Executive Overview
As the glitz and glamour of reality television prepare to collide with the high-stakes world of competitive ballroom dancing, the Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) franchise is once again capturing public imagination with its milestone Season 35 cast announcement. Among the eclectic mix of athletes, actors, and internet personalities stepping onto the storied floor is Sarah Jane Nader, a rising star and breakout personality from the Freeform reality series Love Thy Nader.
However, Sarah Jane’s entry into the ballroom is far from a standard celebrity contest debut. She carries the torch—and the cautionary wisdom—of her older sister, model and television personality Brooks Nader, who competed in Season 33. Brooks, who finished in a respectable ninth place during her 2004 run, has made international headlines not just for her routines, but for her high-profile personal entanglement with dance partner Gleb Savchenko.
Now, as Sarah Jane prepares to take the dance floor alongside newcomer professional dancer Hailey Bills—forming the series’ historic second same-sex duo since 2022 and only the third in the show’s 21-year history—the Nader family dynamic is once again under the microscope. In exclusive interviews given during New York Fashion Week, Brooks offered stark, unfiltered advice to her younger sibling: "Lock in, girl. Do as I say, not as I do. Do not do what I did."
This comprehensive report examines the intersection of reality television dynasties, the structural mechanics of Dancing with the Stars Season 35, the historic nature of Sarah Jane Nader’s partnership, and what this high-stakes family transition means for the broader entertainment landscape.
Detailed Chronology: From the Runway to the Ballroom
The narrative arc connecting the Nader sisters to the Dancing with the Stars universe spans multiple seasons, capturing a generational shift in how reality stars navigate the grueling physical and emotional demands of the ABC competition series.
Season 33: Brooks Nader’s Cautionary Tale
When Brooks Nader joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars for Season 33, she entered as a prominent model looking to expand her mainstream footprint. Paired with veteran professional dancer Gleb Savchenko, Brooks quickly became a fixture of both dance-related headlines and tabloid gossip. The intense, round-the-clock rehearsal schedule blurred personal and professional boundaries, leading to a romantic relationship between the star and her pro partner.
While the romance captured the attention of viewers and weekly gossip columns alike, it ultimately took a toll on Brooks’s focus. The model later confessed that having her partner over daily and getting sidetracked by personal drama hindered her full potential in the competition. Despite the distractions, Brooks pushed through to a respectable ninth-place finish, cementing her name in the show’s rich lore. Yet, the lasting legacy of her tenure was not just her cha-cha or her quickstep, but a hard-learned lesson in the necessity of singular focus within the ballroom.
The Season 35 Casting Announcement
Fast forward to September 2, 2024, during the official Dancing with the Stars Season 35 cast reveal. Twenty-four-year-old Sarah Jane Nader stepped into the spotlight, announcing her intention to compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. For Sarah Jane, the decision to join the cast was both an exciting career milestone and a daunting personal challenge.
Unlike her appearances on Love Thy Nader—where she is permanently tethered to her famous sisters, including Mary Holland and Grace Ann—this venture represents her first true solo flight in the public eye. Speaking exclusively to entertainment reporters at the cast unveiling, Sarah Jane admitted to feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation about being separated from her support system. The goal, she emphasized, was to show audiences her individual identity, independent of the collective Nader family brand.
New York Fashion Week and the Passing of the Torch
The dialogue between the sisters reached a critical juncture on September 10, during the Live From E! Stream: Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2027 Runway Show at New York Fashion Week. Seated alongside sister Mary Holland Nader, Brooks elaborated on the specific counsel she gave Sarah Jane upon learning of her casting.
Recounting her backstage advice, Brooks stated:
"I said, ‘Lock in, girl. Don’t even think about it. Do as I say, not as I do. Do not do what I did. I had my partner over every day. I was so distracted. I said, ‘Just do the opposite of what I did.’ And she was like, ‘Noted.’"
Brooks also established high-stakes friendly competition within the family. Noting that she finished in ninth place during her season, Brooks jokingly set a clear benchmark for her younger sister: "If she doesn’t go further than me, I’ll never let her forget that, ever. And if she does go further, I’ll be applauding every step of the way."
Furthermore, logistical constraints have added a hard deadline to Sarah Jane’s potential survival on the show. Because Brooks will be traveling out of town during the middle weeks of the competition, she laid down an ultimatum for her sibling: "I’m going to be gone for her middle dances. So, I was like, ‘You better make it past October 15th because I’m out of town.’ So, there’s some motivation."
