[09:31]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[09:31]
Co-Host/Commentator
I don't know if the show showcases that.
[09:35]
Interviewer/Host
No, they don't.
[09:36]
Co-Host/Commentator
Right.
[09:36]
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. You. We will. You will get in trouble.
[09:49]
Interviewer/Host
Well, it looks like there's a home rehearsal space in like the garage or something.
[09:53]
Stephanie Sosa
And that one was time too.
[09:55]
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.
[10:04]
Stephanie Sosa
No, no, no.
[10:05]
Co-Host/Commentator
That was the thing.
[10:05]
Stephanie Sosa
Like, it was so scary.
[10:07]
Co-Host/Commentator
For instance, I would. I. I'm not quick, you know, Imagine
[10:11]
Interviewer/Host
us with tambourines if we only had two hours.
[10:13]
Co-Host/Commentator
You know what I mean? I'm a late bloomer, but when I bloom, I. I blossom.
[10:18]
Interviewer/Host
Right.
[10:18]
Co-Host/Commentator
You know what I mean? I really shine, but I need every second. Second. Yeah. Under the clock like that. That's hard.
[10:24]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, it was definitely really hard. And like, I couldn't, like, go to the other boys and be like, hey, style. It's like stylized 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.
[10:41]
Interviewer/Host
And you also didn't have your phones, right?
[10:43]
Stephanie Sosa
No.
[10:44]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, my gosh.
[10:45]
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 my brain are in the room. Yeah, my brain.
[11:04]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Ice Cube's Big three season is heating up and it all comes down to this. The Big three playoffs are coming to Dallas, Texas. The four best teams in the Big three battle it out for a spot in the championship. The action starts with the legendary Big three celebrity game. Three games of the most physical kind. Competitive and non stop. 3 on 3 action. The game played the way you love. Watch live Saturday on CBS at 12pm Eastern, 9am Pacific, and catch replays Monday on BET. Presented by iHeart.
[11:34]
Glenn Washington
I'm Glenn Washington, host of Snap Judgment from KQED. Every week, Snap drops you inside someone's biggest decision. The kind of decision you can only make for once. With everything on the line, what do you believe? What do you want? And what would you risk to get it? Find out. Snap Judgment new episodes every Thursday. Wherever you get your podcast.
[12:04]
Charity Lawson
This is Charity Lawson from Bachelor Happy Hour.
[12:06]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Charity, I was thinking about this the other day. What's something that you'll always say yes to?
[12:11]
Charity Lawson
That's easy. Seeing my friends last minute girls trip. Basically making memories you'll talk about for years.
[12:17]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Same. And somehow every one of these memories comes with something to plan.
[12:22]
Charity Lawson
That's so true.
[12:23]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
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[12:29]
Charity Lawson
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[12:39]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
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[12:42]
Charity Lawson
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[12:46]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
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[12:57]
Unidentified Consumer (Bank Ad Caller)
Wait, I came in for two things. How is this $47? All right, we're gonna need a plan here.
[13:04]
Bank of America Representative
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[13:16]
Unidentified Consumer (Bank Ad Caller)
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[13:19]
Bank of America Representative
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[13:34]
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.
[13:46]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[13:46]
Interviewer/Host
Was it rough all week during rehearsals or did you think, oh, I think we're going to pull this off?
[13:54]
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.
[14:05]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[14:05]
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.
[14:30]
Co-Host/Commentator
It was definitely the better performance he had all season.
[14:33]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, for sure.
[14:34]
Co-Host/Commentator
It was a good dance. So, yeah, you did that.
[14:37]
Bank of America Representative
Thanks.
[14:39]
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 in, 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?
[15:10]
Co-Host/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.
[15:38]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[15:39]
Co-Host/Commentator
I don't get what they accomplished with that.
[15:41]
Interviewer/Host
So I know this week you posted a dance with you and Alan, and it is remarkable.
[15:47]
Stephanie Sosa
Oh, thank you.
[15:48]
Interviewer/Host
So good. Have you seen it?
[15:49]
Co-Host/Commentator
No.
[15:49]
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.
[16:01]
Co-Host/Commentator
No, no, of course it's not.
[16:03]
Interviewer/Host
But it felt like it was not Stephanie's week to go home.
[16:07]
Co-Host/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.
[16:19]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[16:20]
Co-Host/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.
[16:26]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah, yeah.
[16:28]
Co-Host/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.
[16:42]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[16:42]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah, sometimes that happens.
[16:45]
Interviewer/Host
What have you thought of AJ's journey on the show?
[16:49]
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. I feel like he, likes, done it before.
[16:58]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[16:59]
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.
[17:08]
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 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?
[17:28]
Charity Lawson
I would.
[17:28]
Stephanie Sosa
I would describe AJ as very posh and very confident.
[17:31]
Interviewer/Host
Okay.
[17:33]
