AJ Pritchard broke down in tears during a scene on Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro, confessing that "stress and exhaustion" have taken a heavy toll as he battles to become a professional dancer in America. The former Strictly Come Dancing star grew tearful while competing for a position on the show, revealing the weight of the opportunity had proved overpowering.
Emotional confession on The Next Pro
AJ, 31, was captured breaking down in footage from the show, with fellow competitor Nina Mayster trying to console him as he spoke of his determination to succeed. In an emotional clip shared on Instagram, AJ said: "Especially when you do a routine and just want it to be perfect. For years and years I've wanted this and I don't want to go home."
The dancer acknowledged he may have put excessive demands on himself because of the significance of the opportunity. "I put myself under maybe too much pressure. Because I want to show how much this means to me," AJ told the cameras.
Sacrifices and pressure
Despite the intense examination, AJ remains committed to his American dream but has disclosed how much the opportunity has already demanded from him personally. "I've sacrificed so much to be here and do this. I've had to move my wedding," he admitted.
Contemplating the scale of his sacrifices, AJ said: "It's overwhelming when I actually think about the lengths I've gone to. To not achieve what I've given up everything for would just be so disappointing."
With such enormous stakes attached to his attempt to succeed in the US, AJ's emotional moment underscores the immense pressure he faces as he strives to demonstrate his worth and secure the future he has pursued for years.
Fan support and Oti Mabuse's response
Sharing his thoughts led to praise from fans. One commented on Instagram: "This was soooooo sweet !!" Another said: "Aww bless him!! Loved him on strictly wish him well in this." A third wrote: "This was a much needed moment for us viewers to see."
His confession comes as he seeks to make his mark in the US after his time on Strictly, where he became one of the programme's most recognisable professional dancers. His transatlantic move has also come amid criticism over his earlier remarks about Strictly.
Former professional Oti Mabuse recently responded to his comments that more British dancers should be given opportunities on Strictly because it is a British production. Oti said she had no objections to AJ chasing his dreams in America but hinted that the US might suit his character better.
"AJ is so controversial, it's so funny," she said on TikTok. "He might've rubbed people up the wrong way with his personality as well. I think we can admit that. Like him coming out in public and saying he wants British dancers on a British show, because Strictly is British. The most popular pros, THE most popular pros have not been British."
