Sarah Jane Nader has been announced as a celebrity contestant on Dancing With the Stars Season 35 and will compete alongside new professional dancer Hailey Bills. Their pairing is significant because it marks the show's third same-sex partnership overall and the second all-female celebrity-professional partnership in the franchise's U.S. history, reflecting the series' continued move toward greater representation.

Introduction

Sarah Jane Nader is set to make franchise history after ABC confirmed she will compete on Dancing With the Stars Season 35 with professional dancer Hailey Bills. The announcement was made during Good Morning America on September 2, 2026, when the network unveiled the complete celebrity cast and professional pairings for the new season.

The partnership has drawn attention because it is the latest same-sex pairing in the long-running dance competition and the first all-female pairing since JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson competed together in Season 30. The new season premieres with a two-night event on September 15 and 16 on ABC and Disney+.

What Happened?

ABC officially revealed the full Season 35 cast of Dancing With the Stars, confirming that Sarah Jane Nader will dance with first-time professional Hailey Bills.

Nader is known for starring alongside her sisters in Hulu's reality series Love Thy Nader. She is also the younger sister of model Brooks Nader, who previously competed on Dancing With the Stars.

Hailey Bills joins the professional lineup after spending Season 34 as a troupe dancer. Her promotion to pro makes this season notable not only for introducing fresh talent but also for pairing her with Nader in one of the show's most talked-about partnerships.

Key Details

• Celebrity: Sarah Jane Nader
• Professional Partner: Hailey Bills
• Show: Dancing With the Stars Season 35
• Announcement: September 2, 2026, on Good Morning America
• Premiere: September 15–16, 2026
• Network: ABC and Disney+
• Streaming: Hulu (next day)
• Historic milestone: Third same-sex partnership in the U.S. version of Dancing With the Stars and the second all-female celebrity-pro pairing.

Background

Sarah Jane Nader rose to wider public attention through Love Thy Nader, which follows the lives and careers of the Nader sisters. During the series, Nader publicly discussed her bisexual identity, making her participation in this year's same-sex partnership particularly meaningful.

Dancing With the Stars first featured a same-sex pairing in Season 30, when JoJo Siwa competed with Jenna Johnson. Season 31 followed with Shangela and Gleb Savchenko. After several seasons without another same-sex partnership, Season 35 brings representation back to the ballroom through Nader and Bills.

Hailey Bills is also beginning a new chapter in her career. After appearing in Dancing With the Stars: Juniors and later joining the Season 34 troupe, she has now earned her first opportunity as a professional partner.

What Officials and Organizations Said

ABC confirmed the partnership during its official Season 35 cast announcement.

Executive producer Conrad Green told TheWrap that the pairing was based on both Nader's preference and the chemistry the production team saw between the two dancers.

Green said Sarah Jane Nader, who is bisexual, wanted a female partner, adding that the production team repeatedly felt "those two...look good" together and that Hailey Bills enthusiastically embraced the opportunity.

During the cast announcement on Good Morning America, Sarah Jane Nader also expressed excitement about competing with Bills and said they were already enjoying working together.

Why This Matters

The inclusion of Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills reflects how Dancing With the Stars continues to broaden representation while maintaining its traditional competition format.

Although same-sex partnerships are no longer unprecedented on the show, they remain relatively uncommon. This season's pairing offers viewers another example of the competition adapting to changing expectations around inclusivity while allowing contestants to perform in partnerships that feel authentic to them.

The announcement is also a milestone for Hailey Bills, whose promotion from troupe member to professional dancer represents an important career achievement.

For fans of the Nader family, the casting creates another connection to the franchise after Brooks Nader previously competed on the show.

What Happens Next?

The next confirmed step is the Season 35 premiere on September 15 and 16, 2026.

Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills will compete against 15 other celebrity-professional teams for the Mirrorball Trophy. Weekly eliminations will begin after the premiere, with performances judged by Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough.

Beyond the premiere, no competition results or future eliminations have been announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is Sarah Jane Nader?

Sarah Jane Nader is a model, content creator and reality television personality who stars in Hulu's Love Thy Nader alongside her sisters. She is also the younger sister of Brooks Nader.

2. Who is Sarah Jane Nader's partner on Dancing With the Stars?

Sarah Jane Nader is partnered with professional dancer Hailey Bills for Season 35.

3. Why is Sarah Jane Nader's DWTS partnership considered historic?

The partnership represents the third same-sex pairing in the U.S. version of Dancing With the Stars and the second all-female celebrity-professional pairing.

4. Who is Hailey Bills?

Hailey Bills is a professional ballroom dancer who previously competed on Dancing With the Stars: Juniors and served as a troupe dancer before being promoted to pro for Season 35.

5. When does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premiere?

Season 35 premieres over two nights on September 15 and 16, 2026, on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.

6. Is Sarah Jane Nader related to Brooks Nader?

Yes. Sarah Jane Nader is Brooks Nader's younger sister. Brooks previously competed on Dancing With the Stars Season 33.

7. Has Dancing With the Stars featured same-sex couples before?

Yes. Earlier same-sex partnerships included JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson in Season 30, followed by Shangela and Gleb Savchenko in Season 31. Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills continue that history in Season 35.

Sources

This article is based on verified information from:

• ABC/Good Morning America Season 35 cast announcement.
• Associated Press coverage of the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 cast announcement.
• TheWrap interview with executive producer Conrad Green discussing the Sarah Jane Nader–Hailey Bills partnership.
• Official and entertainment reporting from Entertainment Weekly and E! News regarding the Season 35 cast and professional dancer lineup.