Briar Nolet became the first contestant to be sent home from this year's Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro. The premiere episode aired on Monday, July 13. The show has 12 dancers competing for a spot as a pro on season 35 of Dancing With The Stars.
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During the show, the men and women were divided before being formed into six pairs. Derek Hough, a six-time Mirrorball champion, was appearing as a guest judge. He informed the duos that the men would be performing a jive routine, while the women would be performing a samba.
To raise the stakes, the contestants were informed there would be a double-elimination to end the season premiere. The decision would be based on the dancer's overall technique.
Unfortunately for Briar, the pressure may have been too much. Just seconds into her solo samba performance, she slipped. We're not talking just getting your feet tangled, no, we're talking falling straight to the ground.
The moment may have been short-lived, and credit to Briar for getting straight back to her feet, but ultimately, it would appear that moment ended Briar's chances of progressing.
"I want to give her a hug," Nina Mayster, another contestant, said, via PEOPLE.
Adele Zaikman also chimed in, "Look at her face — she's pissed at herself," Adele said. "She's not down, she's mad at herself."
The Judges Shared Some Feedback With Briar Nolet
Once Briar's routine was over, the judges addressed her performance and, of course, her slip.
"I know you slipped," Mark Ballas said. "It happens, we've all slipped. It's not about falling, it's about getting up and carrying on, and you got up and you had that stank on your face and you launched yourself into that backflip and you kept going. I love that."
Unfortunately for Briar, Shirley Ballas had some much harsher critiques.
"When you stand, you stand with your toes together and your heels apart. So my suggestion is that you would go back to the drawing board and study from the waist downwards."
Upon hearing her name called during the elimination segment of the show, Briar shared her pride at taking part.
"It sucks to hear your name, but I'm so proud," Briar said. "I have lessons from some of the greatest in the industry through the comments, good and bad, and I'll take them in and figure out what's next."
The next episode of Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro is set to air on Monday, July 20 at 8 PM, Eastern Time.
