From Cosmopolitan · Corinne Sullivan · · 1m 40s
Sarah Jane Nader's historic DWTS run ends after week one
Love Thy Nader star made history as the second female-female pairing on Dancing With the Stars before her shock elimination.
In brief
Love Thy Nader star made history as the second female-female pairing on Dancing With the Stars before her shock elimination. Sarah Jane Nader became only the second female-female dance pairing in DWTS history, which she considers a win despite being eliminated in week one. Originally reported by Cosmopolitan.
Shock elimination in week one
Sarah Jane Nader and pro partner Hailey Bills were eliminated during Dancing With the Stars season 35's premiere after performing just one number, a jive to Avril Lavigne's Sk8er Boi.
“I didn't expect my spray tan to last longer than I did on Dancing With the Stars.”
Making DWTS history
Sarah Jane became only the second female-female pairing in DWTS history, following JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson in season 30 and Shangela and Gleb Savchenko in season 31.
“Being the second female-female pair and being able to represent the queer community on a show this huge meant so much to me.”
Pushing for queer representation
Sarah Jane had a conversation with DWTS casting director Deena Katz about doing a same-sex pairing and was insistent about the importance of that representation for the queer community.
“I think it's so important to have that representation.”
Meeting Hailey before the show
Sarah Jane and Hailey Bills crossed paths at the Sports Illustrated runway in May 2026 before either knew they'd be on DWTS together. Hailey was a troupe dancer in season 34 and is Jenna Johnson's niece.
“Getting to know her has honestly been one of my favorite parts of this experience.”
No regrets about the experience
Sarah Jane says there's no greater feeling than showing up fully as yourself on the dance floor, and she considers the representation alone a win despite the early elimination.
“There's no greater feeling than getting to show up fully as yourself and be proud of who you are.”
DWTS moment coming to her show
Fans will get to relive Sarah Jane's Dancing With the Stars experience on her show Love Thy Nader, which will feature an insidery look at the process.
“It will be definitely a huge part of the show.”
The main idea
Sarah Jane Nader became only the second female-female dance pairing in DWTS history, which she considers a win despite being eliminated in week one.
