Gleb Savchenko Finally Addresses DWTS Season 35 Exit As Fans Fume Over His And Sasha Farber’s Absence
Gleb Savchenko is addressing fans who were left fuming when the cast of Dancing With the Stars Season 35 was announced–and he and Sasha Farber weren’t part of the pro lineup.
The ABC show confirmed its cast of pros and celebrities who were signed on to the dance competition series for the upcoming season on Good Morning America on September 2, and Savchenko, who competed on Season 34, and Farber, who last appeared on Season 33, were both left off the lineup.
While Savchenko had previously said he would not be back, fans were angry about his being cut from the lineup, especially after his ex-girlfriend’s sister, Sarah Jane Nader, was cast.
After seeing the uproar, Savchenko quickly took to social media to share support for his fellow dancers who had made the cut–and assure his fans he was okay with not being on the show.
He shared his message on Instagram, posting a video of himself shirtless in his backyard, where he swore he was fine with the outcome.
Gleb Savchenko has addressed his DWTS exit (Image: Getty)
“Guys, I promise…I’m good,” he wrote. “Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter–and wishing everyone an amazing season.”
“No sad messages. We’re moving forward.”
His post came after he had previously said he wouldn’t be back in July, commenting on a social media post that he wasn’t returning.
It’s unclear if he parted ways with the show due to ongoing turmoil with his ex-wife, Elena Samadanova, and their custody battle, or if he was simply not asked back.
Fans fumed that Savchenko and Sasha Farber were both not asked back (Image: Getty)
If he doesn’t return for a future season, he would be the second fan-favorite pro ousted from the show in recent seasons who was unable to win a Mirrorball before his departure, with Farber being another pro fans have felt was robbed over the years.
Farber was nearly cut from Season 33 before being added in the last minute to dance with Bachelorette Jenn Tran. He was not asked back for Season 34 or Season 35.
Farber has not addressed his absence for the second year in a row, but fans still took to his social media as well to share their frustrations.
Commenting on a post where he showed off some of his moves in a pair of pants, some lamented his absence yet again–and pointed out that he had been cut in the same seasons Mark Ballas had returned, implying that Farber was cut for him.
Sasha Farber has also not ben asked back to the show for the second season in a row (Image: Getty)
Others pointed out that his departure coincided with Jan Ravnik’s addition to the lineup, suggesting he was to blame.
“I don’t know why they brought Mark Ballas back…you should be there instead of him…But I think Derek had a lot to do with it. That’s not right,” one person wrote.
“They kept Jan and not Sasha…I don’t get it,” another said.
Another shared a theory that Nader’s casting not only affected Savchenko’s role on the show but also Farber’s, as she was cast in a same-sex partnership with newly promoted pro Hailey Bills.
Farber has been on the cusp of being cut since Season 32, where he made the finals (Image: Getty)
“I have a feeling they were gonna bring Sasha back, but Sara Nadar said the only way she’d do the show is if she can dance with a female…So they added Hailey and dropped Sasha,” one person shared.
