Brooks Nader Reacts to Gleb Savchenko’s DWTS Absence: ‘I Really Don’t’ Care
Brooks Nader has finally addressed her ex-boyfriend Gleb Savchenko’s absence from Dancing With the Stars Season 35, making it clear she is not particularly concerned about whether the professional dancer returned to the ballroom.
Nader spoke about Savchenko at the 2026 Emmy Awards on September 14, just one day before the new Dancing With the Stars season premiered. Asked about his absence, she gave a blunt response.
“I honestly barely even noticed,” Nader said, according to Us Weekly. “I was like, ‘Whatever.’”
She added that someone had told her Savchenko was not returning, but said she would not have cared either way.
“If he was back, I wouldn’t care. If he wasn’t, I wouldn’t care. I really don’t,” Nader said.
Why Gleb Savchenko Is Missing From DWTS Season 35
Savchenko was not included in the official Season 35 cast announced on September 2.
The professional dancer had been a regular presence on the ABC competition series for years, but Season 35 marks his first absence from the U.S. show since Season 23 in 2016, according to TV Insider.
Savchenko addressed the casting news himself shortly after the announcement, telling fans on Instagram that he was doing well and looking forward to his next chapter.
He also expressed gratitude for his years on the show and asked fans not to send him messages expressing sadness over his absence.
The specific reason for Savchenko’s Season 35 absence has not been publicly confirmed.
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko’s DWTS History
Nader and Savchenko were paired together during Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars in 2024.
Their professional partnership eventually became a romantic relationship, but the pair split after the season.
Their breakup later became a source of public controversy. Nader accused Savchenko of cheating, while Savchenko denied the allegations. Both have subsequently moved on with their lives and careers.
That history is one reason Savchenko’s absence has attracted renewed attention now that Season 35 is underway.
Brooks Nader’s Sister Joined DWTS Without Gleb
There was another connection between the former couple and the new season.
Brooks Nader’s younger sister, Sarah Jane Nader, joined the Season 35 cast. She was partnered with professional dancer Hailey Bills, creating one of the show’s same-sex pairings.
Brooks previously offered her sister advice before the competition began, including telling her to focus on the experience and avoid repeating the kind of romantic complications Brooks experienced with her own dance partner.
However, Sarah Jane’s Season 35 run ended almost immediately.
Sarah Jane Nader Eliminated in DWTS Season 35 Premiere
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated during the second night of the Season 35 premiere on September 16.
The pair received 14 out of 30 points for their jive to Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.” They were ultimately sent home alongside the other competitors at the bottom of the leaderboard.
The elimination gives the Nader family’s connection to this season of Dancing With the Stars an unexpectedly short run.
Why Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko Are Trending Now
Interest in Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko has resurfaced because several related developments converged around the Season 35 premiere.
Savchenko’s absence was confirmed earlier this month, while Nader publicly commented on it at the Emmys on September 14. Her sister then competed in the Season 35 premiere before being eliminated on September 16.
At the same time, Savchenko’s previous relationship with Brooks remains part of the broader DWTS storyline because the two became romantically involved after being paired on the show.
The combination of the new season, Savchenko’s absence and Brooks Nader’s latest comments explains why searches for the former couple have surged again.
What Brooks Nader Is Doing Now
Nader is no longer part of the current Dancing With the Stars competition, but she remains active in entertainment.
She is also set to appear in the upcoming Baywatch reboot, which is scheduled to premiere in early 2027. Nader told Us Weekly at the Emmys that the cast had recently completed filming after several months of work.
For now, her connection to Dancing With the Stars is largely through her sister’s brief Season 35 appearance and her past relationship with Savchenko.
As for Savchenko, his future with DWTS remains unclear. He has not publicly announced that he is permanently leaving the franchise, and the reason for his Season 35 absence has not been officially disclosed.
For viewers searching for the latest Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko update, the key development is therefore Nader’s own reaction: she says she barely noticed that her former partner was missing.
FAQs
Q1. Why isn’t Gleb Savchenko on DWTS Season 35?
Gleb Savchenko was not included in the official Season 35 cast. The specific reason for his absence has not been publicly confirmed.
Q2. What did Brooks Nader say about Gleb Savchenko not returning to DWTS?
Nader said she “barely even noticed” his absence and that she would not have cared whether he returned or not.
Q3. Were Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko a couple?
Yes. They became romantically involved after being paired together on Dancing With the Stars Season 33 in 2024 before later splitting.
Q4. Was Brooks Nader’s sister on DWTS Season 35?
Yes. Sarah Jane Nader competed with professional dancer Hailey Bills but was eliminated during the second night of the Season 35 premiere on September 16.
Q5. Is Gleb Savchenko permanently leaving DWTS?
There has been no public confirmation that Savchenko is permanently leaving the franchise. He has said he is looking forward to his “next chapter” after missing Season 35.
