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Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills are already captivating Dancing With the Stars fans before taking the live stage. The bisexual reality star and model has been sharing rehearsal moments with Bills, her first-time professional dance partner, and their playful chemistry has quickly made them one of the most anticipated pairings in season 35.
Their partnership is also significant for LGBTQ+ representation on the long-running celebrity competition series. Nader and Bills are only the third same-sex couple to appear during the show’s 35-season run and the second all-female pairing in its history.
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills Make DWTS History
The women are scheduled to make their live debut on Wednesday, September 16, when the female contestants perform during the show’s two-part season premiere. The male contestants were slated to perform one night earlier, leaving viewers to wait an extra day for the highly anticipated all-female duo.
Their appearance follows two previous same-sex partnerships. In 2021, JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson became the first same-sex duo to compete on the program. The following year, drag performer Shangela partnered with Gleb Savchenko. Nader and Bills are now bringing another queer pairing to one of television’s biggest dance floors.
A Powerful Return for Queer Representation
The gap between same-sex partnerships has made Nader and Bills’ appearance especially meaningful to fans. Four years have passed since viewers last saw a same-sex couple compete on the show, and the new pairing has already generated substantial online enthusiasm.
Their participation also broadens the visibility of bisexual and sapphic contestants in mainstream reality television. While Dancing With the Stars has featured queer performers before, an all-female partnership offers a fresh dynamic for audiences and challenges the traditionally gendered structure of competitive ballroom dancing.
Viral Rehearsal Clips Fuel Fan Excitement
Although Nader and Bills had not yet performed live together when the previews were shared, their social media posts offered plenty of clues about their onstage connection. Rehearsal videos and photographs showed the pair laughing, dancing in sync, holding hands and leaning into deliberately flirtatious choreography.
In one video shared by Bills on September 10, the dancers wore casual sweats and sneakers while playfully mouthing along to an audio clip about oversharing with someone they had only recently met. The caption joked that they had officially met two weeks earlier but already knew everything about each other.
Another clip showed the duo walking in opposite black-and-white outfits to Waka Flocka Flame’s “No Hands.” They moved together in precise formation before striking a pose on a staircase, with Nader hooking her leg over Bills’ leg. The dancers also introduced their team name: “Estrogenz,” a playful combination of “estrogen” and “Gen Z.”
Nader’s own videos added to the growing anticipation. In one rehearsal-room clip, she and Bills appeared alongside fellow queer contestant Amber Glenn, an Olympic gold medalist. The trio danced and lip-synced dramatically to “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton under purple stage lights.
A separate video showed Nader and Bills attempting “The Cup Song.” The lighthearted moment included matching black workout tops, a camera mishap and a spontaneous dance break from Bills. Their visible comfort and humor together have made the pair instant internet favorites.
Fans Are Rooting for a Historic Win
Photos from Nader’s social media accounts showed Bills placing her hand around Nader’s waist and hips, while promotional imagery featured similarly close choreography. The moments have encouraged fans to celebrate their apparent connection, while stopping short of confirming anything beyond a lively professional partnership.
The excitement is now centered on whether the “Estrogenz” can translate their online chemistry into strong scores from the judges. Some viewers are already hoping Nader and Bills could become the first same-sex couple to win the competition.
For now, their debut represents an important moment regardless of the final results. Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills are giving queer viewers a highly visible partnership to cheer for, while proving that fun, expressive and gender-expansive choreography belongs on the DWTS stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sarah Jane Nader’s Dancing With the Stars partner?
Sarah Jane Nader is partnered with Hailey Bills, a first-time professional dancer on the show.
When will Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills perform?
The pair is scheduled to perform during the female contestants’ portion of the season 35 premiere on September 16, 2026.
Are Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills dating?
Their videos and photos show playful chemistry, but the available reports describe them as professional dance partners. Neither has confirmed a romantic relationship.
How many same-sex couples have appeared on Dancing With the Stars?
Nader and Bills are the third same-sex couple to compete on the show, following JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson in 2021 and Shangela and Gleb Savchenko in 2022.
What is Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills’ team name?
The pair has introduced themselves as “Estrogenz,” combining the words estrogen and Gen Z.
