Dancing With the Stars pro Ezra Sosa is hoping to make his long-held wish a reality: partnering with a man on the hit dance show. The openly gay dancer says he has raised the idea with casting, and his enthusiasm reflects a broader conversation about representation, chemistry and what audiences want to see on the ballroom floor.

Essential Takeaways

  • A long-held ambition: Sosa says he has wanted a same-sex partnership since joining the show.
  • He’s made his case: The dancer says he has spoken to the casting director, though no decision has been announced.
  • It’s happened before: Same-sex partnerships have featured on Dancing With the Stars, but they remain less common.
  • A personal connection: Sosa has spoken publicly about being part of the queer community and his interest in same-sex dancing.

Ezra Sosa has a ballroom wish he wants to make real

For Ezra Sosa, a dream Dancing With the Stars partner isn't one particular celebrity. It's the chance to dance with a man, a possibility he says he's been working towards since joining the show.

Sosa has told Out that he wants a same-sex partnership and has put the idea to the casting director. He describes the possibility as deeply meaningful, connecting it to his identity and his passion for same-sex dancing. Sources: Out; Parade.

Why a same-sex partnership matters to him

This isn't simply a casting preference for Sosa. As an openly gay professional, he has spoken about wanting to bring his enthusiasm for same-sex dancing to the ballroom, where celebrity pairings are usually presented as a man and a woman.

That makes the idea feel personal as well as performative. A partnership could let Sosa explore a different kind of dance dynamic while giving viewers another way to see connection and chemistry on the show. Sources: Out; Parade.

Has Dancing With the Stars paired two men before?

Yes. Same-sex pairings have appeared on Dancing With the Stars, so the idea wouldn't be entirely new to the programme. But they're still less familiar than the show's traditional pairings, which helps explain why Sosa's hopes have caught fans' attention. Sources: ABC; Associated Press.

The wider show continues to draw attention through its celebrity cast and professional dancers. The Associated Press' coverage of the 2026 cast offers a snapshot of the programme's ongoing format, while ABC's cast page provides official information about its performers. Sources: Associated Press; ABC.

What could a new pairing bring to the ballroom?

A same-sex partnership would give Sosa a chance to bring his perspective to the choreography, but the success of any pairing would also depend on the familiar ingredients: practice, trust and a strong connection on the dance floor. It could be a fresh creative challenge without losing the spectacle fans tune in for.

Sosa has also talked about coming out and his hopes for his future on the show in a Parade video. That mix of ambition and openness makes his wish easy to understand, even if casting remains out of his hands. Sources: Parade; Out.

Will Ezra Sosa get his dream partner next season?

For now, there's no confirmed casting decision, and putting in a request is not the same as having a partner locked in. Sosa's comments show he's keen, but the eventual line-up will depend on the show's casting plans. Sources: Out; Parade.

Still, his wish has given fans something to picture: Sosa bringing his energy and dance experience to a pairing he has wanted for years. Sometimes the most exciting casting idea is the one that makes the ballroom feel a little more open. Sources: Out; Parade.

It's a small casting decision with the potential to make a big impression on the dance floor.

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