Ezra Frech Leans On 'Mentor' Amy Purdy For His 'DWTS' Debut

Ezra Frech officially made his grand entry into the *Dancing With the Stars* ballroom for Season 35, bringing serious athletic firepower to the dance floor. But the 21-year-old Paralympic track and field star did not take on the grueling reality competition without some elite preparation. Before stepping out under the glittering lights for his very first routine, he had a former finalist in his corner offering a treasure trove of insider guidance. That supportive ally is none other than Amy Purdy, who famously tore up the ballroom back during Season 18 in 2014. Purdy made history as the series' first double amputee contestant, ultimately capturing an impressive second-place finish alongside professional partner Derek Hough, right behind winners Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy. Fast forward to the Season 35 premiere on Tuesday night, September 15, and the 46-year-old pioneer was sitting right in the studio audience, enthusiastically cheering on her younger friend.

Is Amy Purdy mentoring Ezra Frech on DWTS?

Following his big debut, Frech gushed about their longstanding connection, calling Purdy a dear friend who has offered valuable mentorship over many years. He revealed that as soon as she caught wind of his involvement with the reality show, the two began texting constantly. She showered him with heaps of advice on how to navigate the intense training schedules, mental stamina, and live performance jitters. The young star even dished on a funny moment that unfolded right before the official roster was unveiled. Purdy texted him a day prior asking outright if he was hitting the dance floor for Season 35. Due to strict non-disclosure agreements and cast secrecy, Frech had to stay silent and ignore the message until the news officially broke, after which he immediately fired back a reply to break down all the exciting details.

BUZZBEAT

Who is Ezra Frech paired with on DWTS?

When it was finally time to step into the spotlight, Frech delivered an electrifying tango alongside his professional partner, Daniella Karagach. Having Purdy watching from the stands provided an extra boost of confidence as he kicked off his reality TV journey. With a trailblazing mentor in his corner and a champion pro guiding his steps, Frech is poised to be one of the most compelling contenders to watch this season. As the competition heats up in the coming weeks, Frech plans to keep relying on Purdy's proven wisdom to help steer his ballroom trajectory. Fans are already eager to see how far this dynamic Paralympic athlete can go under her expert encouragement.