Maura Higgins has stated she will not partner with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko on the upcoming season of "Dancing With The Stars." Higgins, a "Love Island UK" alum, expressed her decision based on Savchenko's alleged treatment of women and a desire to remain loyal to her friend, former "DWTS" contestant Brooks Nader.
Higgins, 35, told E! News that while she would be happy with any partner, she wishes to avoid Savchenko, 42. "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," she stated.
Higgins' decision stems from her close friendship with Nader, 29, who previously dated Savchenko. Their relationship, which began when they were partnered on "DWTS" in 2024, reportedly ended in a "messy" split. An insider told US Weekly in the fall of 2024 that Nader's close circle became concerned about the amount of time Savchenko was spending at her home. The couple appeared to reconcile later that year, but parted ways again in April, with Savchenko telling Page Six he was surprised by the breakup.
Following their split, Savchenko made controversial remarks about Nader in comments to Dakota Mortensen, an ex-partner of reality TV personality Taylor Frankie Paul. Savchenko described their intimate life as "pretty bad" and "probably the worst sex of my life." He also alleged that Nader engaged in rough behavior, stating she "wanted to make out with me, and I was like, 'That's not my vibe.'" Savchenko also claimed Nader "choked me, pushed me against the wall, chipped my tooth."
Sources suggest Savchenko was displeased with Higgins' public stance. "Gleb thought Maura was out of line coming for him like that," a source told The Sun. "He gets that she is being a good mate and sticking up for her friend, but she wasn’t in the relationship and doesn’t know all sides of it." The source added that the situation is expected to be awkward backstage, with Savchenko reportedly unwilling to engage in small talk and Higgins unlikely to back down.
Higgins has indicated a preference for partnering with Valentin Chmerkovskiy, sharing a video of them dancing together.
Representatives for Savchenko and Nader did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Maurahigginshttps://i.dailymail.com/1s/2026/08/03/18/110415323-16025515-image-m-2_1785778648487.jpg "Maura Higgins has insisted she is refusing to partner with Gleb Savchenko on her upcoming Dancing With The Stars stint next month"
Valentin Chmerkovskiyhttps://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2026/08/03/18/110415509-16025515-Maura_is_hoping_she_will_instead_by_paired_with_Valentin_Chmerko-a-17_1785779181488.jpg "Maura is hoping she will instead by paired with Valentin Chmerkovskiy as she teased in a video of them dancing together"