Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold.Photo:Disney/Eric McCandless
Disney/Eric McCandless
Rylee Arnoldis celebrating herDancing with the Starspartner,Harry Jowsey.
“He’s never done something like this before, and he’s never danced before,” Arnold exclusively tells PEOPLE. “He’s never danced in front of a live crowd, [and] ultimately, he gets judged every single week."
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold dance a rumba to Taylor Swift’s “August.".Disney/Eric McCandless
Arnold says that Jowsey — who ended his time on the show with a rumba toTaylor Swift’s“August” earning him a judge’s score of 30 — “worked hard” each week and she had so much “fun” dancing with him this season and watching him grow.
“He’s just such a special person. I love that people are getting to see a side of him that he hasn’t shown,” Arnold says. “He’s so special and kind and genuine and just the best.”
As for her dance partner, he tells PEOPLE that he won’t be returning to the ballroom anytime soon as he doesn’t think he’s “got any skills when it comes to dancing.” But he says he will take away several other life lessons from the competition.
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold dance to Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off.".Disney/Eric McCandless
“I think the biggest takeaway for me is don’t be scared to be vulnerable, even if it’s scary and even if people hate you,” Jowsey, 26, says. “Just do it because there’s so much growth that happens in that.”
“I learned so much about myself and the person I want to become,” he explains. “I couldn’t be more grateful for this whole experience because it’s not what I expected. I thought I was going to dance two weeks [and] be gone, but the fact that we did it this far… Just so much gratitude.”
TheToo Hot To Handlestar also thanked his partner for having “put up with me, especially when I’m hungry,” and for inspiring him to challenge himself each week.
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold perform on ‘Dancing with the Stars.'.Disney/Eric McCandless
He adds that theDancing with the Starsteam is “incredible.”
“Everyone’s so incredible. It’s such a special team and thing to be a part of.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Dancing with the Starsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
source: people.com