Maura Higgins has refused to dance with Gleb Savchenko during her forthcoming stint on Dancing with the Stars.
While conversing with E! News about her upcoming gig on Dancing with the Stars in September 2026, the 35-year-old Irish TV personality, model, and presenter clearly stated that she does not want to partner with Savchenko because of the way “he talks about women.”
Higgins told the outlet that she will choose her former Dancing with the Stars partner Brooks Nader, who is also her best friend.
She said, “I’d be happy with anyone but Gleb. That’s only because I’m loyal and I’m friends with Brooks [Nader].”
“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,” the Glow Up Ireland star quipped, referring to the Russian dancer and choreographer.
It is pertinent to mention that Savchenko is reportedly seething with rage over Higgins’ remarks about him.
An insider told The Sun, “Gleb thought Maura was out of line coming for him like that. 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.”
“It’s going to be really awkward backstage now. They’ll basically have to avoid each other as Gleb won’t be making small talk, and Maura’s not the type to back down either,” the source claimed.
Dancing with the Stars season 35 will start airing with a special two-night event on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, and Wednesday, September 16, 2026, on ABC and Disney+.
