Jordan Chiles on What She Would've Changed For Her "DWTS" Debut

Jordan Chiles may be an impressively decorated Olympic gymnast, but when it comes to ballroom dancing, she's still finding her footing. As a celebrity contestant on "Dancing With the Stars," Chiles fell in the bottom five during the recent season 34 premiere. But Chiles is no stranger to the comeback arc.

After a contentious 2024 Olympics where her bronze medal was revoked due to a scoring controversy, she's back on top, having led the UCLA Bruins to a Big Ten championship in 2025 and an individual all-around title. In an Instagram post reflecting on her Olympics experience, Chiles wrote, "Still here. Still fighting. Still that girl."

Fans who've watched Chiles compete on the gymnastics floor know the kind of passion and grit she brings to the sport. And in an interview after the first episode of "Dancing With the Stars," she sounds ready to bring that same fight to the ballroom.

Popsugar: What was the most surprising part about dancing on night one?

Jordan Chiles: Honestly, the speed of it all. In gymnastics, I am used to a set routine where every move is locked in. On that dance floor, it felt like the music, the crowd, the cameras, all hit at once. The adrenaline was so strong. One second I was starting and the next it was over. I wanted to run it back.

PS: What has the experience so far taught you about what your body is capable of?

JC: It showed me how much my body can adapt to different environments. I have trained my whole life to flip and stick landings. Dancing asks for my body to flow in a different way. It reminded me that my body can perform under a different set of rules.

PS: What emotions or feelings did you have after the performance?

JC: I felt pure adrenaline, joy, excitement, and relief all at once. We went first so there was no time to relax. When it ended, I just wanted to hug Ezra [Sosa] because this means a lot to both of us. It was not perfect, but I left the floor knowing I gave it everything.

PS: What has the preparation been like leading up to this season's premiere?

JC: Intense. The rehearsals are hours long, and I have been sore in muscles I never noticed before. I'm also still training gymnastics at the same time because our season is coming up. It feels nonstop, but it has been so much fun. I'm having to unlearn gymnast habits and relearn how to move like a dancer. All that grind made night one feel worth it.

PS: What has it been like working with your partner?

JC: It has been amazing. Ezra is the right mix of patience, but he also knows how to push me. We laugh a lot . . . and I mean A LOT in rehearsal, but when it is time to lock in, he keeps me focused. It feels like having a new teammate, and that is something I love. The fact that we get to be on this journey together is everything.

PS: Did you have any preshow rituals?

JC: I centered myself the same way I do before a gymnastics routine: deep breath, quick prayer, and remind myself I got this. I also stretched because I was not about to pull a muscle on national TV.

PS: Is there anything you would change about your performance?

JC: I would remind myself to relax. As a gymnast, I chase perfection. Dance is not about that. It is about telling a story. If I could change anything, I wouldn't, because everything happens for a reason. We learn from every up and down.

PS: What are you looking forward to most about next week?

JC: I am excited to show this next dance off. Night one was about proving to myself I could do it and sharing that moment with Ezra. Next week, I want to bring more technique and just enjoy what I'm doing. I'm literally on "Dancing With the Stars," which is a dream, so I want people to see me out there having fun!

Alexis Jones (she/her) is the section lead of the health and fitness verticals at Popsugar, overseeing coverage across the website, social media, and newsletters. In her seven-plus years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions for and expertise in mental health, women's health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.