**Gleb Savchenko Responds to Maura Higgins’ Refusal to Partner with Him on Dancing with the Stars**
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Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Gleb Savchenko has publicly addressed comments made by reality star Maura Higgins, who expressed her reluctance to partner with him for the upcoming season. Higgins, known for her appearance on The Traitors, conveyed her concerns during a May interview, citing Savchenko’s past relationship with her friend, Brooks Nader.
In a statement given to PEOPLE, Savchenko expressed disappointment at being judged based on what he considers a one-sided depiction of events. “It is disappointing to be judged based on a one-sided version of events rather than the facts,” he remarked. He further noted that until he was prompted to respond, he had not been familiar with Higgins, expressing surprise at her negative remarks about him.
Higgins, who will compete in the new season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) starting this autumn, had explicitly stated in her interview, “I’d be happy with anyone except Gleb,” due to her loyalty to Nader, who was previously romantically involved with Savchenko. Their partnership during the show’s 33rd season led to speculation about a romantic link, which ended in a breakup in October 2024, with reports claiming Nader had suspicions of infidelity.
Despite the allegations, Savchenko has consistently denied any wrongdoing, signalling that his past with Nader should not define his reputation moving forward. In her comments about Savchenko, Higgins shared her apprehensions regarding his manner of speaking about women. “I don’t really like the way he speaks about women,” she said. “I don’t really want to spend all my time with someone like that. I’m like, no thank you.”
As the drama continues, Higgins is gearing up for Dancing with the Stars alongside other notable participants, including reality star Ciara Miller, professional athlete Jackson Olson, and Jimmy Kimmel’s comedy partner Guillermo Rodriguez. The full lineup will be unveiled on Good Morning America later in September.
In preparation for her participation, Higgins recently connected with Dancing with the Stars veteran Mark Ballas, who provided insight into the demanding nature of the competition. “Mark had said to me, ‘It’s literally a marathon,’ and he was like, ‘It’s intense,’” she recounted, revealing her anticipation and apprehension about the intensity of the show.
Higgins is determined to make her mark during her debut on the dance floor, stating her intention to “bring her own flavour” to the competition while maintaining a light-hearted attitude. “I have two left feet, honestly,” she admitted, yet she remains committed to trying her best.
This season marks the 35th iteration of the beloved dancing competition, which promises to deliver excitement and entertainment. The premiere episode will be broadcast as a two-night event beginning on 15th September on ABC and Disney+. Fans can look forward to streaming each episode on Hulu the following day.
As the drama unfolds between Savchenko and Higgins, it remains to be seen how their interactions will play out on the show and whether the tensions will affect their respective performances. The anticipation surrounding this season is certainly heightened by the public spat, as viewers eagerly await the revelation of the remaining celebrity contestants involved in the competition.