Former Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard has spoken out about his profound disappointment following a major career setback in the United States. The 31-year-old dancer, who spent four years on the flagship BBC television programme between 2016 and 2019, narrowly missed out on clinching the crown in the high-stakes American spin-off competition, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. Pritchard finished the grueling tournament in second place behind 24-year-old victor Adele Zaikman, falling just short of his ultimate ambition: securing a permanent professional spot on the US version of the franchise.
The journey to the grand finale was far from smooth, marked by intense scrutiny, on-screen friction with fellow competitors, public commentary from industry peers, and a fierce social media storm involving his fiancée, Zara Zoffany. Pritchard’s experience on the American programme has brought underlying tensions regarding coaching styles, the pressures of reality television, and the globalization of competitive dance to the forefront of entertainment news. As the dust settles on the dramatic finale, the incident underscores the precarious nature of reality television optics and the heavy toll that public exposure can take on high-achieving performers striving to reinvent their international profiles.
Detailed Chronology: From the BBC to the US Stage
The Strictly Years and International Ambitions
AJ Pritchard first household name status in the United Kingdom when he joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2016. Over a four-year tenure that concluded in 2019, he partnered with several high-profile celebrities, including pop star Mollie King and social media influencer Saffron Barker. Known for his sharp choreography and high-energy routines, Pritchard built a dedicated fanbase before stepping away from the BBC series to pursue broader entertainment and presenting opportunities.
Seven years after his debut on British television, Pritchard sought to expand his international footprint by crossing the Atlantic to compete in Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. The specialized program was designed to test elite dancers in a rigorous bootcamp format, with the ultimate prize being a coveted spot among the professional roster for the primary American television series. For Pritchard, it was viewed as a natural next step to re-establish his credentials on a global stage.
Clashes on Set and the Semi-Final Controversy
The pressure cooker environment of the competition soon began to fracture interpersonal dynamics among the cast. During the grueling semi-final stages, Pritchard was partnered with established Dancing with the Stars professional Rylee Arnold. While initial expectations were high, the creative partnership quickly ran into turbulence over Pritchard’s demanding rehearsal methods.
When invited to provide feedback to the judging panel—which included guest judges such as Strictly veteran Shirley Ballas and her son, fellow judge Mark Ballas—Arnold did not hold back. She acknowledged Pritchard’s undeniable talent and early lightheartedness, but characterized his approach as overly intense and unyielding.
"At the beginning I felt that lightheartedness, but I will say, he’s kind of intense," Arnold told the judges on camera. She expressed doubts regarding his ability to offer positive reinforcement to partners, describing his coaching style as "just constant critique."
The critique prompted an immediate reaction from the judging panel. Mark Ballas admitted to the cameras that he was deeply "concerned with the AJ feedback," signaling that Pritchard’s traditional, drill-sergeant-style European training methods were clashing with the more nurturing, entertainment-focused ethos favored in American reality television.
The Fiancée’s Intervention and Social Media Backlash
The tension on screen quickly spilled over into the digital realm, igniting a social media firestorm. Zara Zoffany, Pritchard’s fiancée—whom he met while filming the reality series The Challenge—initially rushed to his defense in the comments section of a viral post. Zoffany fired back at Arnold, asserting that Pritchard "would not have had to critique you in the first place if everything had been right."
The comment drew immediate blowback from international viewers and fans of the show, who accused Zoffany of undermining Arnold and fueling online hostility toward the US professional. Recognizing the escalating toxicity, Zoffany subsequently took to TikTok to issue a public apology, clarify her remarks, and address the severe online abuse directed at Pritchard.
In her video message, Zoffany stated: "I am sorry Rylee. I know whatever I say, people will disagree, but I just want to put this to bed, take accountability, and move on & celebrate all the finalists in tonight’s show!"
She elaborated on the distinction between technical perfectionism and malicious intent, explaining that Pritchard’s unwavering dedication to the textbook mechanics of dance stemmed from his desire for excellence. "Maybe Rylee did say some nice things about him, but I just feel like there’s a fine line between criticism and confidence," Zoffany explained. "When you’re so confident in your craft and you know the textbook so well, you want it to be perfect… I just want to say if you are watching this Rylee, from the bottom of my heart, I am truly sorry if I made you feel a certain type of way. That was never my intention."
Despite the apology, Zoffany also took the opportunity to call out toxic segments of the fandom, noting that Pritchard had been subjected to vicious online hate, personal attacks questioning his sexuality, and an unfavorable "villain edit" by producers looking to manufacture dramatic narratives.
The Grand Finale and the Aftermath
As the competition reached its climax, Pritchard was partnered with legendary Dancing with the Stars champion Charli D’Amelio for the final episode—a collaboration he later described as deeply "enriching." Despite delivering high-energy routines designed to captivate audiences, Pritchard ultimately fell short of the top prize. Adele Zaikman, a 24-year-old rising star in the dance community, was crowned the winner.
