"Dancing With the Stars" is about to enter its 34th season, but not without some serious drama and fresh faces that have fans buzzing. The ABC ballroom competition, famous for its glitzy routines and celebrity pairings, is at the center of a shake-up following the reported firing of longtime pro Gleb Savchenko and the arrival of a new star dancer with serious pop culture credentials.
According to The Sun and Daily Mail, Gleb Savchenko, who first joined the show in 2013 and became one of its most recognizable pros, has allegedly been dismissed from "Dancing With the Stars" after more than a decade. The departure comes in the wake of mounting drama involving his former celebrity partner, model Brooks Nader. Their chemistry both on and off the dance floor sparked plenty of headlines last season, but things took a turn when Nader accused Savchenko of cheating—a claim that insiders say was the "final straw" for the network.
One source told The Sun, "Gleb was fired from 'Dancing With the Stars' for a number of reasons, but Brooks accusing him of cheating was the final straw." Despite Savchenko’s denial—he posted a cryptic TikTok stating, "14 years of loyalty, erased by someone's lie"—the rumors of his exit intensified after he was seen heading to rehearsals with his face hidden under a visor, leaving fans puzzled about his true status.
With Savchenko reportedly out, producers wasted no time finding a replacement. Enter Jan Ravnik, a Slovenian-born dancer best known as one of Taylor Swift’s backup dancers on her record-breaking "Eras Tour." Ravnik’s résumé is nothing short of impressive. He’s performed with music titans like Mariah Carey, Bruno Mars, Khalid, Luis Fonsi, and Paula Abdul, and has twice been named "Best Dancer of Slovenia" before moving to Los Angeles in 2018 to further his career. Fans of the show may have spotted him earlier this year dancing alongside Jenna Johnson, one of the main "DWTS" pros, in a viral online video.
Ravnik’s hiring was reportedly facilitated by his connection to Mandy Moore, the longtime "DWTS" choreographer and mastermind behind the "Eras Tour" routines. "Jan knows Mandy Moore well. Mandy choreographed the 'Eras' tour and has been choreographing 'DWTS' for years and years," a source explained to The Sun. "So that's basically how that happened. It's such a family at this point, and Mandy was thrilled to welcome Jan into the 'DWTS' family." Another insider gushed about Ravnik’s arrival, describing him as "devilishly handsome" with "incredible choreography" and calling him "probably the most talented new addition they've hired in years."
As for Savchenko, his journey on "Dancing With the Stars" has been marked by memorable partnerships with celebrities including Lisa Vanderpump, Jana Kramer, and, most recently, Brooks Nader. His on-screen romance with Nader, which reportedly fizzled after their elimination in October, was a hot topic among fans and tabloids alike. The pair’s relationship was described as a whirlwind, with backstage PDA and a brief reconciliation before a final split in April. Savchenko’s cryptic social media posts and his recent attempts to avoid the cameras have only fueled speculation about his next move.
The drama surrounding Savchenko isn’t the only storyline heating up ahead of season 34. Speculation is swirling around other cast members as well. Britt Stewart, a fan-favorite pro, has sparked wedding rumors after photos surfaced of her in a wedding gown with her mother, prompting fans to wonder if she secretly married her former dance partner, actor Daniel Durant. The couple’s relationship has been in the spotlight since their time together on the show, and while no official confirmation has been made, the possibility of a surprise marriage announcement has become one of the most talked-about pre-season stories. Stewart is expected to return for the new season, but whether Durant will join her remains to be seen.
The upcoming season’s celebrity lineup is already generating excitement. Confirmed contestants include wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, social media star Alix Earle, and "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" stars Whitney Leavitt and Jennifer Affleck, as revealed on July 1. With such a diverse cast and the addition of a high-profile dancer like Ravnik, producers are clearly aiming to make this season a major event.
Adding another layer to the conversation about inclusivity and representation, former "Bachelor" star Colton Underwood recently revealed to Us Weekly that he’s interested in joining "Dancing With the Stars" as part of a same-sex pairing. Underwood, who became friends with "DWTS" pro Mark Ballas while filming "The Traitors" season 4, said, "I would be so terrified. I would want to do it, because I love pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. But I have tight hips. My mobility is not the best, but what I lack in my flexibility, I make up for in strength." He added, "I want to dance with Mark, because I know him from Traitors." The show has previously featured same-sex couples, including JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson, Shangela and Gleb Savchenko, and Nyle DiMarco and Keo Motsepe, with the first same-sex dance performed in 2016. Underwood’s openness about his hopes for a future appearance signals a continued evolution for the show, which has increasingly embraced diverse partnerships on the dance floor.
Meanwhile, Underwood is keeping busy with his own reality show, "Are You My First?," currently streaming on Hulu. He described his recent stint on "The Traitors" as "by far, one of the most exciting shows" he’s ever been part of, highlighting the cross-pollination of reality TV stars that often feeds into the "DWTS" casting pool.
As the new season approaches, fans are left with plenty to anticipate: Will Jan Ravnik live up to the hype as the newest pro? Will Gleb Savchenko address the rumors and make a public statement about his future? And will Britt Stewart and Daniel Durant confirm their rumored nuptials? ABC has yet to release the full cast list, but the intrigue surrounding these storylines is already setting the stage for one of the most buzzworthy seasons yet.
With new talent, evolving partnerships, and personal stories unfolding off the dance floor, "Dancing With the Stars" season 34 promises a blend of spectacle, suspense, and heartfelt moments that keep viewers coming back year after year.