Stephanie Sosa
But, yeah, I definitely.
[17:34]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yes.
[17:35]
Stephanie Sosa
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 I would have loved to dance with him, though.
[17:45]
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?
[17:58]
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.
[18:06]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[18:07]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[18:07]
Interviewer/Host
Just to see you guys actually connecting as. I mean, we did.
[18:10]
Co-Host/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.
[18:18]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[18:18]
Co-Host/Commentator
See, you guys really opened up. You really just. You were very vulnerable, all of you and everybody and so many of you, even aj, we were talking about aj. Everybody opened up and allowed. Allowed themselves for the process.
[18:34]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[18:35]
Co-Host/Commentator
Like, really genuinely. And you could feel that for better and for worse. But you. I really. Yeah.
[18:39]
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.
[19:07]
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.
[19:23]
Interviewer/Host
That is cute. I bet I know who it is.
[19:25]
Co-Host/Commentator
Well, what do you mean? We could talk.
[19:26]
Stephanie Sosa
We could.
[19:27]
HeroBread Advertiser
Okay.
[19:27]
Co-Host/Commentator
We do know.
[19:28]
HeroBread Advertiser
We do. Go for it.
[19:29]
Glenn Washington
Yeah.
[19:29]
Co-Host/Commentator
It's. It's Eric and Brian.
[19:32]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[19:32]
Stephanie Sosa
They're so cute. They're so perfect for each other. Yeah. Like, very. Like. Like, same thing.
[19:37]
Co-Host/Commentator
He is him.
[19:38]
Interviewer/Host
How do you know that? I didn't know that.
[19:41]
Co-Host/Commentator
Well, it's on social media.
[19:42]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, okay. I don't follow them on social media, so. Okay, that's.
[19:46]
Co-Host/Commentator
She's like.
[19:46]
Glenn Washington
I'm like.
[19:47]
Interviewer/Host
You guys are like, well, yeah, because we all know. And I'm like, wait, I didn't get a text.
[19:52]
Co-Host/Commentator
No, no, they. They're. They're open in social. I mean, that's why I mentioned it.
[19:57]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[19:57]
Co-Host/Commentator
It was private. I got it.
[19:59]
Interviewer/Host
Very cute. We know that Ezra is your biggest cheerleader. What has it been like getting to share this experience with him?
[20:07]
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.
[20:39]
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 obviously unrelated to Ex bro, but what was it like being a part
[20:59]
Co-Host/Commentator
of Ezra watching Super Bowl?
[21:01]
ChatGPT Advertiser
When was that?
[21:02]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, he would never. He would never.
[21:06]
Interviewer/Host
What was it like being a part of that Bad Bunny performance?
[21:09]
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 nexpro, like, I didn't have a phone.
[21:32]
HeroBread Advertiser
Right.
[21:33]
Stephanie Sosa
So it was like. It was really. I was so grateful, and I feel like I grew a lot on that job, so it was. It was. It was awesome.
[21:40]
Interviewer/Host
Wow. The amount of time you have spent without a phone.
[21:43]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yes.
[21:43]
Stephanie Sosa
I kind of like it. Yeah.
[21:44]
Interviewer/Host
I know it must be hard to get. To get back into using a phone.
[21:48]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[21:48]
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?
[22:00]
Stephanie Sosa
I am just gonna keep working hard and, like, every. All my dreams, like, you know, dance with 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.
[22:12]
Charity Lawson
Yeah.
[22:12]
Stephanie Sosa
But I just want to 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.
[22:34]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[22:34]
Stephanie Sosa
I'm just really proud of myself, so.
[22:36]
Interviewer/Host
You should be. We are proud of you too.
[22:39]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[22:39]
Co-Host/Commentator
You did a lot of epic stuff.
[22:41]
Interviewer/Host
Yes, you did.
[22:43]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah. Like that. That's the thing. And I kind of said that last week, 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 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, and not grow and do it one time and then no one wants to work with you.
[23:12]
Interviewer/Host
Yep.
[23:13]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[23:13]
Co-Host/Commentator
You know, or you can potentially 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 Earl. But you really saw Steph the entire time.
[23:41]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you.
[23:41]
Co-Host/Commentator
And your hair was out. And I was like, yeah, I know that girl.
[23:44]
Charity Lawson
There she is.
[23:45]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah. So totally so fun. You should be so proud. And you look amazing. You have a great energy about you.
[23:51]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Thank you. Thanks, guys.
[23:52]
Interviewer/Host
I can't wait to see what's next for you. Stephanie, we are massive fans. Thank you for joining us.
[23:57]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you.
[23:57]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Thank you.
[23:58]
Co-Host/Commentator
Thank you guys.
[23:59]
Bank of America Representative
Bye.
[24:13]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Ice Cube's Big three season is heating up and it all comes down to this. The Big three playoffs are coming to Dallas, Texas. The four best teams in the Big three, Big three battle it out for a spot in the championship. The action starts with the legendary big three Celebrity game. Three games of the most physical, competitive and non stop three on three action. The game played the way you love. Watch live Saturday on CBS at 12pm Eastern, 9am Pacific and catch replays Monday on BET. Presented by iHeart.
[24:43]
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[25:13]
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Summary6 min read

