Ezra Frech Denied Christmas Song Choice for October ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Episode

Ezra Frech will not be bringing the holiday spirit to the ballroom just yet. While preparing for “Mariah Carey Night” on Dancing with the Stars Season 35, the Paralympic champion reportedly hoped to perform to the singer’s most ubiquitous hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” However, show producers reportedly determined that the October air date was too early in the season for the festive anthem.

Instead of a high-energy Jive to the Christmas track, Frech and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach, are scheduled to perform a Rumba to Carey’s 1993 ballad “Anytime You Need a Friend.” The shift moves the pairing from a fast-paced, rhythmic style to a dance known for its slow, sensual movements and technical precision.

The themed episode, airing Tuesday, October 6, 2026, on ABC and Disney+, arrives as the competition intensifies. The previous week, “Yacht Rock Night,” resulted in the elimination of Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, leaving 12 couples to vie for the Mirrorball Trophy.

Paralympic gold medalist is applying his athletic discipline to the ballroom.

Frech joins the Season 35 cast following a dominant performance on the world stage. He is a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, having secured victories in the 100m T63 and the high jump T63 at the Paris 2024 Games. His transition to the ballroom has seen him apply that same athletic discipline to complex choreography alongside Karagach, a former Mirrorball winner.

The full song and dance style lineup for “Mariah Carey Night” features a broad selection of the vocalist’s discography. While Frech tackles the Rumba, other remaining contestants, including Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, and Amber Glenn, will perform a variety of styles such as the Samba and Viennese Waltz. Despite the absence of Carey’s signature holiday track, the night is designed to celebrate her extensive catalog of pop and R&B hits.

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