DWTS Newcomer Sarah Jane Nader Makes History with Same-Sex Partner—Inside Her Bold Season 35 Debut

Lead-in Model-turned-TV-personality Sarah Jane Nader is stepping into a new spotlight this fall as she joins Dancing With the Stars Season 35 in the show’s third-ever same-sex partnership, teaming with first-time professional Hailey Bills. Sarah Jane Nader Makes DWTS History At just 23, Nader’s casting is already generating headlines for its cultural significance. The Love Thy Nader star and Bills, 20, will be only the second all-female duo in the franchise’s 35-season run, following JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson’s trail-blazing turn in 2021. Producers confirmed that the pair will compete from premiere night onward, ensuring weekly visibility for LGBTQ+ representation on one of primetime’s most-watched competition series. Why This Milestone Matters Nader has spoken openly about searching for queer role models growing up and says sharing the floor with another woman gives her “representation I never had”. For DWTS, the move continues the show’s gradual expansion of inclusive casting, a strategy that has helped attract younger, more socially engaged viewers and boost social-media conversation. Who Is Sarah Jane Nader? • Reality Roots: The Louisiana native first hit screens on Hulu’s hit docu-series Love Thy Nader, which chronicles the careers of Nader and her three fashion-model sisters. • Fashion Credentials: Off camera, she has fronted campaigns for Alice + Olivia and appear­ed in spreads for V Magazine and Sports Illustrated’s digital platforms. • Influencer Reach: Nader’s TikTok account tops 100 K followers, while her Instagram sits near 200 K—numbers expected to surge as DWTS episodes air. Fan Buzz and Social Media Metrics Within 24 hours of ABC’s cast reveal, the hashtag #SarahJaneNader logged more than 15 million views on TikTok, according to platform analytics. Her first rehearsal clip with Bills amassed 1.2 million views and 120 K likes in under eight hours, indicating strong viewer curiosity that could translate into votes on show night. What to Expect on the Ballroom Floor Insiders say the duo’s Week 1 routine will be a high-energy jive set to a late-2000s pop anthem, chosen to highlight Nader’s athleticism from years of competitive swimming. Judges will score live, but it’s the at-home audience whose votes can keep the groundbreaking pair in contention for the mirrorball trophy. Looking Ahead If Nader and Bills advance deep into the competition, they stand to become the most visible same-sex partners in U.S. reality-TV history—a win not only for LGBTQ+ representation but also for a show eager to refresh its legacy with Gen Z and millennial viewers. Either way, Sarah Jane Nader’s DWTS debut ensures she’ll be one of the most searched-for names of the TV season.