Pod Meets World – Episode: Stephani Sosa (August 9, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode of "Pod Meets World," hosts Danielle, Will, and Rider welcome their first-ever Next Pro contestant: Stephanie Sosa, a beloved member of the “Dancing with the Stars” universe. The episode explores Stephanie’s journey on Next Pro, her growth as a dancer and individual, behind-the-scenes details about life in the competition house, and her future aspirations. Fans hear candid reflections on her experience, touching on everything from the high-pressure environment to the friendships (and romances!) formed off-camera.

1. Stephanie Sosa on Growth and Self-Reflection

Main Discussion

Stephanie opens up about how her time on Next Pro was fundamentally about personal evolution.
- “I don't know, I left a different person. And even, like, watching it back was also, like, very eye opening for me as well…I'm excited just to keep growing and just keep going.” — Stephanie Sosa [03:00]
The hosts highlight and praise Stephanie’s maturity and growth, both as a performer and a person.
- “You as a person have displayed yourself perfectly... I'd work with her any day.” — Co-Host [03:29]
Candid admission from Stephanie about moments of self-doubt:
- “My only regret [is] not being able to keep that fire going. I think that last week for me...that week for me was just really hard mentally, and I think I let it get to me a little bit.” — Stephanie Sosa [05:18]

2. Watching the Show Back: New Insights

Key Insights

Stephanie and her brother Ezra make a ritual of watching the episodes together, which gives her new perspectives.
- “He's made it like a weekly thing. Yeah, I love that.” — Stephanie Sosa [04:17]
She shares the surreal experience of seeing herself on screen.
- “It definitely is like an out of body experience. The motions I felt in that moment, like, were very different when I was watching...just little things like that.” — Stephanie Sosa [04:50]
Vulnerable moments: The effect of editing, the surprise at what makes it to air, and emotional reactions from friends and fellow dancers.

