Brooks NaderwarnedSarah Jane Naderto sashay from any drama.
After theLove Thy Naderstar was revealed as part of theDancing With the Starsseason 35 cast, she cheekily detailed Brooks’ advice for competing on the show, which was a not-so-subtle dig at her relationship with dance partnerGleb Savchenko.
“She said, ‘Don’t get distracted,’” Sarah Jane told E! News in an exclusive interview alongside partner and new proHailey Billsat the cast announcement event in New York Sept. 2, playfully winking at the camera. “And she told me to truly be present in every moment. I think that’s the best advice.”
Indeed, while Brooks—who dated Gleb on-and-off during her season 33 stint until their explosive breakup in 2025—didn’t pass up the opportunity to shade her ex, she also provided much more important words of encouragement.
“When she gets deep, it’s rare,” Sarah Jane explained. “But I’m like, ‘Oh she means it.’ And so, she really told me to just enjoy it because it’s one of the best experiences I’ll have in my career. I think it’s definitely the most exciting and scary thing I’ve done so far so I’m really, really excited.”
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And trust, the 24-year-old—who stars inLove Thy Naderalongside Brooks, as well as sistersMary Holland Nader, 27 andGrace Ann Nader, 26—is ready to carve her own path as a member of the second-ever only female duo inDWTShistory. (JoJo SiwaandJenna Johnsonplaced second on season 30 of the series.)
“I’m excited and scared in a way to be separated from my sisters during this and doing something so on my own,” Sarah Jane continued. “I’m excited for people to see who I am as an individual and not just as a sister and yeah, just challenge myself.”
Meanwhile, she joked that the competition isn’t quite over fo Brooks, 29, either.
“I am beating her score, I’ll have you know,” she added. “I’m very competitive.”
Hailey, for her part, was thrilled to learn that a competitive streak runs in the Nader family.
“I was hoping but I don’t need to hope anymore because I’m already seeing it,” the 20-year-old said. “She walks in the first day and she’s like, ‘I’m beating Brooks,’ and I was like, ‘Alright. Let’s try.’”
Want to size up the rest of Sarah Jane and Hailey’s competition? Keep reading for every member of theDancing With the Starsseason 35 cast.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
“Looks are not indicative of being in shape,” Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. “I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina.”
“I have a vision board and I redo it every year,” she told E! News in May. “This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year’s Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board.”
