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DWTS Makes History with Third Same-Sex Pair
2 Sep
Summary
- Sarah Jane Nader competes in the show's third same-sex partnership.
- Nader aims to normalize same-sex partnerships on DWTS.
- Her aunt also competed in the first same-sex DWTS pairing.
Sarah Jane Nader is making waves on Dancing With the Stars as one of the show's few same-sex pairings. As the third same-sex duo on the U.S. edition, Nader, aged 23, expressed that the experience "has meant everything" to her. She shared, "I think it's so cool to be the representation that I didn't have growing up." Nader hopes that same-sex partnerships will become commonplace on the show in the future.
Nader is partnered with professional dancer Hailey Bills, 20, who is making her debut as a full-time pro after being part of the season 34 dance troupe. Bills has a familial connection to the show's history of same-sex pairings, as her aunt, Jenna Johnson, danced with JoJo Siwa in the first such partnership on DWTS. Johnson, a seasoned competitor and two-time winner, is also returning for season 35.
Nader is also drawing on her sister Brooks's experience, who competed in season 33. Her sister advised her to "make it my own and be myself and enjoy every moment." Nader admitted to being nervous about all the judges, particularly Derek Hough, whom she feels she knows well and wants to impress. The show's first same-sex pair was JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson in season 30, followed by Shangela and Gleb Savchenko in season 31.
