When the Dancing With the Stars Season 34 pairings were announced on Wednesday, September 3, many fans were shocked to see Gleb Savchenko as one of the pro dancers back on the show. Although he’s a 12-season veteran who’s been on the last 11 seasons, Savchenko previously hinted that he had been fired from the dancing competition series.
However, he’s back in the ballroom with Hilaria Baldwin this year, and explained to TV Insider why he’s returning after making some shady comments about the show just a few weeks ago.
“Dancing With the Stars has been in my life for such a long time,” Savchenko explained. “It’s such a big part of my life, you know? I’ve been doing this for the last 14 years and I never actually doubt that I’m going to be back. Being back and having so much support from the Dancing With the Stars family and all my fans means so much to me.”
He also gushed over his new partner and said working with Alec Baldwin‘s wife has been “incredible,” adding, “She’s bringing so much grace and intelligence and class to the ballroom and that’s what the show is about. So I’m very happy.”
Last season, Savchenko, who has never won the show, was partnered with Brooks Nader, whom he went on to pursue a romantic relationship with after their elimination. They dated until April before a dramatic breakup, which was recently documented on her family’s reality show, Love Thy Nader. Nader accused Savchenko of cheating on her after she allegedly discovered text messages about a threesome on his phone, but he has denied all accusations of wrongdoing and has insisted that he was not unfaithful.
However, the scandal coming to light amid Love Thy Nader’s debut season seemingly led to some drama between Savchenko and DWTS. In the comments section of an August TikTok, Savchenko responded to a fan who said they couldn’t “wait” to see him back on DWTS in September. He wrote, “Afraid you won’t.” He then hinted that Nader was the reason for his exit, writing, “14 years of loyalty, erased by someone’s lie.”
In the end, though, none of this seemed to matter, as Savchenko is confirmed to be back on the show.
For more Dancing With the Stars, pick up a copy of TV Guide Magazine’s Dancing With the Stars: 20th Anniversary Special Collectors Issue, on stands now or available at DWTS.TVGM2025.com.
Dancing With the Stars, Season 34 Premiere, Tuesday, September 16, 8/7c, ABC
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