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2 clusters · 8 sources · 21 days · First seen about 1 month ago · Last updated 10 days ago

DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko feud

Overview

In mid‑July 2026, professional dancer Gleb Savchenko told Us Weekly that DWTS pros should avoid dating their celebrity partners, citing his own turbulent off‑and‑on relationship with former partner Brooks Nader as a cautionary tale. He warned that such entanglements could ruin a dancer’s career and personal life.

A few weeks later, former reality‑TV star Maura Higgins publicly declared she would accept any DWTS partner except Savchenko, referencing her loyalty to Nader and criticizing Savchenko’s remarks about women. Savchenko responded that he had never heard of Higgins, would not be bothered by her comments, and warned that backstage interactions would become “really awkward.” The exchange heightened media attention ahead of the September premiere of season 35, turning Savchenko’s dating advice into a broader backstage dispute.

In early August, Higgins told DWTS producers she does not want to be paired with Savchenko, again citing his comments about women and her allegiance to Nader. Savchenko called the feud “unnecessary drama,” said he was unaware of Higgins before her remarks, and insisted he would remain professional. Producers anticipate that the two will likely avoid each other backstage, adding further tension to the season’s atmosphere.

Entities

The Traitors · Gleb Savchenko · Maura Higgins · Dancing With the Stars · Brooks Nader

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Maura Higgins said she would be happy with any DWTS partner except Gleb Savchenko.
[● 3 SOURCES] Higgins said she is loyal to friend Brooks Nader and dislikes how Savchenko speaks about women.
[● 3 SOURCES] Gleb Savchenko said he had never heard of Maura Higgins before being asked to comment and will not lose sleep over her opinions.
[● 3 SOURCES] Savchenko warned that backstage will be awkward and he and Higgins will likely avoid each other.
[● 2 SOURCES] Gleb Savchenko and Brooks Nader had a romantic relationship that ended in April 2024.
[● 2 SOURCES] Savchenko described his relationship with Nader as “the worst sex of my life.”
[○ 1 SOURCE] DWTS season 35 is scheduled to premiere on 15 September 2026.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Maura Higgins is a former star of the reality series “The Traitors.”

Timeline

10 days ago

[CULTURE] 8 sources
Maura Higgins' refusal to partner with Gleb Savchenko creates backstage tension on DWTS
Maura Higgins refuses to dance with Gleb Savchenko on DWTS, sparking a public feud and expected backstage awkwardness ahead of Season 35.
about 1 month ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
Gleb Savchenko warns DWTS pros not to date their partners
Gleb Savchenko advises DWTS pros against dating partners, citing his past relationship with Brooks Nader and warning it can ruin lives.

Sources

archynetys.com · coopamerica.org · cosmopolitan.com · eonline.com · irishmirror.ie · metro.co.uk · mirror.co.uk · tvinsider.com

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history