Dancing with the stars Contestant Ezra Sosa has been promoted to professional dancer following confirmation that Artem Chigvintsev will not be returning for season 33.
Sosa, a former member of the company in the series, announced the news on Tuesday in a chat with CHEERFUL.
“It still hasn’t hit me! When I got the call, I was honestly in shock at the news,” Sosa, 23, told the outlet.
“But I think the moment I meet my [celebrity] “My partner and the moment I walk into the ballroom, that’s when I think, ‘Oh my God, this is actually happening right now!’”
According to PeopleSosa and the other professional dancers' celebrity partners will be revealed on September 4. Good morning America.
Sosa, who first joined the DWTS company in 2021, also shared his anticipation in an IG video shared on Tuesday via 'DWTS' official account.
“It’s been three years in the making. To say the least, I’m amazed. Most importantly, I feel honored and grateful and I thank literally every single person who has supported me to get this far. This first season is not just going to be for me, it’s going to be for all of you too,” he said.
Sosa's promotion comes after the arrest of Russian dancer Artem Chigvintsev on charges of causing bodily injury to his wife, former WWE star Nikki Garcia, in Napa, California on August 29.
Despite his release on $25,000 bail, Chigvintsev has no plans to participate in DWTS Season 33.
According to TMZ, Garcia has been seeking a divorce lawyer since Friday and has stopped wearing her wedding ring since the incident. The couple also has a 4-year-old son, Matteo.
Chigvintsev also reportedly moved out of the family home and settled in with a friend.
