The ballroom of Dancing with the Stars is no stranger to high-stakes drama, unexpected departures, and cultural milestones. However, the seismic events of Season 35’s two-night premiere week delivered a combination of historic representation and ruthless competition that left fans and families reeling. On September 16, 2025, the reality television landscape shifted when 24-year-old reality star and digital creator Sarah Jane Nader—paired with professional partner Hailey Bills—became the victims of a shocking early elimination twist. As the second-ever all-female partnership in the long-running franchise’s history, their abrupt exit sent immediate shockwaves through the fandom.
Yet, while the ballroom world processed the sudden loss of a groundbreaking duo, the Nader family turned an emotional setback into a masterclass in sibling trolling. Brooks Nader, model and veteran of Season 33, publicly blasted the decision as "Robbed." Simultaneously, her sisters Mary Holland and Grace Ann orchestrated a hilariously savage campaign of playful mockery. From weaponizing Sharpies on custom T-shirts to editing high-end restaurant menus at Craig’s in Los Angeles, the Nader household proved that while Sarah Jane’s time in the ballroom was cut devastatingly short, her brief stint would not soon be forgotten.
This comprehensive report explores the chronology of the Season 35 premiere shocker, the historic significance of Sarah Jane and Hailey Bills’ partnership, the viral sibling retaliation that captivated social media, and a complete breakdown of the star-studded lineup vying for the Mirrorball Trophy this season.
Detailed Chronology: From Historic Debut to Shocking Exit
The path to Season 35 was paved with immense anticipation, particularly regarding casting diversity and groundbreaking partnerships. When the official roster for the landmark season was announced, attention immediately gravitated toward Sarah Jane Nader, fresh off her appearances in the family reality landscape (Love Thy Nader), and professional dancer Hailey Bills. Their pairing marked a monumental step forward for ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, establishing them as the second-ever all-female couple in the show’s history—following in the footsteps of past trailblazers who pushed the boundaries of traditional ballroom choreography.
Night One: The Promise of Representation
During the season premiere, Sarah Jane and Hailey took to the dance floor with palpable energy and determination. Their routine was met with warm applause from the live studio audience and favorable commentary from the judges, who praised the fresh dynamic of two women sharing the ballroom floor on equal footing.
In post-performance interviews, Sarah Jane expressed deep emotional resonance regarding her role in the historic pairing. Speaking with Good Morning America, she articulated the gravity of the moment:
"As sad as we are to not dance next week—we were so excited—we’re just grateful we had this opportunity. Our partnership was so special. Not only because we became best friends, but because we represent a whole community."
She added, "Being the second ever all-female pairing on the dance floor is such an honor. I hope somebody watching at home felt touched or seen or represented tonight, and so I hope we’ve [done] something impactful."
Night Two: The Sudden Elimination Twist
Despite the positive momentum, reality television rarely offers guarantees. On night two of the premiere event (September 16), host Alfonso Ribeiro and co-host Julianne Hough dropped a surprise elimination twist that caught both the contestants and viewers completely off guard.
Due to a combination of judges’ scores and live viewer voting tallies from the compressed premiere window, Sarah Jane and Hailey found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard safety threshold. When the final results were tallied, the historic all-female partnership was officially sent home, making them the first casualties of Season 35. The abrupt departure triggered an immediate online outcry, setting the stage for one of the most uniquely humorous family responses in reality TV history.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Nader Family’s Viral Backlash
While public sentiment online leaned toward outrage—with fans utilizing hashtags like #JusticeForSarahJane—the Nader family adopted a strategy rooted in unyielding, highly public sibling banter. Rather than dwelling on the disappointment of an early exit, Brooks, Mary Holland, and Grace Ann transformed Sarah Jane’s elimination into a viral comedy tour across Instagram and TikTok.
The "Robbed" Declaration
Brooks Nader, who famously competed on Season 33 alongside professional partner-turned-ex Gleb Savchenko, did not mince words. Responding directly to an E! News Instagram post detailing her younger sister’s ouster, Brooks commented with a singular, definitive word: "Robbed."
Having experienced the intense physical and mental toll of the DWTS schedule firsthand, Brooks’ protective instincts were on full display. However, that protectiveness quickly pivoted into relentless teasing.
Sharpies, T-Shirts, and Los Angeles Hotspots
The Nader sisters are no strangers to content creation, and they capitalized on Sarah Jane’s misfortune with surgical comedic precision:
- The Trailer Chronicles: Brooks took to her Instagram Stories to share a behind-the-scenes photograph of Mary Holland and Grace Ann relaxing in a holding trailer. Over the image, Brooks wrote: "We will never let her forget this s–t, it’s sooo funny."
- The Custom T-Shirt Pivot: The family had originally commissioned custom merchandise for the premiere week featuring the slogan: "Vote For Sarah Jane." In the wake of the elimination, the trio utilized markers to violently cross out the first two words. In a TikTok video shared to Mary Holland’s profile, Brooks deadpanned, "In times of need, we pivot!"
- The Craig’s Restaurant Menu Edit: The celebration dinner at the high-profile celebrity hotspot Craig’s in Los Angeles featured custom-printed menus bearing the "Sarah Jane and Hailey’s First Dance." Not letting a golden opportunity slip away, one of the sisters whipped out a lip-liner pencil, crossed out the word "first," and scribbled in "last." Mary Holland captioned the accompanying TikTok footage with the dryly sarcastic remark: "Celebratory dinner after a long hard season."
This multi-platform roasting instantly went viral, garnering millions of views and cementing the Nader sisters as reality television royalty who refuse to take themselves too seriously.
