Ezra Frech’s Striking Cha-Cha Revives Momentum After Shaky ‘DWTS’ Premiere

Paralympic track and field star Ezra Frech and professional partner Rylee Arnold delivered a technically sharp, emotionally resonant Cha-Cha during Week 2 of Dancing With the Stars, earning some of the night’s highest scores. It was also a huge bounce back for the pair, who received low scores and were slammed after their “Viral Hits” themed premiere in Week 1.

The pair looked more in sync, with crisper footwork and a confidence that was sorely missing in their first outing, dancing to “Levitating” by Dua Lipa. Judges praised Frech’s rapid improvement and dedication to the craft, saying he has a great shot at sticking around in the competition for a long time.

Dancing With the Stars Week 2 saw Ezra Frech and Rylee Arnold score big with their Cha-Cha to Dua Lipa’s “Levitating.” Judges praised their technical growth and performance, signaling a good rebound from their low score in Week 1. All four judges, including Derek Hough and Carrie Ann Inaba, had positive things to say about the pair.

Expectations were high for Frech’s second appearance after a Week 1 premiere that failed to connect with both the live audience and the judging panel. The first week’s theme, “Viral Hits,” had put pressure on celebrities to recreate internet-famous moments, a format that did not play to Frech’s strengths as a disciplined athlete.

Week 2 saw the competition return to traditional ballroom. Frech and Arnold picked the Cha-Cha, a Latin dance with fast-paced steps, hip action and playful energy. The routine was clean-lined, perfectly timed, and a marked improvement in Frech’s posture and arm styling.

Frech was stiff and unsure of herself a week ago. But in Week 2, she looked like a contestant who had taken the feedback to heart and applied it right away. The choreography relied on Frech’s athleticism and avoided gimmicks, letting his natural coordination shine.

The judges – Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman (via archival footage or guest judges depending on the broadcast configuration, but generally the core three are present) – all gave consistent praise.

The normally most critical judge on technique, Carrie Ann Inaba, said she saw a huge difference between the two weeks. She noted Frech’s footwork and the couple’s connection and said the improvement was “night and day.”

Derek Hough was impressed with the performance, saying Frech could work the camera and the audience. He said Frech’s “athlete’s mindset” is finally coming together, as he approached the dance training with the same rigor as his track and field preparation.

Exact numerical scores vary by broadcast segment and viewer voting integration. Still, the verbal feedback put Frech firmly in the safe zone, moving him up from the bottom of the leaderboard after Week 1.

Frech’s turnaround matters for several reasons. First, it shows how fickle the DWTS format is: one bad performance doesn’t necessarily doom a celebrity contestant if they can show a quick learning curve. Second, it highlights the value of choreographic appropriateness; the Cha-Cha let Frech showcase his speed and precision, but the Week 1 routine may have required a different kind of performative panache that was beyond his initial comfort zone.

“Frech’s journey is an underdog story that is compelling for viewers. As a Paralympian who has set world records in track and field, his move to the ballroom floor is being closely followed by fans of both sports. His resilience, a key trait in his athletic career, is shown in his ability to change course after public criticism.

Ezra Frech is a Paralympic athlete who has found success in track and field. He has won several medals at the Paralympic Games and World Championships. His casting on Dancing With the Stars Season 33 was seen as an effort to bring a high level of athletic discipline to the ballroom.

For Week 1 of Season 33, the theme was “Viral Hits,” and the couples had to recreate dances that went viral on social media. This theme was difficult for many traditional ballroom dancers and celebrities who aren’t used to the specific aesthetics of TikTok or Instagram trends. Frech’s Week 1 routine earned one of the lowest scores of the night and ignited a social media debate about the fairness of the theme for non-dancer celebrities.

Frech and Arnold will practice for Week 3, when a new dance style or team challenge is usually introduced. With the momentum from their Cha-Cha, the couple should be able to take advantage and choose a style that accentuates Frech’s improvement in both athleticism and musicality.

The competition is still close, with other celebrity-pro couples also fighting for the top spots. Viewer votes will play an even bigger role as the season progresses, and Frech’s comeback story could inspire support from viewers who appreciate his hard work and development.