3. Life in the House: Pressure, Personalities, and Makeshift Family

Behind-the-Scenes

The stress of sharing a living space with competitors for the first time, and how it fostered growth.
- “It was hard for me because I've never lived with anyone other than Ezra or my family...learning how to...be respectful, but also put boundaries, was a big thing too.” — Stephanie Sosa [06:32], [07:08]
Close friendships formed with housemates Nina and Tristan.
- “I was Nina's roommate...me and Nina 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...” — Stephanie Sosa [07:27], [08:23]
- “I also got really close, close to Tristan, so he was also somebody I'd go to and be like, how are you feeling?” — Stephanie Sosa [08:23]
The unique challenge of having no private space to decompress.
Fun side note: Stephanie got the bottom bunk! [07:27]

4. The Real Pressures of Next Pro

The Show vs. Reality

Extreme time constraints: two days to choreograph and learn routines, with rehearsal time strictly monitored.
- “It was timed. So like, we go in rehearsal, they start the clock and then as soon as over...if they saw you rehearsing in the house, then they would stop you and be like...you’ll get in trouble.” — Stephanie Sosa [09:36]
No phones, no outside creative references:
- “They took our phones...I had no–literally just my talent and my brain are in the room.” — Stephanie Sosa [10:45]
Comparisons with other dance shows and the lack of outside resources or downtime.
- “It was 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...” — Stephanie Sosa [08:54]

5. The Partner Dynamic: Triumphs and Frustrations

Key Segments

Stephanie’s last week was particularly tough, being paired with Tristan, the least experienced in ballroom.
- “It was an uphill battle for sure...we do work well together...we were just fighting, like, we really just wanted to stay.” — Stephanie Sosa [13:53]
The challenge of couple’s elimination:
- “[Partnering] can make or break you. And in this case...Tristan did bring you down in this scenario. Do you agree with me?” — Interviewer/Host [15:09]
- “You're only as good as your partner...I didn't think that you deserve to go.” — Co-Host [15:09]
Hypothetical: What might have happened with a different partner (e.g., Alan).
- “What if [Alan] had been your partner?...It felt like it was not Stephanie's week to go home.” — Interviewer/Host [15:49]

6. Housemate Dynamics, Fun, and Relationships

Candid House Moments

Many lighter moments weren’t shown:
- “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...” — Stephanie Sosa [17:58]
Some Next Pro contestants started dating post-show!
- “It’s Eric and Brian...They're so cute. They're so perfect for each other. Yeah.” — Stephanie Sosa & Co-Host [19:29-19:32]
Difference between what aired and the deeper, more positive house culture.

7. Reflections on Competition, Growth, and the Future

Moving Forward

Ezra as a source of pride and comfort:
- “Being able to show him, like, my dances and...just have him, like, love them...it really meant a lot to me.” — Stephanie Sosa [20:06]
Super Bowl and Bad Bunny cameo:
- “It was phenomenal...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...the country...it was really healing for me...” — Stephanie Sosa [21:08]
Stephanie’s positive outlook and ambition for the future:
- “I am just gonna keep working hard...I'm a firm believer that everything does happen for a reason, if you, like, are prepared and you put the hard work in...if it's meant to be my path, it will.” — Stephanie Sosa [21:59]

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“My only regret [is] not being able to keep that fire going.” — Stephanie Sosa [05:18]
“I'm very much a fan. Like, usually I'll call Ezra after a rehearsal, or, like, I'll call my people. So not being able to have that in the house was really hard.” — Stephanie Sosa [07:58]
“It’s probably the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I’m not gonna lie.” — Stephanie Sosa [08:54]
“They took our phones...I had no–literally just my talent and my brain are in the room.” — Stephanie Sosa [10:45]
“You could win the show and not grow and...then no one wants to work with you. Or you can potentially not win for the win's sake and actually win an opportunity...that then blossoms into a whole other career.” — Co-Host [23:13]