Official Statements & Industry Impact
The inclusion of an all-female partnership in Season 35 continues a vital cultural evolution for Dancing with the Stars. Following Jojo Siwa and Jenna Johnson’s historic run as the show’s first same-sex couple in Season 30, the inclusion of Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills signaled to LGBTQ+ audiences and allies that inclusive representation is a permanent fixture of the franchise rather than a one-off gimmick.
Television critics and cultural analysts have noted that early eliminations in reality competitions often spark intense debates regarding the efficacy of live-voting systems versus cumulative judges’ scoring. While Sarah Jane and Hailey’s technical scores on night two may not have cleared the high threshold of an increasingly competitive roster, their cultural impact was immediate.
Reflecting on the experience, Sarah Jane maintained an inspiring perspective despite the brevity of her journey:
"Even though we don’t get to do it more, it felt really good and it was a really fun experience. I hope we’ve done something impactful."
Pro dancer Hailey Bills echoed these sentiments, expressing immense pride in their rehearsal hall dedication and the rapid bond they formed during the intensive pre-premiere boot camp.
Future Outlook: Season 35 Star-Studded Lineup
With Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills exiting the competition during premiere week, the race for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy narrows down to a fiercely competitive slate of celebrities, athletes, and internet personalities. Season 35 boasts one of the most eclectic casts in the history of the franchise.
Here is a comprehensive look at the remaining couples battling it out on the ballroom floor:
1. Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
- Background: The iconic 10 Things I Hate About You star is trading cinematic monologues for ballroom choreography.
- Outlook: Backed by fan nostalgia and a seasoned pro in Ezra Sosa, Stiles is expected to be a major technical contender.
2. Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
- Background: The world-renowned celebrity chef is stepping out of the culinary kitchen and into the heat of ballroom competition.
- Outlook: Known for her perfectionism and charismatic screen presence, De Laurentiis brings high energy to partner Alan Bersten.
3. Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
- Background: Famed for his phenomenal musical talent and dance pedigree in Glee and Crazy Rich Asians, Shum Jr. enters the ballroom with high expectations.
- Outlook: Given his extensive professional dance background, judges will likely hold him to an exceptionally strict standard.
4. Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
- Background: The former ’90s teen heartthrob and Hanson band member hopes to channel his musical rhythm into high-scoring routines.
- Outlook: Partnered with fan-favorite Britt Stewart, Hanson aims to capture the vital demographic voting block.
5. Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
- Background: The beloved Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress brings classic television royalty and innate performance skills to the floor.
- Outlook: Paired with newcomer Jan Ravnik, Ali represents smooth delivery and graceful stage presence.
6. Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
- Background: Twenty years after capturing global attention in the dance film Step Up, professional dancer Dewan is stepping up to the ultimate ballroom challenge.
- Outlook: As a trained dancer paired with powerhouse pro Val Chmerkovskiy, this duo is widely considered an early favorite for the finals.
7. Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
- Background: The 2026 Olympic figure skater is transitioning her elite-tier ice athleticism to hardwood flooring.
- Outlook: Figure skaters historically excel on DWTS due to core strength, balance, and performance execution under pressure.
8. Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
- Background: Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech brings inspirational athleticism and fierce determination.
- Outlook: Paired with tactical mastermind Daniella Karagach, Frech is poised to shatter boundaries and push creative choreography limits.
9. Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
- Background: Comedian and digital creator (widely known as "Fibula" online) looks to parlay his massive social media following into ballroom applause.
- Outlook: Teamed with viral sensation Rylee Arnold, they command a massive Gen Z and millennial voting bloc.
10. Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
- Background: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following directly in the footsteps of his wife, Whitney Leavitt, who competed in Season 34.
- Outlook: Leavitt carries the mantle of reality-tv streaming synergy into the ABC flagship franchise.
11. Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
- Background: Bachelor Nation favorite Tyler Cameron is trading in roses and cocktail parties for rumbas and tangos.
- Outlook: With towering height and massive franchise backing, Cameron has all the physical tools necessary for a deep run.
12. Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
- Background: The Savannah Bananas baseball sensation is stepping up to a very different kind of plate, bringing his exuberant diamond energy to the ballroom.
- Outlook: Olson’s natural showmanship could make him a breakout fan favorite as the weeks progress.
13. Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
- Background: The endearing Jimmy Kimmel Live! comedic fixture is ready to learn advanced choreography under the guidance of champion pro Witney Carson.
- Outlook: Rodriguez will rely heavily on viewer affection, comedic timing, and entertainment value.
14. Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
- Background: The Summer House star has been prepping rigorously for her ballroom debut. Ahead of the season, Miller candidly told E! News in June: "Looks are not indicative of being in shape. I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
- Outlook: With Brandon Armstrong guiding her training, Miller’s endurance will be tested early.
15. Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
- Background: The Love Island UK alum manifested her spot on the show in meticulous fashion. She revealed to E! News in May that she meticulously crafts an annual vision board: "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year’s Eve… I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
- Outlook: Partnered with visionary choreographer Mark Ballas, Higgins enters the competition with unmatched manifested determination.
Conclusion
As Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars marches forward, the departure of Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills serves as a stark reminder that no contestant—regardless of historical significance or family fame—is immune to the whims of premiere-week volatility. Yet, through Brooks, Mary Holland, and Grace Ann Nader’s viral humor, the narrative quickly shifted from heartbreak to hilarity. With an extraordinary cast still standing, the ballroom remains unpredictable, leaving audiences eager to see who will ultimately survive the dance floor and claim the Season 35 Mirrorball Trophy.
