Paralympian Ezra Frech Responds to Young Fan's Costume

A five-year-old fan dressed as the Dancing with the Stars contestant for Halloween.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Dancing

Gouache-painted illustration of a red tuxedo jacket and a metallic disco ball trophy, celebrating a dance-themed Halloween costume tribute. — Five-year-old fan Brooks honored Paralympian Ezra Frech on Halloween by recreating the athlete's debut dance performance from the current competition season. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Paralympian Ezra Frech interacted with a young fan on TikTok after the five-year-old child named Brooks recreated Frech's debut dance performance for Halloween. Brooks wore a red suit with one leg rolled up and carried a model of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy to honor the athlete.

Why it matters

The interaction highlights Frech's growing influence as the first contestant on the show to compete with a mechanical knee. His performance has resonated with viewers, including young fans inspired by his historic run on the long-running dance competition.

Ezra Frech is 21 years old and currently competing in season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. He is partnered with Daniella Karagach, who won her first show title in 2021.

The players

Ezra Frech

He is a 21-year-old Paralympian and currently a contestant on the 35th season of Dancing with the Stars.

Daniella Karagach

She is a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars who is currently partnered with Ezra Frech.

The details

The viral video features five-year-old Brooks perfectly mimicking Frech's debut look from the competition. His mother tagged both Frech and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach, in the social media post to share the costume tribute.

October 25, 2026: Ezra Frech responded to the TikTok video posted by the fan.
2007: Heather Mills competed on Dancing with the Stars.
2014: Amy Purdy competed on Dancing with the Stars.
2015: Noah Galloway competed on Dancing with the Stars.

Culture Shift

Frech's participation represents the ongoing evolution of representation for disabled athletes on the show since the 2007 appearance of Heather Mills. His presence highlights a broader societal shift toward inclusivity in prime-time entertainment formats.

Fans of the show can watch the competition air at 8 p.m. ET to see Frech's weekly performances. The costume tribute serves as a reminder of the show's accessibility and its role in bringing diverse athletic journeys to a national audience.

The takeaway

Celebrating personal heroes through costumes can create meaningful connections between public figures and their youngest supporters. These interactions demonstrate how television performances can inspire confidence and creativity in viewers of all ages.