How Little Person Terra Jolé Is Making Big Moves on 'DWTS'

Terra Jolé scored the first 9 on the show this season.

ByABC News
October 17, 2016, 10:13 AM

— -- Terra Jolé of “Little Women: LA” stands 4-feet, 2-inches tall. But that hasn't stopped her from accomplishing big things. The mother of two was the first contestant to score a 9 on this season's “Dancing With the Stars.”

Already a fan favorite for her grace and positive attitude on the dance floor, Jolé has a condition called dwarfism. She opened up to ABC News about overcoming her physical challenges.

“The most common type is called Achondroplasia,” Jolé, 36, said. “Our bodies are built a little bit differently but everything else is the same.”

Her professional partner on “DWTS,” Sasha Farber, said he had “never danced with a little person before,” and Jolé was in the same boat, adding, “I’ve never danced with an average-sized person before.”

Farber adjusts the dance moves they perform to better suit her small frame.

“She really does inspire me to create bigger and better numbers,” he said. “And there are specific things Terra can’t do. For instance, one of my steps would be three of Terra’s steps.”

Along with her busy dance rehearsal and performance schedule, Jolé is also balancing motherhood. Her 1-year-old daughter Penelope was also diagnosed with dwarfism, and Jolé is still waiting for the medical results of her newborn son Grayson.

“I called and was like, ‘This was done eight weeks ago. What’s going on?” Jolé recalled. “And they said, ‘The results still aren’t in.’ It almost felt like an elimination.”

Jolé said she wants her "DWTS" experience to become motivation for her young children.

"I want them to see that they can do it, too. I don’t want them to feel like there’s limitations out there," she said.

Her mission is also for America to see her as more than just a little person.

“In the beginning I said, ‘There’s going to be a moment when I hope that you no longer think of me as like you’re dancing with a little person. You’re just Terra,” she said of an early interaction with Farber. “And Sasha’s now looking at me like Terra, which is great, and I hope that America does too.”

“Dancing With the Stars” airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Related Topics