Gleb Savchenko striking a pose
Reality TV

Gleb Savchenko Drops Shirtless Snap After 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 Exit

The pro dancer is showing off his physique online right as ex-girlfriend Brooks Nader's sister joins the ballroom cast.

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 2 min read

Gleb Savchenko is taking his *Dancing With the Stars* exit in stride—and giving his followers plenty to look at while doing it. The veteran professional dancer has officially been cut from the lineup for Season 35 of the hit reality competition series, but he is not sitting at home nursing his disappointment quietly. Instead, the fan-favorite pro fired back on social media with a steamy photo that immediately set comment sections ablaze. The revealing shot featured Savchenko showing off his sculpted physique, proving that his time away from the mirrorball trophy will not keep him out of the spotlight. While viewers are still processing the sudden shakeup to the pro dancer roster, Savchenko seems intent on making sure everyone knows exactly what the show will be missing when the new season premieres. ## Why was Gleb Savchenko cut from Dancing With the Stars? Savchenko's absence marks a major shift for the long-running series. Over his multiple seasons on the show, the ballroom expert earned a reputation for intense choreography, high-energy routines, and plenty of off-camera buzz. However, network executives reportedly made the call to trim down and refresh the pro cast for the upcoming 35th installment, ultimately leaving Savchenko off the official lineup. The timing of his departure is also raising eyebrows across the reality TV space. Reports reveal that Savchenko's exit comes right as the show welcomes a newly added personality who happens to have a direct connection to his past romance: Sarah Jane Nader. ## Is Sarah Jane Nader joining Dancing With the Stars? Sarah Jane Nader is officially joining the fresh cast for the new season, stepping into the ballroom spotlight for the first time. She is the sister of model Brooks Nader, who previously dated Savchenko. The casting decision brings a fascinating web of personal history into the mix, even if Savchenko will not be present in the studio to navigate it alongside her. While fans will certainly miss seeing Savchenko compete on the dance floor this time around, his latest provocative post signals that his chapter in pop culture is far from closed. Whether he ends up returning to the franchise in the future or pursuing new ventures entirely, he clearly knows how to command the room—with or without a mirrorball.

The photos · 6

Gleb Savchenko and Brooks Nader in the story: Gleb Savchenko Drops Shirtless Snap After 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 Exit
The Russian dancer hinted that his future on the show is unclear, saying, “Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter — and wishing everyone an amazing season.
Savchenko first competed on “DWTS” Season 16 in 2013 but kicked off a decade-long streak with Season 23 in 2016, most recently competing alongside Hilaria Baldwin on Season 34 in 2025 (as pictured above).
Savchenko famously had a rocky on-again, off-again relationship with his Season 33 partner, Brooks Nader. (The two are pictured above.)
Savchenko’s exit coincides with Brooks’ youngest sister, Sarah Jane Nader, joining the Season 35 cast alongside pro partner Hailey Bills. (The pair are pictured together here.)
Savchenko and Brooks (pictured above on the Season 33 premiere) split after their elimination in October 2024 but reunited by the finale the following month.

More like this

Get the pop news brief

One daily email. The biggest celebrity, music and TV stories, no filler.

Reader reaction

Loading comments…

People also ask

Why is Gleb Savchenko not returning to Dancing With the Stars?
Reports confirm that Gleb Savchenko was left off the professional dancer roster for Season 35 as part of a cast refresh.
Who is Gleb Savchenko's ex-girlfriend?
Savchenko previously dated model Brooks Nader, whose sister Sarah Jane Nader has joined the new DWTS cast.