LOS ANGELES, CA – The magic of Broadway’s Wicked was palpable in the ballroom for “Wicked Night,” but it was the profound connection and breathtaking technique of Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her professional partner, Ezra Sosa, that closed the show and truly transported the audience. Their Rumba to the iconic duet “For Good” not only earned the couple their highest score of the season—a near-perfect 39 out of 40—but also marked the pivotal moment they solidified their status as serious contenders for the Mirrorball Trophy.
In a night of high-stakes, dramatic performances, Chiles and Sosa chose a path of lyrical storytelling and quiet emotional depth, bringing the profound friendship between Glinda and Elphaba to life through the “dance of love.”
A Diabolical Challenge Mastered
The choice of Rumba to “For Good”—a ballad celebrating enduring friendship—was a “diabolical” challenge, as noted by many fans online. The Rumba is traditionally a passionate, sensual Latin dance, making the task of translating it into a tender yet powerful display of platonic love an immense choreographic hurdle.
Pro dancer Ezra Sosa, whose choreography this season has consistently pushed the envelope, masterfully navigated this complexity. The routine was characterized by incredible control, precise hip action, and clean lines, all of which are crucial for the Rumba. Chiles, leveraging her world-class athletic training, brought a seamless quality of movement and grounded presence that judges have been asking for all season.
The Euphoric Moment: Three 10s
The judges’ panel—including guest judge Jon M. Chu, director of the upcoming Wicked films—was moved to an explosive reaction, resulting in the couple’s first 10s of the season.
- Carrie Ann Inaba was ecstatic, declaring the performance “perfection!” and stating that she didn’t “want tonight to end. My favorite night of all season.” Her score of 10 was the first of the evening for the pair.
- Bruno Tonioli, visibly throwing flowers at the couple, called the routine “wickedly good and drop-dead gorgeous,” adding that actress Cynthia Erivo, who performs the song in the film, “would be proud.” He followed with the second 10.
- Guest judge Jon M. Chu provided an especially poignant compliment, connecting Chiles’ ballroom fire to her Olympic pedigree: “I saw you at the Olympics in Paris, and I saw those eyes again tonight. You want to win this thing, I can tell.” He awarded a 10.
- Derek Hough was the only holdout, giving a 9 despite praising the routine as “so stunning.” He noted that while her technique was flawless, he still wanted to “see the emotion even more.” However, his playful sparring with Carrie Ann over the critique only further emphasized the dance’s immense success.
The moment the 10s were revealed was a chaotic burst of pure joy. Chiles and Sosa went wild, with Chiles running in jubilant circles around Sosa, who repeatedly dropped to the floor in sheer disbelief and excitement, even getting momentarily bleeped by the live feed as they embraced the monumental score of 39/40.
A Partnership Obsessulated by Fans
Beyond the technical skill, fans have been overwhelmingly vocal about the genuine, endearing bond between the Olympian and her pro partner. Social media was flooded with praise for their strong connection:
- “I love their partnership so much. Honestly, my winners!” wrote one passionate fan, while another affirmed the star’s ascension: “THATS our girl!! We knew you could bring it
keep going!!” - The raw emotionality resonated deeply, with one commenter summing up the experience simply: “That left a handprint on our heart.”
Ezra Sosa’s creative choreography and Jordan Chiles’ unwavering dedication, which she attributes to her Olympic training, have created a compelling narrative arc this season. After hovering in the middle of the leaderboard for several weeks, frequently earning scores in the 7s and 8s, this breakthrough performance on “Wicked Night” was the statement moment Chiles needed. It not only showcased her ability to move beyond technical precision into emotional vulnerability but also firmly established Team Jordan & Ezra as top contenders heading into the final stretch of the competition.
