Jordan Chiles is celebrating a milestone she never expected to reach on the ballroom floor. The Olympic gymnast earned her first-ever perfect score during the Nov. 18 semifinals of “Dancing with the Stars”, and she told People the moment still feels surreal. Chiles and her partner, Ezra Sosa, performed a Jive to “Raspberry Beret” and an Argentine tango to “U Got the Look,” earning a flawless 30/30 and securing their spot in the finale.
Speaking with People, Chiles joked that it was her “first perfect score in anything,” even after two Olympics. She said the achievement gave her a confidence boost and revealed she is already considering adding ballroom-inspired movement to her UCLA floor routine next season. The 24-year-old credited the moment to the growth she and Sosa have shared throughout the competition, calling their journey “remarkable” from week one to the semifinals.
On social media, fans echoed the excitement. One Instagram user commented, “my baby’s finally got a perfect score,” while another wrote, “Jordan, you deserved that.” The official DWTS account also posted photos from their tango, celebrating the milestone.Sosa later shared an emotional post of the moment they learned they made it to the finale, writing, “we freaking did it… blessed to have the best partner ever.”
A Night of High Scores and High Stakes
Chiles and Sosa went into Prince Night with one goal: finally earning straight 10s. Their semifinal Jive brought big energy and earned 27 points after judges praised its fun, fast pacing. Chiles admitted her competitive side came out, comparing the moment to making the Olympic trials.
For their second dance, Chiles asked Sosa to push her, and their Argentine tango delivered. Judges called it one of the strongest routines of the season, applauding her power, precision and willingness to take risks. Their perfect 30 capped off a 57/60 night and officially sent them to the show’s finale.
Speaking to Us Weekly, Chiles said she is glad her first perfect score came from DWTS. “If I was able to do it in heels… I can do it on a mat,” she said, adding that the achievement gives her momentum heading into her UCLA season.
Balancing Classes, Training and the Ballroom
Off the dance floor, Chiles has been juggling rehearsals with classes at UCLA and training for the upcoming gymnastics season. She admitted the schedule has been exhausting at times, but she has learned to ask for help from her friends, teammates, family and Sosa. She said letting people support her has helped her find balance and joy in the middle of long days.
Despite the pressure, Chiles said she is fully embracing the experience and excited for the finale. As she told People, “That’s my first perfect score in anything — and I’m so happy it was on Dancing with the Stars.”
