Breakups are never easy. Dancing with the Stars pro Gleb Savchenko knows this all too well after his high-profile split from ex Brooks Nader this past April. Both were dance partners on the dance competition series' thirty-third season, and now Savchenko is returning for season 34 with new partner Hilaria Baldwin.
As he gears up for the new season, Savchenko is opening up about his return to the dance floor as well as his experience so far of working with Baldwin. However, he seemed to be taking a subtle jab at his former dance partner and ex as well. In a new interview with People, Savchenko shared that he’s looking forward to truly enjoying the process this season and that he's excited to enjoy dancing and working without extra stress.
With Baldwin, Savchenko explained that he doesn’t need to fix or compensate for mistakes or weaknesses during their routines, something he seemed to hint that he had to do with a previous partner or partners. He now feels he can focus on choreography and artistry rather than managing mistakes or tension. With Baldwin, he feels aligned, and she matches his vision and energy, allowing them to collaborate smoothly.
“I’m most looking forward to just enjoying work and dance. Finally I have a partner that I can go out there and dance [with] and really enjoy and not try to figure out the routine of like, ‘Okay let me just hide all of your minuses and bring out the pluses.’ We can actually go out there and create something. I can create something that will be hopefully an incredible routine and tell the story through dance. That’s what I'm all about and that’s what Hilaria brings to the floor. We have the same goal, same vision."
Savchenko also made it clear in the interview that fans can expect “zero drama” from them. While this was all really nice to say about his new partner, it also seemed like a subtle dig at Nader. Having been on the show for many seasons and partnered with numerous celebrities, Savchenko could be referring to any of them. However, based on the timing and context, it seems like he was alluding to his experience with Nader last season. But who knows?
Savchenko and Nader began dating last year, shortly after starting rehearsals for Dancing with the Stars season 33. However, they broke up in April 2025 when Nader accused Savchenko of cheating. He denied the cheating allegations, but the situation escalated publicly from there. While we don't know the real truth, it's clear that the former couple are not on good terms. They might not ever get to the place of being friends, but hopefully, they can eventually move past the drama.
Dancing with the Stars season 34 is set to start airing on ABC on Sept. 16 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Joining Savchenko and Baldwin in the cast are Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, and so many others.