9. Important Topics by Timestamp

[03:00] Stephanie discusses personal growth from Next Pro
[04:50] Watching herself back and learning from it
[05:18] Regrets about losing confidence
[06:32] Adjusting to living with others in the house
[08:54] The stress and challenge of the Next Pro competition format
[10:45] Difficulty of being cut off from resources and the outside world
[13:53] The challenge of being paired with a less experienced partner
[15:09] Debate over fairness of partner eliminations
[17:58] Behind-the-scenes fun not shown on TV
[19:29] On housemate romance (Eric and Brian)
[20:06] Dancing for Ezra and family connections
[21:08] Performing with Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl
[21:59] Stephanie on her future: open-minded and optimistic

10. Closing Thoughts

The hosts end with praise for Stephanie’s journey, resilience, and positivity. The episode celebrates her achievements—even if she didn't win the show—and frames her story as one of ongoing growth and inspiration, both on and off the dance floor.

For listeners who missed the episode, this recap captures all of the candor, heart, and behind-the-scenes scoop that made this conversation a must-hear for fans of dance, competition reality TV, and the “Boy Meets World” podcast family.

Loading summary

Transcript243 lines

[00:00]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Ice Cube's Big three season is heating up and it all comes down to this. The Big three playoffs are coming to Dallas, Texas. The four best teams in the Big three battle it out for a spot in the championship. The action starts with the legendary Big three celebrity game. Three games of the most physical, competitive and non stop three on three action. The game played the way you love. Watch live Saturday on CBS at 12pm Eastern, 9am Pacific and catch replays Monday on BET. Presented by iHeart A. Yay. Yay.
[00:31]
Glenn Washington
I'm Glenn Washington. This is Snap Judgment from kqed. When everything is falling apart, what do you do? Hurricane Helene shut everything down. No roads, no cars, no way through. But his daughter was getting married. And somehow, someway, he was going to walk her down that aisle. All systems down. A new Snap Judgment miniseries from kqed. Wherever you get your podcast.
[01:00]
Unidentified Consumer (Bank Ad Caller)
Wait, I came in for two things. How is this $47? All right, we're going to need a plan here.
[01:07]
Bank of America Representative
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[01:20]
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[01:22]
Bank of America Representative
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[01:29]
HeroBread Advertiser
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[02:15]
Interviewer/Host
We have our very first actual Next Pro contestant with us this week.
[02:21]
Co-Host/Commentator
Wow.
[02:21]
Interviewer/Host
Someone very near and dear to the Dancing with the Stars family. Please welcome to Stepping on Toes. Stephanie Sosa.
[02:30]
Bank of America Representative
Hi.
[02:30]
Stephanie Sosa
I'm so excited.
[02:32]
Interviewer/Host
First, congratulations. Thank you. Your appearance on Next Pro, it is no shock to me, but we loved watching you dance.
[02:41]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Thank you.
[02:41]
Interviewer/Host
Every week and I know the viewers agreed with us.
[02:44]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Thank you.
[02:45]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah.
[02:46]
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 of about the experience?
[02:58]
Co-Host/Commentator
Wow. Straight to it.
[02:58]
Unidentified Consumer (Bank Ad Caller)
Straight to it.
[02:59]
HeroBread Advertiser
Okay.
[02:59]
Interviewer/Host
Tell me.
[03:00]
HeroBread Advertiser
Okay.
[03:00]
Bank of America Representative
Okay.
[03:01]
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 person. And even like, watching it back 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 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.
[03:30]
Co-Host/Commentator
So that's great because you have, I mean, I, I have context just because I know you for longer than, 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. Uh, but you as a person have displayed yourself perfectly.
[03:53]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[03:53]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you.
[03:53]
Co-Host/Commentator
And I'm proud of that because you haven't always.
[03:56]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, no.
[03:57]
Co-Host/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, I'd work with her any day.
[04:05]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you. Means a lot coming from me.
[04:07]
Interviewer/Host
So.
[04:07]
Charity Lawson
Yes.
[04:08]
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.
[04:18]
Stephanie Sosa
