Maura Higgins is already bringing plenty of headline-making energy to the ballroom, weeks before Dancing With The Stars USA even reveals its season 35 pairings. In a fresh moment for entertainment news Ireland, the Longford star has made one thing crystal clear: there is one professional dancer she does not want by her side when the music starts.
Set to make her debut on the ABC competition in mid-September, Maura is expected to be one of the most closely watched names in this year’s cast. As Irish entertainment news and celebrity news Ireland continue to track her next career move, her latest comments have already sparked conversation well beyond the dance floor.
Maura Higgins sets boundaries before the ballroom begins
Speaking ahead of the new season, Maura said she would be happy to work with almost any professional on the show, but not Gleb Savchenko. Her reasoning was direct and personal, rooted in loyalty to her friend Brooks Nader.
Maura said she did not want to spend long hours partnered with someone whose public remarks about women she strongly disagrees with. In comments widely picked up across Irish celebrity news and TV news Ireland, she made it plain that friendship and principle are guiding her stance.
Why Gleb Savchenko is at the centre of the story
Gleb, a long-running pro on the US series, has danced with several well-known celebrities over the years. But his name returned to the spotlight after his brief romance with Brooks Nader, a close friend of Maura’s, ended publicly and messily.
Following the split, Gleb gave blunt interviews about the relationship, making remarks that triggered backlash online and fuelled trending entertainment Ireland discussions. Those comments appear to have shaped Maura’s view, with the reality star now publicly distancing herself from any potential pairing.
What this means for DWTS USA season 35
The celebrity-pro pairings have not yet been announced, which means producers still control how this plays out. But Maura’s comments add an extra layer of intrigue to a season already drawing strong attention from fans of reality TV Ireland, Love Island Ireland, and wider pop culture Ireland.
For viewers, there are a few key angles to watch:
- Whether producers avoid the pairing altogether
- How Gleb responds publicly, if at all
- Whether backstage tension becomes part of the season narrative
- Which pro ultimately gets matched with Maura
Maura has previously hinted that she would not mind dancing with fan-favourite Val Chmerkovskiy, a prospect that would certainly excite audiences following latest entertainment news Ireland and Irish TV news.
A bigger moment than just casting drama
This story is not only about a dance partnership. It also reflects how celebrity loyalty, public image, and off-screen comments can shape on-screen expectations. In today’s fast-moving entertainment updates Ireland cycle, stars are increasingly willing to define their boundaries before production even starts.
For Maura, that directness has long been part of her appeal. She knows how to command attention, but she also knows when to take a stand. That combination keeps her firmly in the centre of entertainment news Ireland and makes her DWTS run one to watch.
As the countdown to the new season continues, one takeaway stands out: Maura Higgins is entering the ballroom on her own terms. And in entertainment news Ireland, that may prove just as compelling as any first dance.
