Sarah Jane Nader is following in her sister Brooks Nader’s footsteps by competing on Dancing With the Stars — but she’s not planning to copy her every move.
In fact, Sarah Jane, 23, exclusively told Us on Wednesday, September 2, that Brooks, 29, gave her one warning ahead of stepping into the ballroom and it seemingly had to do with her ex-boyfriend DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko.
“She told me not to do anything she did, which is fine,” Sarah Jane said with a smile while attending the Dancing with the Stars post-cast reveal event in New York City.
The Love Thy Nader star noted that Brooks — who struck up a showmance with her season 33 partner Savchenko — also gave her some more positive advice.
“She really just said to enjoy every moment and, like, soak it up and embrace the challenging [side] of it all,” Sarah Jane recalled. “[She said] don’t be scared to embarrass yourself. And so I’m really just leaning in.”
While Sarah Jane experienced her sister’s highs and lows with Savchenko before he and Brooks split for good in April 2025, she isn’t letting their messy breakup plague her own time on the show. (Us exclusively confirmed in September 2024 that Brooks was “hooking up” with Savchenko amid their partnership. Brooks and Savchenko later split in October 2024 following their DWTS elimination before rekindling the romance that December.)
“I think this is my own journey, and I’m not really thinking about Gleb during it,” Sarah Jane told Us on Wednesday. “I mean, I think we’re really locked in on the dance of it all, and like, it’s a lot to think about already.”
She cracked a smile, adding, “So I’m not thinking about a sister’s ex, honestly.”
Luckily for Sarah Jane, Savchenko isn’t returning as a pro for season 35 — but he could always make a cameo or show up in the crowd to support his friends.
He broke his silence about not being a part of the cast this time around via Instagram, telling fans, “Guys, I promise… I’m good 😂❤️.”
Savchenko, 42, noted on Wednesday that he has “nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter — and wishing everyone an amazing season 🪩.”
Sarah Jane, meanwhile, is focused on making history after being paired with female pro Hailey Bills, marking the show’s first time two women have competed as partners.
“I’ve never ballroom danced, so I’m learning everything for the first time. All I’m going to know is female on female dancing,” Sarah Jane told Us of her approach to working with Bills, 20, who is a first-time professional herself. (Bills was previously a troupe dancer and is the niece of longtime pro Jenna Johnson.)
Bills exclusively told Us on Wednesday that she has “never danced with a female before” so it will be “an adjustment for sure.”
She explained, “Working with a girl, seeing who can be the lead, who can be the follow” is different than she’s used to.
“But I’m honestly having fun figuring it out. It’s like we can switch it up and be unique with it. So I think this is an awesome opportunity,” Bills added.
Dancing With the Stars premieres on ABC and Disney+ with a two-night event beginning Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes will stream the next day on Hulu.
