Who Is Ezra Frech's Mom? Meet Bahar Soomekh After DWTS Cameo
Dancing With the Stars’ Daniella Karagach Shares Daughter's Adorable Nickname for Partner Ezra Frech
It takes two to tango, but three to earn Dancing With the Stars season 35's first-ever perfect 10.
Ezra Frech entered record books when he performed a contemporary routine with both pro partner Daniella Karagach and his mom Bahar Soomekh during Oct. 20's Dedication Night episode, receiving top marks from guest judge Kym Johnson.
According to the two-time Paralympian, the dance—set to “Bloodline" by Mon Rovia—was his way to honor his mother for all the she "sacrificed" in raising him.
"She was in Academy Award-winning films at the peak of her career as an actress, and she left it all to take care of me," Ezra tearfully shared before his performance. "As a little kid, everywhere I went in public, there was people staring, pointing fingers, whispering about me. She worked so hard to get me to feel confident in myself."
Indeed, Bahar gave birth to the athlete with husband Clayton Frech in 2005 after starring in Best Picture Oscar winner Crash. Though she appeared on TV a handful of times following years, including credits in 24 and Bones, Ezra—who was born without his left knee and fibula—remained her top priority.
"You are my baby," the 51-year-old told her son in an Oct. 20 Instagram post. "You will forever be my baby. I love you forever, and the fact that I get to be in this life as your mom is the biggest honor of my life."
In fact, her emotional routine with Ezra referenced Robert Munsch's iconic children's book Love You Forever, which she often read to the track and field star when he was young.
"She's my best friend, my therapist, my life coach," Ezra told DWTS co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro after the performance, calling it the "honor of a lifetime to get to dance with her."
Ezra Frech/Instagram
And the judges agreed, with Carrie Ann Inaba tearing up as she delivered her critique.
"The impact you've had on your son has spread to all of us," she told Bahar and Ezra. "What I loved about this dance was not only the sentiment and the love that was so obviously expressed in every movement, but the momentum that picked up as you went off into your solo—as you spread your wings—and you told the story."
Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli described the dance as "life-affirming."
"That was brilliant," he continued, as Derek Hough added, "Mama, you were there during the sacrifices, the hard times, the resilience—all those things that you instilled in this young man. Thank you for allowing us to experience the gifts that you created."
To get to know Ezra and the rest of the season 35 cast, read on.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
You won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
The celebrity chef couldn't cha-cha-chop away the competition and was eliminated during the Sept. 22 episode.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
Sadly, the former '90s teen heartthrob did not MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35. He and his pro partner were axed from the competition on Sept. 29.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
Though her sister Brooks Nader was the fifth star to be eliminated on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star said goodbye to the competition after her debut episode on Sept. 16.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star followed his wife Whitney Leavitt's footsteps after her season 34 appearance, but he bid farwell to the season 35 competition during the Sept. 15 premiere.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star was ready to learn some new moves, but his time on DWTS was cut short on Oct. 13.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
Even though Summer House star had fans screaming "bravo," she was eliminated from the competition on Oct. 6.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
The Love Island U.K. alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience.
"I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
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