Strictly's Ellie Goldstein Clarifies Tears Amid Dance Show Debut

Ellie Goldstein, the first contestant with Down syndrome on Strictly Come Dancing, reassured fans that she was not upset during the show's first live episode, despite appearing emotional and being comforted by fellow dancers. Ellie and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola performed a Cha Cha Cha to Ariana Grande's "Yes, And?" and received a score of 17, with judges praising her performance though noting some technical critiques. She clarified that her watery eyes were due to fatigue after a long day and not from distress, emphasizing her happiness and confidence on the show. Ellie expressed gratitude for the support from her family, agents, the Strictly crew, and Vito, highlighting that dancing makes her feel strong, confident, and herself. She also shared her hope to inspire others by showing what she can achieve and stressed that Down syndrome does not define her identity. Her openness and positivity have been met with widespread public support and admiration as she continues to make history on the show.