Sasha Farber Breaks Silence on DWTS Season 35 Absence

Sharna Burgess Reveals She and Sasha Farber Dated Before ‘Dancing With the Stars’Sasha Farber revealed he did not salsa away from Dancing With the Stars. After the season 35 cast was unveiled Sept. 2, the 12-time pro was not among the experts paired to dance alongside celebrity competitors like Julia Stiles, Ciara Miller and Taylor Hanson. And while addressing fans' disappointment by his absence, he clarified that the decision was out of his hands. When the 42-year-old posted a TikTok quickstepping to "Land of 1000 Dances," his fanbase waltzed into the comment section to express how much they had hoped to see Farber return as a pro after participating in season 34 as a social media correspondent. In a since-deleted comment with a red heart emoji, Farber replied, according to Us Weekly, "Not my choice." And the Russia native—who has tangoed alongside Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Simone Biles and Selma Blair over 12 seasons—received an outpouring of love from viewers amid the revelation. Farber showed his appreciation through a string of heart-faced emojis in response to a fan who wrote, "Idk I feel like Sasha is one of the best male pros and I don’t get why he’s not on this season again."Still, Farber, who last appeared alongside now ex Emma Slater during season 33, showed signs of hope for being involved with DWTS in the future, despite not being a pro during season 35. "You were on my prediction list Sasha," a comment liked by the Latin Dance Champion read. "Hope to at least see some cameos from you this year!!" He also double-tapped encouragement from a fan who told him to, "GET YOUR A** BACK IN THE BALLROOM AND ON STAGE!!" Of course, he isn’t the only longtime pro to be sitting out this season. Gleb Savchenko also reacted to not taking part in the 2026 season after joining the show in 2016. Disney/Christopher Willard"Guys, you can stop telling me you’re sorry," Savchenko shared on Instagram Sept. 2. "I’m good." And there's no hard feelings from the 42-year-old following the update. "Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom," he captioned the video. "Excited for this next chapter—and wishing everyone an amazing season." Keep reading for the full look at the upcoming star-dancer duos.Disney/Andrew EcclesJulia Stiles & Ezra SosaYou won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.Disney/Andrew EcclesGiada De Laurentiis & Alan BerstenCha-cha-chopping away... The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.Disney/Andrew EcclesHarry Shum Jr. & Jenna JohnsonWhat did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesTaylor Hanson & Britt StewartThe former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.Disney/Andrew EcclesTatyana Ali & Jan RavnikThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesJenna Dewan & Val ChmerkovskiyTwenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.Disney/Andrew EcclesAmber Glenn & Pasha PashkovThe 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesEzra Frech & Daniella KaragachThe Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesSarah Jane Nader & Hailey BillsAfter sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand. Disney/Andrew EcclesConnor Wood & Rylee ArnoldThe comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesConner Leavitt & Adele ZaikmanThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.Disney/Andrew EcclesTyler Cameron & Sharna BurgessThe Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.Disney/Andrew EcclesJackson Olson & Emma SlaterThe Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesGuillermo Rodriguez & Witney CarsonThe Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.Disney/Andrew EcclesCiara Miller & Brandon ArmstrongThe Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom. "Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."Disney/Andrew EcclesMaura Higgins & Mark BallasThe Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience. "I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App