He's made it like a weekly thing. Yeah, I love that.
[04:20]
Interviewer/Host
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 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.
[04:43]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[04:43]
Interviewer/Host
What has been your impression of your. Have you learned from watching it now that it's been on tv?
[04:50]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, it definitely is like an out of body experience because I know I. The motions 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, like, you know, just like little things like that yeah. 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.
[05:16]
Charity Lawson
Yeah.
[05:17]
Co-Host/Commentator
Any regrets?
[05:18]
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.
[05:35]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah. John was, like, tearing watching that.
[05:38]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[05:39]
Co-Host/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.
[05:47]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[05:47]
Co-Host/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. You never lost that youthful energy that you had, so. Yeah. So she was, like, really feeling.
[06:06]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[06:07]
Stephanie Sosa
And Jenna definitely knows me since I was a little girl, so.
[06:09]
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.
[06:32]
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.
[06:51]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
It's crazy.
[06:51]
Stephanie Sosa
Like, I've never had that before. Usually you can go and, like, decompress.
[06:55]
Interviewer/Host
Totally.
[06:56]
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. I was like, okay, yes.
[07:04]
Co-Host/Commentator
These type of people exist.
[07:05]
Stephanie Sosa
Yes.
[07:06]
Co-Host/Commentator
And this is what they're like in the morning.
[07:08]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[07:08]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah.
[07:09]
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.
[07:18]
Interviewer/Host
When you say you had a roommate did that, you guys literally shared, like, a room, like, There were two beds in the same room.
[07:23]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah. Like a bunk bed.
[07:24]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[07:25]
Co-Host/Commentator
Who got the top bunk?
[07:26]
HeroBread Advertiser
Nina.
[07:27]
Stephanie Sosa
She let me have the bottom, so I was, like, really happy.
[07:29]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, my gosh. Because when you have a roommate and you live in an 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, I don't want. I don't. I can just be with myself. But to then be sharing a room, there's literally nowhere.
[07:56]
Glenn Washington
Yeah.
[07:56]
Co-Host/Commentator
Did you have a place that you would go zone out by yourself?
[07:59]
Interviewer/Host
No.
[07:59]
Stephanie Sosa
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.
[08:23]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[08:23]
Stephanie Sosa
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.
[08:31]
Interviewer/Host
So would you say Tristan and Nina were, like, your two best friends in the house or.
[08:34]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[08:35]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Yeah.
[08:35]
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.
[08:51]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[08:52]
Interviewer/Host
So how do you think the stress level compares?
[08:55]
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 the show, I feel like it's a little bit longer.
[09:06]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah.
[09:06]
Stephanie Sosa
And then, like.
[09:07]
Co-Host/Commentator
And there's also resources.
[09:09]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[09:09]
Co-Host/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. I heard that people would stop you if. If it wasn't allocated Time to rehearse.
[09:25]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[09:25]
Co-Host/Commentator
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.
[09:31]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[09:31]
Co-Host/Commentator
I don't know if the show showcases that.
[09:35]
Interviewer/Host
No, they don't.
[09:36]
Co-Host/Commentator
Right.
[09:36]
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. You. We will. You will get in trouble.
[09:49]
Interviewer/Host
Well, it looks like there's a home rehearsal space in like the garage or something.
[09:53]
Stephanie Sosa
And that one was time too.
[09:55]
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.
[10:04]
Stephanie Sosa
No, no, no.
[10:05]
Co-Host/Commentator
