Professional dancer Gleb Savchenko has publicly criticized reality television personality Maura Higgins, labeling her recent remarks regarding potential Dancing with the Stars partnerships as "unnecessary drama." Savchenko’s comments, made in early August 2026, directly respond to Higgins’ statement that she would accept "anyone except Gleb" as her partner for the upcoming season of the popular ABC dance competition. The veteran professional dancer dismissed Higgins’ remarks, asserting he had "never heard of" her before the controversy, suggesting her comments were a calculated move for pre-show publicity.
Background on the "Dancing with the Stars" Phenomenon
Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) is a highly successful reality competition that pairs celebrities with professional ballroom and Latin dancers. Since its debut, the show has consistently generated significant public interest, not only through its dazzling performances but also through the intricate personal dynamics that often develop between the celebrity contestants and their professional partners. The program has a long-standing reputation for sparking "showmances" or even real-life romantic relationships, a phenomenon colloquially known as the "DWTS curse" or "DWTS effect." These personal narratives frequently become central to the show’s appeal and media coverage.
Gleb Savchenko has been a prominent and often polarizing figure on DWTS for many seasons. Known for his charismatic stage presence and impressive dance skills, Savchenko has also garnered considerable media attention for his high-profile partnerships and personal relationships, which have sometimes spilled into the public eye. His tenure on the show has seen him paired with a diverse range of celebrities, often leading to speculation about his romantic life, a factor that contributes to his established public persona as a professional dancer with a flair for drama.
Maura Higgins, an Irish model and television personality, rose to prominence on the fifth season of the British reality dating show Love Island in 2019. Her outspoken nature, quick wit, and fierce loyalty quickly endeared her to a massive fanbase, establishing her as a formidable presence in the reality TV landscape. Following her success on Love Island, Higgins expanded her career into various media ventures, including fashion collaborations and other reality television appearances, most notably on The Traitors Season 4. Her casting on Dancing with the Stars marked a significant step into the American reality television scene, bringing her distinct personality to a new audience.
A Timeline of Rising Tensions
The public spat between Higgins and Savchenko began in May 2026 when Higgins was officially announced as a contestant for an upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. During an interview with E! News, Higgins was asked about her preferred professional partner for the competition. Her response was notably direct and unexpected for a pre-show interview.
"I’d be happy with anyone except Gleb," Higgins stated emphatically. She immediately followed this with an explanation rooted in a perceived sense of "loyalty" to Brooks Nader, a fellow model who was Savchenko’s partner during Dancing with the Stars Season 33 in 2024. The professional partnership between Savchenko and Nader had famously evolved into a romantic relationship during their season, a storyline that captivated viewers and media outlets alike.
Higgins did not mince words, further elaborating on her reluctance to be paired with Savchenko. She openly criticized his past conduct, stating, "I don’t really like the way he speaks about women. I don’t really want to spend all my time with someone like that. I’m like, no thank you." This comment elevated her preference from a simple personal choice to a public critique of Savchenko’s character and professional demeanor. She also expressed a strong desire to be paired with three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas, with whom she had previously shared a screen on The Traitors Season 4, highlighting an existing professional rapport.
Savchenko’s response came months later, in early August 2026. Appearing largely unbothered by Higgins’ statements, he adopted a dismissive tone. "Until I was asked to comment on this story, I’d genuinely never heard of this girl, Maura," Savchenko revealed, implying Higgins lacked the prominence to warrant his attention. He continued, "So I’m certainly not going to lose any sleep over the opinions of someone I’ve never met."
The professional dancer went on to publicly accuse Higgins of leveraging the controversy for self-promotion ahead of the DWTS season premiere. "It’s odd to publicly attack someone you’ve never even met," Savchenko remarked. "But if that’s how she wants to make headlines before the show starts, that’s her choice." His comments framed the interaction as a calculated publicity stunt orchestrated by Higgins, adding another layer to the developing "Gleb Savchenko calls out Maura Higgins" narrative.
The Complicated History with Brooks Nader
The crux of Maura Higgins’ strong objection to Gleb Savchenko lies in his past relationship with model Brooks Nader. Savchenko and Nader were paired together during Dancing with the Stars Season 33 in 2024. Their professional collaboration quickly transitioned into a romantic entanglement, exemplifying the "DWTS effect" where the intense, close-contact nature of the competition can often foster deep personal connections. Nader herself had publicly stated that their intimacy began almost immediately, reportedly on their very first day of meeting, suggesting an instant and undeniable chemistry.
The relationship between Savchenko and Nader was an "on-again, off-again" affair that lasted approximately eight months, eventually concluding in April 2025. Following their breakup, both parties were notably candid, and at times acrimonious, in their public discussions about the relationship and its messy dissolution. Their post-split remarks contributed significantly to the existing media narrative surrounding Savchenko’s personal life.
In an episode of the YouTube competition show Unwell Winter Games, Savchenko offered a harsh assessment of his time with Nader, describing the relationship as "pretty bad" and "probably the worst s— of my life." He added, "She was so f—ed up," painting a picture of a tumultuous and damaging experience. Nader, in turn, offered her perspective during an appearance on Olivia Attwood’s podcast "Olivia’s House with Olivia Attwood." She branded Savchenko as "bitter" and characterized their dynamic as mutually "f—ing petty" and "toxic," suggesting a volatile relationship filled with emotional gamesmanship.
