HEARTBREAK: AJ Pritchard Breaks Down on Camera as Support Floods In
AJ Pritchard was supported by fans as he confessed that “stress and exhaustion” have exacted a heavy price as he battles to realise his ambition of becoming a professional dancer in America. The former Strictly Come Dancing star grew tearful while vying for a position on Dancing With The Stars, disclosing that the weight of the opportunity had proved overpowering.
AJ, 31, was captured breaking down during footage from The Next Pro, with fellow competitor Nina Mayster endeavouring to console him as he revealed the depths of his determination to triumph. 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 broke down on the show (Image: Instagram)
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The dancer acknowledged he may have placed excessive demands upon himself owing to the significance of the opportunity, reports Wales Online.
“I put myself under maybe too much pressure. Because I want to show how much this means to me,” AJ told the cameras.
Despite the intense examination, AJ remains committed to fulfilling his American dream but he has now disclosed precisely how much the opportunity has already demanded from him personally.
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“I’ve sacrificed so much to be here and do this. I’ve had to move my wedding,” he admitted.
AJ admitted to struggling with the sacrifices he’s had to make (Image: Instagram)
Contemplating the magnitude of the sacrifices he has undertaken, 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 guarantee the future he has been pursuing for years.
Sharing his thoughts led fans to praise his honesty. With the clip posted on Instagram, one fan commented: “This was soooooo sweet !!”
Another said: “Aww bless him!! Loved him on strictly wish him well in this.” A third penned: “This was a much needed moment for us viewers to see.”
His heartfelt confession arrives as he seeks to make his mark in the US after his time on Strictly, where he established himself as one of the programme’s most recognisable professional dancers.
AJ was known for his time on BBC’s Strictly (Image: PA)
AJ’s transatlantic move has additionally come amid criticism and controversy surrounding certain of his earlier remarks about Strictly.
Former professional Oti Mabuse recently responded to his opinions on the BBC programme, after AJ indicated that more British dancers ought to be afforded opportunities on Strictly because it is a British production.
Oti stated she had no objections to AJ chasing his dreams in America, but hinted that the US might perhaps suit his character more effectively.
“AJ is so controversial, it’s so funny,” she said on TikTok.
Addressing his prior statements, Oti added: “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.”