Reflecting on the result and his time on the programme, Pritchard admitted to feeling utterly devastated. Speaking to entertainment outlets, he confessed: “I’m absolutely devastated, from every being in my body.”
Yet, in public-facing statements made just prior to the finale, Pritchard attempted to maintain an upbeat perspective, releasing a video statement emphasizing the core ethos of his art form: “I had so much fun in the finale. That’s what it’s about – dance is about having fun, spreading joy, and just going out there and leaving a lasting memory and a smile on everybody’s face.”
Meanwhile, the victorious Adele Zaikman took to Instagram to celebrate her milestone achievement, posting: “Still can’t believe I WON!! I’m honestly overwhelmed by all the love and support. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This journey challenged me, taught me so much, and gave me some incredible new friends along the way.”
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Wider Debate on British Talent
Pritchard’s US career blow occurs against a backdrop of broader, ongoing industry debates concerning nationalism, representation, and the cultural identity of dance professionals within major franchise television. Earlier in the year, Pritchard made headlines in the British press by expressing a desire to see more homegrown British dancers featured prominently on the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking to The Sun, he remarked: “We’re in the UK, I’m proud to be British, and there are so many fantastic boys and girls out there who would opportunity.”
The comments drew a sharp and public rebuke from fellow former Strictly professional Oti Mabuse. Utilizing her platform to address the remarks via social media and video broadcasts, Mabuse challenged the premise of Pritchard’s argument by highlighting the profound contributions of international dancers to the British show’s historic success.
“The most popular pros on Strictly have not been British,” Mabuse stated bluntly. “I’m talking Aljaz [Škorjanec], I’m talking Giovanni [Pernice], I’m talking Janette [Manrara]. Even now, Vito [Coppola], Nikita [Kuzmin], Alexis, Katya [Jones]. Even back in the day… Vincent Simone, Ola Jordan, Kristina Rihanoff, Natalie Lowe. Those are the legends. And they’re not British.”
Mabuse argued that Pritchard’s perspective risked alienating international audiences and misrepresenting the core identity of the franchise. “So you can imagine that for a lot of people, that would have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way,” she said. “And also, Strictly is different. Out of all the brands… No, we are global. Our professionals are global because that global mixture is what makes us beautiful and is what makes us special.”
This public sparring added an extra layer of professional friction for Pritchard, positioning him as a polarizing figure within the tight-knit community of elite ballroom and Latin dancers. Critics pointed out the irony of Pritchard championing local representation in the UK while simultaneously crossing the Atlantic to seek employment in a foreign market, while supporters argued he was merely advocating for domestic talent development.
Official Statements and Industry Reactions
The collision of intense physical training, reality television editing, and off-screen commentary has generated significant discourse among television executives and dance purists alike.
- AJ Pritchard: Focused heavily on the artistic and emotional rewards of his final performances, noting the joy of collaboration while conceding the raw pain of defeat. His team has emphasized his commitment to maintaining professional standards despite the hurdles faced during the US bootcamp.
- Rylee Arnold: Maintained an outward stance of professional courtesy following the initial on-air disputes, though her willingness to highlight rehearsal room friction exposed the culture clash between rigid European coaching methods and modern American reality TV expectations.
- Zara Zoffany: Publicly fell on her sword to protect her fiancé, issuing an unreserved apology to diffuse tensions while simultaneously condemning the vitriolic cyberbullying and invasive personal commentary directed at Pritchard by online trolls.
- Oti Mabuse: Stood firm on her defense of international dance representation within television franchises, emphasizing that excellence transcends national borders and that global talent remains the lifeblood of prime-time entertainment.
Future Outlook
As AJ Pritchard processes the disappointment of his second-place finish on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, industry analysts are left evaluating what lies ahead for the dancer’s international career. Securing a permanent position on the American flagship series would have represented a massive commercial and professional pivot, opening doors to lucrative brand partnerships, US touring opportunities, and elevated status within the global dance community.
With that door temporarily closed—and with lingering questions surrounding his coaching style and public persona—Pritchard faces a critical juncture. The intense scrutiny of the US market has demonstrated both his undeniable technical brilliance and the potential pitfalls of navigating highly edited, personality-driven reality television formats.
Whether Pritchard chooses to refocus his efforts on the UK entertainment landscape, pursue independent theatrical choreography, or seek alternative international ventures, the events of this season serve as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved when elite athletes and performers step into the blinding spotlight of global television franchises. For now, Pritchard must navigate the fallout of public critique, lean on the support of his fianceé and loyal supporters, and determine the next step in an unpredictable and high-pressure career.