That was the thing.
[10:05]
Stephanie Sosa
Like, it was so scary.
[10:07]
Co-Host/Commentator
For instance, I would. I. I'm not quick, you know, Imagine
[10:11]
Interviewer/Host
us with tambourines if we only had two hours.
[10:13]
Co-Host/Commentator
You know what I mean? I'm a late bloomer, but when I bloom, I. I blossom.
[10:18]
Interviewer/Host
Right.
[10:18]
Co-Host/Commentator
You know what I mean? I really shine, but I need every second. Second. Yeah. Under the clock like that. That's hard.
[10:24]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, it was definitely really hard. And like, I couldn't, like, go to the other boys and be like, hey, style. It's like stylized 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.
[10:41]
Interviewer/Host
And you also didn't have your phones, right?
[10:43]
Stephanie Sosa
No.
[10:44]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, my gosh.
[10:45]
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 my brain are in the room. Yeah, my brain.
[11:04]
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[12:04]
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[13:34]
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.
[13:46]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[13:46]
Interviewer/Host
Was it rough all week during rehearsals or did you think, oh, I think we're going to pull this off?
[13:54]
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.
[14:05]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[14:05]
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.
[14:30]
Co-Host/Commentator
It was definitely the better performance he had all season.
[14:33]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, for sure.
[14:34]
Co-Host/Commentator
It was a good dance. So, yeah, you did that.
[14:37]
Bank of America Representative
Thanks.
[14:39]
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 in, 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?
[15:10]
Co-Host/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.
[15:38]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[15:39]
Co-Host/Commentator
I don't get what they accomplished with that.
[15:41]
Interviewer/Host
So I know this week you posted a dance with you and Alan, and it is remarkable.
[15:47]
Stephanie Sosa
Oh, thank you.
[15:48]
Interviewer/Host
So good. Have you seen it?
[15:49]
Co-Host/Commentator
No.
[15:49]
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.
[16:01]
Co-Host/Commentator
No, no, of course it's not.
[16:03]
Interviewer/Host
But it felt like it was not Stephanie's week to go home.
[16:07]
Co-Host/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.
[16:19]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[16:20]
Co-Host/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.
[16:26]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah, yeah.
[16:28]
Co-Host/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.
[16:42]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[16:42]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah, sometimes that happens.
[16:45]
Interviewer/Host
What have you thought of AJ's journey on the show?
[16:49]
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. I feel like he, likes, done it before.
[16:58]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[16:59]
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.
[17:08]
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 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?
[17:28]
Charity Lawson
I would.
[17:28]
Stephanie Sosa
I would describe AJ as very posh and very confident.
[17:31]
Interviewer/Host
Okay.
[17:33]
Stephanie Sosa
But, yeah, I definitely.
[17:34]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yes.
[17:35]
Stephanie Sosa
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 I would have loved to dance with him, though.
[17:45]
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?
[17:58]
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.
[18:06]
Interviewer/Host
Yeah.
[18:07]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[18:07]
Interviewer/Host
Just to see you guys actually connecting as. I mean, we did.
[18:10]
Co-Host/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.
[18:18]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[18:18]
Co-Host/Commentator
See, you guys really opened up. You really just. You were very vulnerable, all of you and everybody and so many of you, even aj, we were talking about aj. Everybody opened up and allowed. Allowed themselves for the process.
[18:34]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[18:35]
Co-Host/Commentator
Like, really genuinely. And you could feel that for better and for worse. But you. I really. Yeah.
[18:39]
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.
[19:07]
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.
[19:23]
Interviewer/Host
That is cute. I bet I know who it is.
