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GLAAD EXCLUSIVELY ANNOUNCES LATIN LGBTQ+ DANCER EZRA SOSA TO JOIN DWTS SEASON 33 AS A PRO
New York, New York – September 3, 2024 – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced exclusively that out Latin dancer Ezra Sosa will be joining Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) Season 33 as a pro. He will be the first Latin dance pro to be featured on DWTS in over a decade. Sosa joined DWTS in 2021 and has been a part of the troupe until now, when he will be making his debut as an official pro and paired with a celebrity partner who is still to be announced.
In the exclusive interview with GLAAD, Sosa said, “It hasn’t hit me yet! When I got the call, I honestly was in a state of shock from the news…but I think the moment I do meet my [celebrity] partner and the moment I step in the ballroom, that’s when I’ll be like, “this is actually happening right now!”
Ezra Sosa on his DWTS journey and coming out:
“When I first joined the show, it was the first time I was in an environment where I truly felt accepted….and that has a huge sense of me becoming the person I am today.”
“When I first joined the show, I had a huge sense of imposter syndrome because at the time, I wasn’t out…and it wasn’t until this year when I realized the power, the power of being fruity and the power of just truly just being yourself.”
Ezra Sosa on JoJo Siwa helping him with self acceptance:
“When I first met [JoJo Siwa] on the show, she knew I was in the closet, she knew I was gay, but she also knew how uncomfortable I was in my own skin. I went on tour with her…and it was constant days where she would put makeup on my face and I would be bawling in her arms because it made me so uncomfortable because I was raised that it wasn’t ok for guys to wear makeup, for guys to wear glittery things, for guys to wear crop tops, but she was this person starting to introduce these things into my life and it took a very long time…”
Ezra Sosa on being proud to bring Latin inclusion into the ballroom this season on DWTS:
“Growing up in Utah, I wasn’t really exposed to my culture and my grandma always called me ‘gringa,’ and I had a hard time just diving into it, but when I moved to L A, I started going to Salsa Clubs, started taking salsa class and, and I really just understood how amazing it is to be Hispanic and how much extra rhythm I got in these hips.”
To access Ezra Sosa’s headshot, see HERE
The full cast of Dancing with the Stars season 33 will be announced live on ABC’s Good Morning America, tomorrow, September 4th.
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About Ezra Sosa
Ezra Sosa began his dance journey at Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem, Utah, where his passion for dance quickly turned into a professional career by the age of 13. He gained national attention competing on America’s Got Talent and World of Dance and later made history with his sister Stephanie as the first sibling duo to reach the Top 10 on So You Think You Can Dance.
Following his success, Ezra toured the country with So You Think You Can Dance LIVE!, the Bachelor franchise, and JoJo Siwa. He has also showcased his talents in various TV shows and movies, and recently performed at this year’s Oscars. Ezra made history again by joining Dancing With the Stars as their first Latinx queer pro. He is deeply committed to spreading joy and positivity through his craft as he continues to inspire audiences around the world.
About GLAAD: GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org or connect with GLAAD on Facebook and Twitter.
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