‘DWTS’ Viewers Explain Why Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko’s ‘Wild’ Elimination Was the Right Decision

Their performances, especially Nader’s fiery salsa dedicated to her “ride or die” sisters, have certainly grabbed attention. After going through a challenging divorce this year, Nader poured her emotions into her dance, delivering a powerful performance that earned praise from the judges.

One of the judges, Carrie Ann Inaba highlighted Nader’s progress, stating, “I saw it. You did what we were talking about. You were finishing your moves. I felt like you were dancing in the power.”

Despite receiving a respectable score of 32 out of 40, Nader and Savchenko found themselves in the bottom three, alongside NBA champion Dwight Howard and actor Chandler Kinney. While it was a tight race, Nader and Savchenko’s elimination left some viewers talking, many of whom were quick to share their thoughts online.

Some people felt that while Nader’s beauty and family support were admirable, something was missing. “She’s gorgeous, and it’s fun to see her family support — but I just can’t connect to her,” one fan commented.

Another echoed a similar sentiment, “Her attitude had a lot to do with it… She’s a beautiful woman but her personality makes her not likable. I’m glad she went home.”

Others offered more critical feedback, focusing on her dancing. “She’s beautiful but her dancing is very stiff. She’s not fluid at all,” one fan noted. Another added, “If she took it serious she has a lot of potential to be a good dancer but she’s too wrapped up in herself and gleb people are tired of them[sic].”

However, not all fans agreed with the elimination. Many were shocked by the outcome, feeling that Nader and Savchenko didn’t deserve to go. “That was shocking!!” a user exclaimed, while another remarked, “Should have been the basketball player, not Brooks and Gleb.”

One viewer even remarked, “I’m shocked Brooks and Gleb were eliminated! I don’t know who I would have chosen to go home, but not them!” With a score tied to Kinney and higher than Howard’s, the elimination of Nader and Savchenko felt like a “wild” result for many.

Nader may have sensed her elimination was coming. Reflecting on the night, she admitted, “I just said, imagine if it was us, so maybe I manifested it. But we have so much fun together.”

And fun was certainly a theme for her partnership with Savchenko, as the duo even sealed their bond with matching tattoos. Just before their “Dancing With the Stars” performance on October 8, Nader opened up to Us Weekly about the new ink.

“I think [choosing the placement] was a joint effort,” she shared about her hip tattoo, explaining that they wanted it to be in a spot that wasn’t immediately visible. While the exact design remains a mystery, the ink marks yet another memorable chapter in their time on the show.

The duo certainly became a hot topic of discussion, capturing the audience’s attention both on and off the dance floor. During week two of the competition, a backstage video of the pair left fans in shock as they were spotted sharing an intimate moment, further fueling the buzz around their partnership.

In a clip that quickly made its way online, the pair was caught being openly affectionate, even sharing a kiss. Internet users took to social media platforms expressing everything from confusion to disbelief.

But it wasn’t just the kiss itself that got people talking — the real buzz centered around what it meant for their future on the show and whether their chemistry was more than just professional.

One TikTok user wrote, “I fear their showmance is gonna ruin their chances of winning,” while another bluntly stated, “He’s distracted and she’s unserious.”

An Instagram user was quick to point out, “Their chemistry is obvious,” while another asked, “I thought he was married with a kid lol.” One user summed up the curiosity, “Well it will be interesting to see his wife’s reaction to this.”

Over on X, reactions were no less dramatic. One user posted, “Like not shocked but omg,” while others were left questioning Savchenko’s relationship status. “Wait, what happened to Gleb’s baby mom?? This show is messy,” one wrote.

The truth is that Savchenko and his ex-wife, Elena Samodanova, officially divorced in 2021. The couple had publicly announced their split nearly a year earlier in November 2020, ending their 14-year marriage. According to court documents, their divorce was finalized on October 22, 2021.

Savchenko and Samodanova share joint legal and physical custody of their two daughters, Olivia and Zlata. Their breakup wasn’t without controversy.

In the months following their separation, Samodanova accused Savchenko of “ongoing infidelity” and said her trust in him had been “irrevocably broken.”

While Gleb Savchenko has always maintained his silence on these accusations, his relationship status has continued to stir speculation — and his display of affection with Nader only fuels the fire.

As the video continued to stir conversation, the focus shifted to how the unexpected romance would impact their “Dancing with the Stars” journey. While some saw their undeniable chemistry as a potential advantage on the dance floor, others were more skeptical, worried that their relationship could become a distraction.