The ballroom floor of Dancing With the Stars has once again proven to be a theater of unpredictable twists, high emotions, and viral family dynamics. As Season 35 kicked off its high-stakes run, the competition delivered an immediate shockwave during its two-night premiere event on September 16. Among the most talked-about moments of the opening week was the swift and unexpected elimination of contestant Sarah Jane Nader and her professional partner, Hailey Bills. While the sudden departure cut short a historic partnership, it also triggered a wave of playful yet pointed reactions from Sarah Jane’s famous family, turning an early exit into a prominent pop culture talking point.
The elimination sent ripples through both the viewing audience and the Nader family household. Brooks Nader, a model who previously competed on Season 33 of the celebrity dance competition alongside professional partner Gleb Savchenko, made her feelings immediately clear. Taking to social media to respond to an E! News Instagram post detailing her younger sister’s exit, Brooks bluntly declared the outcome "Robbed."
Despite the fierce defense from her older sister, 24-year-old Sarah Jane Nader maintained an optimistic and grounded perspective. Her elimination was particularly poignant given the cultural significance of her partnership. Teaming up with Hailey Bills, Sarah Jane participated in only the second-ever all-female pairing in the history of Dancing With the Stars. Speaking in a post-premiere interview with Good Morning America, Sarah Jane reflected on the honor of breaking new ground on the national stage.
"As sad as we are to not dance next week—we were so excited—we’re just grateful we had this opportunity," Sarah Jane shared. "Our partnership was so special. Not only because we became best friends, but because we represent a whole community. Being the second-ever all-female pairing on the dance floor is such an honor. I hope somebody watching at home felt touched or seen or represented tonight, and so I hope we’ve done something impactful. Even though we don’t get to do it more, it felt really good and it was a really fun experience."
Chronology of a Swift Exit and Sibling Trolling
The timeline of Sarah Jane Nader’s journey on Season 35 was remarkably brief, emphasizing the brutal nature of early-round eliminations in reality television competition formats. Night one of the premiere introduced the celebrity-pro pairings and showcased the initial routines, setting high expectations for the diverse cast. However, night two brought the harsh reality of the show’s voting mechanics and elimination twist, abruptly halting the momentum of several couples, including Sarah Jane and Bills.
Rather than letting the disappointment linger in solemnity, Sarah Jane’s sisters—Brooks, 29, Mary Holland Nader, 27, and Grace Ann Nader, 26—opted to process the loss through signature sibling humor. The trio, known for their tight-knit dynamic and digital presence, immediately began documenting the aftermath of the elimination with a series of lighthearted pranks and jokes shared across Instagram and TikTok.
Following the broadcast, Brooks shared an image to her Instagram Stories featuring Mary Holland and Grace Ann sitting in a dressing trailer, accompanied by the caption: "We will never let her forget this s–t, it’s sooo funny." The humor extended into the evening’s celebratory events. The sisters had custom merchandise made for the premiere, featuring matching T-shirts printed with the slogan "Vote For Sarah Jane." Following the elimination, the family executed a rapid pivot, using a marker to cross out the first two words of the slogan. In a TikTok video posted to Mary Holland’s profile, Brooks jokingly remarked, "In times of need, we pivot!"
The teasing continued at a post-show dinner at Craig’s restaurant in Los Angeles, a popular celebrity hotspot. The group had ordered a custom printed menu that originally commemorated "Sarah Jane and Hailey’s First Dance." Demonstrating their commitment to the bit, one of the sisters took out a tube of lipliner, crossed out the word "first," and rewrote it to read "last." Mary Holland captioned the accompanying TikTok footage with deadpan sarcasm, calling it a "celebratory dinner after a long hard season."
Broader Context and the Season 35 Cast Lineup
Sarah Jane Nader’s participation and subsequent exit highlight the ongoing evolution of Dancing With the Stars as it enters its milestone 35th season. By featuring an inclusive and diverse slate of contestants paired with world-class professional dancers, the long-running ABC hit continues to generate substantial cultural discourse. The inclusion of an all-female partnership underscores the production’s continued commitment to modern representation, mirroring broader shifts in mainstream entertainment toward diverse narrative arcs.
The current season features a eclectic mix of actors, reality television personalities, athletes, and internet creators, all vying for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The complete roster for Season 35 showcases a wide spectrum of talent:
- Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa, bringing cinematic pedigree to the ballroom.
- Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, bringing culinary energy to the dance floor.
- Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, leveraging extensive musical and theatrical backgrounds.
- Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, marking a return for the 90s pop icon.
- Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, infusing classic television nostalgia into the competition.
- Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, pairing a seasoned professional dancer with a celebrated actress.
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, transitioning elite figure skating precision to the ballroom.
- Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, showcasing elite Paralympic athletic prowess.
- Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills, making history with their all-female partnership.
- Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold, representing the influence of digital comedy creators.
- Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman, continuing a multi-season family legacy on the show.
- Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, bringing Bachelor Nation representation to the dance floor.
- Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, bridging professional baseball with ballroom arts.
- Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, injecting comedic relief and fan-favorite charisma.
- Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, preparing for high-intensity physical conditioning.
- Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, realizing a long-held manifestation board dream.
Analysis of Early Eliminations and Show Dynamics
The abrupt departure of a contestant during a season premiere week always initiates a strategic recalibration for both the production team and the remaining competitors. Early eliminations often rely heavily on a combination of baseline fan engagement, pre-existing digital followings, and unpredictable live voting curves. In Sarah Jane Nader’s case, despite her prominent family backing and the historic nature of her partnership, the competitive landscape of Season 35 proved unforgiving.
From an industry perspective, early exits that spark intense public debate or viral social media commentary often serve a dual purpose for reality formats. While losing a compelling narrative arc early can disappoint fans invested in specific storylines, the ensuing digital discourse—exemplified by the Nader family’s viral TikTok and Instagram coverage—maintains viewer engagement and drives cross-platform interest in the remaining episodes.
As Season 35 progresses, the remaining couples must navigate increasingly complex choreography styles, stringent judge critiques, and fluctuating audience sentiment. While Sarah Jane Nader’s time on the ballroom floor was cut short, the lasting impression of her partnership, combined with the viral humor of her sisters, ensures that her brief run will remain one of the most memorable talking points of the premiere week.