Higgins’ public declaration of "loyalty" to Nader, her friend and fellow public figure, positions her firmly as an ally in this post-breakup narrative. By citing Nader as the reason for her aversion to Savchenko, Higgins effectively injected a layer of personal history and inter-celebrity solidarity into the pre-season Dancing with the Stars buzz. This move resonated with fans who appreciate strong female friendships and public displays of support within the often-competitive reality television sphere.
Analysis and Broader Implications of the "Unnecessary Drama"
The public exchange between Gleb Savchenko and Maura Higgins underscores the complex interplay of personal branding, strategic publicity, and genuine interpersonal dynamics that define modern reality television. For many participants, leveraging personal narratives and even manufactured conflicts is a well-worn path to maintaining relevance and generating interest in their projects.
Savchenko’s dismissive claim of having "never heard of" Higgins, while intended to minimize her impact, paradoxically served to amplify her name within entertainment news cycles. This tit-for-tat dynamic is a classic public relations maneuver in the celebrity world, where even negative attention can be spun into valuable visibility. The incident effectively created a ready-made storyline for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars season, whether producers choose to lean into it or attempt to mitigate it.
Higgins’ bold decision to publicly articulate her discomfort with a potential partner, specifically referencing his character and her loyalty to a friend, represents a departure from the typical pre-show politeness. Her comments portray her as a personality unafraid to voice strong opinions and establish clear alliances, characteristics that have historically appealed to her fanbase. This move also highlights the increasing trend of reality stars using their platforms to address personal grievances or take sides in public disputes.
The incident further emphasizes the inherent challenges faced by professional dancers in managing their public image and personal lives, particularly when those lives become entwined with the high-stakes, high-visibility environment of Dancing with the Stars. The show’s propensity for fostering romantic relationships, coupled with the intense media scrutiny, ensures that personal histories are often brought into the professional arena, sometimes with dramatic consequences.
Impact on the Public and Entertainment Industry
For Dancing with the Stars, this public spat between a new contestant and a veteran professional dancer is an undeniable generator of early buzz for the upcoming season. Such controversies frequently captivate audiences, sparking extensive discussions across social media platforms, entertainment news outlets, and fan forums. This heightened engagement can translate into increased viewership and renewed interest in the show’s celebrity pairings.
The entertainment industry often views these types of celebrity disputes as a form of organic, albeit sometimes controversial, promotion. The "Gleb Savchenko calls out Maura Higgins" narrative fuels tabloid headlines, becomes a topic for entertainment news segments, and drives online discourse, all contributing to the show’s overall cultural footprint and marketability.
Fans of Dancing with the Stars and reality television are frequently drawn to the behind-the-scenes drama as much as, if not more than, the on-screen performances. This incident provides a tantalizing glimpse into the personal dynamics that may influence the competition, raising questions about potential awkwardness, friction, or even strategic advantage if Higgins were indeed paired with Savchenko. Furthermore, Higgins’ specific mention of Savchenko’s past comments about women could ignite broader conversations about accountability and public perception for figures within the entertainment industry.
Reactions, Consequences, and Next Steps
As of early August 2026, the official celebrity-professional pairings for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars season have yet to be formally announced. The public exchange between Savchenko and Higgins has undoubtedly amplified anticipation surrounding this crucial reveal, with many viewers and media outlets wondering how the show’s producers will navigate the expressed preferences and animosities.
It remains to be seen whether Higgins’ candid comments will directly influence the professional pairings, or if the show’s production team will strategically capitalize on the drama by intentionally pairing them, or conversely, opt to avoid potential conflict by keeping them apart. Dancing with the Stars has a well-documented history of crafting pairings to maximize narrative potential and viewer engagement.
Public reaction to the feud has been varied. Some fans have lauded Higgins for her honesty and her loyalty to Brooks Nader, viewing her as a principled voice in a cutthroat industry. Others have criticized her statements as preemptive, attention-seeking, or unprofessional, especially given her status as a new contestant. Savchenko’s response has also drawn mixed opinions, with some agreeing with his dismissive stance and others perceiving it as arrogant or insensitive.
The ongoing narrative surrounding Gleb Savchenko’s relationships and Maura Higgins’ outspoken personality is poised to remain a significant talking point as the Dancing with the Stars season draws closer. This pre-broadcast publicity cycle, fueled by "unnecessary drama," will undoubtedly contribute to the show’s overall visibility and intrigue.
The unfolding public exchange between Gleb Savchenko and Maura Higgins serves as a potent reminder of the calculated drama inherent in reality television. While Savchenko attempts to brush off Higgins’ remarks as a mere publicity grab, her candidness about his past and her loyalty to Brooks Nader have successfully ignited a pre-season debate. This dynamic not only sets a dramatic stage for the upcoming Dancing with the Stars season but also exemplifies how personal histories and public perceptions become integral components of the entertainment spectacle, shaping narratives long before the first dance step is taken. The entertainment world now awaits the official DWTS pairings, poised to see if this "unnecessary drama" will translate into an even more captivating season.
