Nader Debuts in DWTS Second Female Pairing

Sarah Jane Nader said she was “immediately overwhelmed and excited” by the idea of joining the cast after watching Brooks Nader’s experience, which Brooks described as one of the best experiences of her career. Sarah Jane said she hopes to emulate Brooks’ work ethic and refusal to let fear control her.
Brooks Nader’s advice to Sarah Jane included “Soak up every moment and try to be present because it flies by” and “Don’t hook up with your partner,” drawing on Brooks’ own on-and-off romance with her professional partner Gleb Savchenko.
Sarah Jane and Hailey Bills have been seen holding hands while leaving rehearsals and attending the U.S. Open together. Sarah Jane said their relationship is focused on dance and does not have the same romantic dynamic as Brooks and Gleb’s partnership.
Brooks Nader told TMZ that Sarah Jane and Hailey’s partnership is “iconic” and “making history,” adding that they are “really cute,” “such a vibe together” and have “good synergy.”
Sarah Jane Nader’s season 35 debut is scheduled to air as a two-night premiere on Tuesday and Wednesday on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming on Hulu the following day.
Sarah Jane Nader is making history on Dancing With the Stars season 35 as part of the show's second all-female celebrity-pro pairing, dancing alongside first-time professional Hailey Bills. Sunday Guardian Live reports the partnership carries significant weight for the openly queer star, who sees it as a chance to provide the LGBTQ+ representation she lacked growing up on television.
The pairing follows JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson's historic 2021 partnership and continues a trend of groundbreaking moments on the show. Mandatory notes that Sarah Jane felt
Sarah Jane's entry to the show comes after watching her sister Brooks Nader compete in season 33, where Brooks finished ninth with professional partner Gleb Savchenko. According to Yahoo, Sarah Jane said the experience left her "immediately overwhelmed and excited" to join the cast herself.
Brooks Nader, who described her own DWTS run as one of the best experiences of her career, offered Sarah Jane direct counsel about the competition. US Magazine reports Brooks told her younger sister to "soak up every moment and try to be present because it flies by" and cautioned her: "Don't hook up with your partner."
Brooks drew from her own on-and-off romance with Savchenko during season 33. She emphasized the importance of staying focused on the dance and maintaining professional boundaries while competing.
For Sarah Jane, dancing with another woman on prime-time television represents something she never saw growing up. The openly queer star has said that seeing two women dance together could have transformed her own journey and provided the visibility she lacked as a young person.
Sunday Guardian Live notes the partnership carries both opportunity and responsibility. Sarah Jane described feeling the weight of representing LGBTQ+ audiences nationwide, a significance that extends beyond typical competition pressure.
Brooks Nader has become Sarah Jane and Hailey's biggest cheerleader. According to reporting, Brooks told media outlets their partnership is "iconic" and "making history," adding that the pair are "really cute" with "good synergy" and "such a vibe together."
Sarah Jane and Hailey have been spotted holding hands while leaving rehearsals and attending events like the U.S. Open together. Sarah Jane has emphasized their bond is rooted in dance and professional partnership, without the romantic complications that marked Brooks's season.
Sarah Jane's debut airs during a two-night premiere event on Tuesday and Wednesday on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will stream on Hulu the following day, giving fans multiple ways to watch the historic pairing compete for the first time.
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