During a July 27 rehearsal for ABC’s Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, a training mishap ended one competitor’s run and underscored how quickly a routine can turn dangerous. The incident—caught during a group number—left 20-year-old Natalie Jolley injured, rushed for medical care and ultimately ruled out of the competition.
What happened
Contestants were rehearsing a group sequence choreographed by guest judge Britt Stewart when dancer Stephani Sosa inadvertently struck Jolley in the face. Jolley immediately withdrew from the set, reporting dizziness as her eye began to swell shut.
Production stopped the rehearsal so the show’s medical team could examine Jolley on site. Crew members then transported her by ambulance for further evaluation after she told staff she was in severe pain and having trouble breathing through her nose.
Sosa, visibly upset, apologized and said she felt responsible for the injury, noting the choreography moved quickly. Stewart later stressed the importance of spatial awareness in group work and the risks that can arise when performers are tightly choreographed together.
Aftermath and competition outcome
The following day the remaining dancers returned to rehearsal without Jolley and performed for judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas. Shirley Ballas announced that, because Jolley had not been cleared by medical staff, she would not be able to continue and was therefore eliminated from the contest.
Jolley later posted an update to social media confirming she sustained a black eye and a concussion. She said she tried to remain in the competition but was advised against returning for safety reasons and vowed to recover and come back stronger.
- Date: July 27 rehearsal
- Involved: Natalie Jolley (injured), Stephani Sosa (accidental contact), Britt Stewart (guest choreographer)
- Medical response: On-site exam; ambulance transport for further evaluation
- Outcome: Jolley not medically cleared and eliminated
- Key issue: Group choreography heightens collision risk without strict spacing and timing
The episode serves as a reminder that even rehearsals carry real physical risks. For a competition built on precision and synchronization, one mistimed move can have immediate consequences for a dancer’s health and prospects on the show.
As The Next Pro continues, the production will likely re-evaluate safety protocols for group numbers and warm-ups. The incident also arrives as attention ramps up for the main Dancing With the Stars season, where casting and contestant health are central topics for producers and fans alike.
No further updates on Jolley’s condition were released publicly beyond her social post; the show proceeded with the scheduled performances and judging after the medical assessment.
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