[19:25]
Co-Host/Commentator
Well, what do you mean? We could talk.
[19:26]
Stephanie Sosa
We could.
[19:27]
HeroBread Advertiser
Okay.
[19:27]
Co-Host/Commentator
We do know.
[19:28]
HeroBread Advertiser
We do. Go for it.
[19:29]
Glenn Washington
Yeah.
[19:29]
Co-Host/Commentator
It's. It's Eric and Brian.
[19:32]
HeroBread Advertiser
Yeah.
[19:32]
Stephanie Sosa
They're so cute. They're so perfect for each other. Yeah. Like, very. Like. Like, same thing.
[19:37]
Co-Host/Commentator
He is him.
[19:38]
Interviewer/Host
How do you know that? I didn't know that.
[19:41]
Co-Host/Commentator
Well, it's on social media.
[19:42]
Interviewer/Host
Oh, okay. I don't follow them on social media, so. Okay, that's.
[19:46]
Co-Host/Commentator
She's like.
[19:46]
Glenn Washington
I'm like.
[19:47]
Interviewer/Host
You guys are like, well, yeah, because we all know. And I'm like, wait, I didn't get a text.
[19:52]
Co-Host/Commentator
No, no, they. They're. They're open in social. I mean, that's why I mentioned it.
[19:57]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[19:57]
Co-Host/Commentator
It was private. I got it.
[19:59]
Interviewer/Host
Very cute. We know that Ezra is your biggest cheerleader. What has it been like getting to share this experience with him?
[20:07]
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.
[20:39]
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 obviously unrelated to Ex bro, but what was it like being a part
[20:59]
Co-Host/Commentator
of Ezra watching Super Bowl?
[21:01]
ChatGPT Advertiser
When was that?
[21:02]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah, he would never. He would never.
[21:06]
Interviewer/Host
What was it like being a part of that Bad Bunny performance?
[21:09]
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 nexpro, like, I didn't have a phone.
[21:32]
HeroBread Advertiser
Right.
[21:33]
Stephanie Sosa
So it was like. It was really. I was so grateful, and I feel like I grew a lot on that job, so it was. It was. It was awesome.
[21:40]
Interviewer/Host
Wow. The amount of time you have spent without a phone.
[21:43]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yes.
[21:43]
Stephanie Sosa
I kind of like it. Yeah.
[21:44]
Interviewer/Host
I know it must be hard to get. To get back into using a phone.
[21:48]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[21:48]
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?
[22:00]
Stephanie Sosa
I am just gonna keep working hard and, like, every. All my dreams, like, you know, dance with 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.
[22:12]
Charity Lawson
Yeah.
[22:12]
Stephanie Sosa
But I just want to 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.
[22:34]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Yeah.
[22:34]
Stephanie Sosa
I'm just really proud of myself, so.
[22:36]
Interviewer/Host
You should be. We are proud of you too.
[22:39]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[22:39]
Co-Host/Commentator
You did a lot of epic stuff.
[22:41]
Interviewer/Host
Yes, you did.
[22:43]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah. Like that. That's the thing. And I kind of said that last week, 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 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, and not grow and do it one time and then no one wants to work with you.
[23:12]
Interviewer/Host
Yep.
[23:13]
Stephanie Sosa
Yeah.
[23:13]
Co-Host/Commentator
You know, or you can potentially 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 Earl. But you really saw Steph the entire time.
[23:41]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you.
[23:41]
Co-Host/Commentator
And your hair was out. And I was like, yeah, I know that girl.
[23:44]
Charity Lawson
There she is.
[23:45]
Co-Host/Commentator
Yeah. So totally so fun. You should be so proud. And you look amazing. You have a great energy about you.
[23:51]
Interviewer/Host or Guest
Thank you. Thanks, guys.
[23:52]
Interviewer/Host
I can't wait to see what's next for you. Stephanie, we are massive fans. Thank you for joining us.
[23:57]
Stephanie Sosa
Thank you.
[23:57]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Thank you.
[23:58]
Co-Host/Commentator
Thank you guys.
[23:59]
Bank of America Representative
Bye.
[24:13]
Ice Cube (Big Three Announcer)
Ice Cube's Big three season is heating up and it all comes down to this. The Big three playoffs are coming to Dallas, Texas. The four best teams in the Big three, Big three battle it out for a spot in the championship. The action starts with the legendary big three Celebrity game. Three games of the most physical, competitive and non stop three on three action. The game played the way you love. Watch live Saturday on CBS at 12pm Eastern, 9am Pacific and catch replays Monday on BET. Presented by iHeart.
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