Sarah Jane Nader and professional partner Hailey Bills have been eliminated from Dancing With the Stars after the second night of the Season 35 premiere. Their exit came at the end of the women’s night, making them the second celebrity couple sent home during the two-part opening week.
Nader, known for Love Thy Nader, performed a Jive with Bills to Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.” The routine earned 14 points from the judges, and their combined score and viewer votes were not enough to keep them in the competition.
Their Final Dance on the Ballroom Floor
The performance had plenty of energy, but the pair struggled to stay completely synchronized during several sections of the routine. The judges’ score of 14 out of 30 left them vulnerable as the competition moved toward the elimination.
Nader and Bills were competing against a group that included some familiar television and entertainment names. Tatyana Ali also received a low judges’ score, but viewer support helped her remain in the competition.
For Nader and Bills, the result meant their DWTS journey lasted only one week.
A Special Partnership for Nader and Bills
Their pairing carried extra significance because Nader and Bills formed an all-female celebrity-professional partnership. Nader said before the elimination that she was grateful for the opportunity to share the ballroom with another woman.
She described the partnership as powerful and said she hoped their time on the show would remind viewers that people should be able to dance with and love whoever they choose.
Although their run was brief, that part of the experience became an important part of Nader’s DWTS story.
Maura Higgins Tops the Women’s Night
While Nader was fighting to stay in the competition, Maura Higgins delivered the highest-scoring performance of the women’s premiere. Higgins and Mark Ballas earned 21 out of 30 for their Foxtrot, putting them at the top of the leaderboard for the night.
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy followed with 19 points for their Tango. Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov each finished with 18 points.
The contrast between the top of the leaderboard and the elimination line showed just how quickly the competition can change on DWTS.
Season 35 Starts With Two Eliminations
Nader was not the only celebrity to leave the ballroom during premiere week. On the first night, Conner Leavitt and professional dancer Adele Zaikman were eliminated after their performance.
The unusual two-night premiere divided the cast between male and female celebrities, with each group performing on a separate night. That format created two immediate elimination moments before the competition settles into its regular weekly schedule.
With Nader and Leavitt gone, 14 celebrities remain in the Season 35 competition.
What Happens Next on DWTS?
The remaining contestants now have a chance to build on their opening performances and prove themselves in the weeks ahead. For the new professionals, the early eliminations also raise the pressure as they try to establish themselves with viewers.
For Nader, the result ends a short but memorable DWTS experience. Her partnership with Bills gave the season one of its more distinctive storylines, even though they did not get the chance to develop it beyond the first week.
The competition now moves forward with the remaining couples chasing the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
FAQ
Who was eliminated from Dancing With the Stars after the women’s premiere?
Sarah Jane Nader and her professional partner Hailey Bills were eliminated after the second night of the Season 35 premiere.
What score did Sarah Jane Nader receive on DWTS?
Nader and Bills received 14 out of 30 from the judges for their Jive to Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.”
Who had the highest score during the women’s premiere?
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas earned the highest score of the night, receiving 21 out of 30 for their Foxtrot.