Supporting Context & Metrics: A Historic Partnership
Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars marks a watershed moment for the franchise, largely driven by the casting choices surrounding Sarah Jane Nader.
Breaking Barriers: Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills
In a major structural shift for the network television competition, Sarah Jane has been paired with Hailey Bills, a talented newcomer stepping into her first season as a professional dancer on the show. This pairing constitutes a same-sex celebrity-pro partnership—only the second in the show’s history since 2022, and the third overall across the program’s remarkable 21-year tenure.
The historical significance of the pairing has not been lost on the Nader family. Brooks expressed profound admiration for both women, highlighting the immense physical and mental labor required to break new ground on network television:
"I’m so proud of both of them. Hailey is such a talented dancer, and for this to be her first season is so special. To make history is always the coolest thing ever. They’re working extremely hard. I have to hand it to them. There’s no time for chitter-chatter, and I’m so proud. So, we’ll see what happens on the dance floor. I can’t wait!"
The Broader Season 35 Cast Lineup
Sarah Jane Nader will not be the only notable name stepping onto the ballroom floor when Season 35 officially kicks off on September 15. The production team has assembled a diverse and culturally resonant roster spanning film, television, sports, and internet culture:
- Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa: The iconic 10 Things I Hate About You star brings silver-screen pedigree to the competition.
- Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten: The celebrity chef looks to translate kitchen precision into nimble footwork.
- Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson: The acclaimed Glee actor and dancer brings formal musical theater training to the ballroom.
- Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart: The former ’90s teen heartthrob aims to capture nostalgic voting blocs.
- Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alumna returns to prime-time network television.
- Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy: Twenty years after her breakout performance in Step Up, Dewan returns to her professional dance roots.
- Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov: The 2026 Olympic figure skater transfers elite ice-skating balance to hardwood floors.
- Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach: The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete brings elite athletic conditioning to the stage.
- Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold: The comedian, widely known as "Fibula" online, represents the bridge between digital media and traditional television.
- Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star follows in the footsteps of his wife, Whitney Leavitt, who competed in Season 34.
- Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess: The prominent Bachelor Nation alumnus trades roses for rumbas.
- Jackson Olson & Emma Slater: The Savannah Bananas baseball sensation transitions his showmanship from the diamond to the dance floor.
- Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson: The beloved Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick brings comedic relief and raw enthusiasm.
- Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong: The Summer House star prepares to test her physical stamina against professional-grade choreography.
- Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas: The Love Island UK alum fulfills a long-held vision board manifestation to compete on the show.
Official Statements and Family Dynamics
The Nader family brand—boosted by their Freeform reality series Love Thy Nader—thrives on transparency, sibling rivalry, and mutual support. While the sisters are known for sharing the intimate details of their personal lives with viewers, Sarah Jane’s entry into Dancing with the Stars marks a deliberate pivot toward individual empowerment.
Mary Holland Nader, speaking alongside Brooks at New York Fashion Week, confirmed that the entire family collective—including sister Grace Ann Nader—is fully mobilized to support Sarah Jane’s opening night performance:
"The whole family will be at the first dance, so we will be supporting, as we always are."
Despite this unified front, Sarah Jane’s primary motivation remains breaking out of the collective family shadow. Reflecting on her casting during an exclusive interview with E! News, she shared:
"I’m excited and scared in a way to be separated from my sisters during this and doing something so on my own. I’m excited for people to see who I am as an individual and not just as a sister and yeah, just challenge myself."
Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for Season 35
As the countdown to the September 15 premiere of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 enters its final hours, the stakes for Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills could not be higher. Beyond the physical rigors of learning complex ballroom choreography—ranging from the aggressive energy of the Paso Doble to the delicate grace of the Viennese Waltz—the historic nature of their partnership places them under intense media scrutiny.
For Sarah Jane, avoiding the specific pitfalls that claimed her sister Brooks’s competitive edge will be paramount. With Brooks explicitly warning her against romantic or social distractions in the rehearsal studio, and with a strict family deadline looming on October 15, the young reality star enters the ballroom with both a clear roadmap of what not to do and a formidable athletic partner in Hailey Bills.
If the early rehearsal reports and family backing are any indication, the Nader family name is poised to make a much longer, more disciplined run at the Mirrorball Trophy this time around. Whether Sarah Jane can outlast her sister’s ninth-place finish—and satisfy the rigorous demands of the judges and voting public—remains one of the most compelling storylines of the upcoming television season.
