How Many Same-Sex Partnerships Have Competed on ‘Dancing with the Stars’?

The countdown to the new season of Dancing with the Stars is on!

Season 35 of the hit ABC dancing competition series will kick off its new season with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8:00 p.m. on ABC and Disney+

The cast for the new season was just revealed, and it was announced that reality star Sarah Jane Nader and new pro dancer Hailey Bills will be the third same-sex partnership in the show’s history.

Before Sarah Jane and Hailey hit the ballroom for their first dance of the season, you may be trying to remember which same-sex partnerships previously competed on the show, so we put together a quick refresher for you!

Keep scrolling to see all of the same-sex couples that competed on DWTS over the years…

Jojo Siwa & Jenna Johnson

In 2021, JoJo Siwa and pro dancer Jenna Johnson made history as the first same-sex couple to compete on Dancing with the Stars for season 30. JoJo‘s casting on the show came months after she came publicly as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Dance Moms alum immediately impressed the judges and fans with her dance skills. The pair ended up in second place, behind NBA star Iman Shumpert and his partner Daniella Karagach.

After her performance in the finale, judge Bruno Tonioli told JoJo, “Honestly, I wish you were around when I was a kid. It would have made it so much better for all of us.”

Carrie Ann Inaba also praised JoJo, sharing, “When I watch you dance, all I can think of is that I feel safe with the future. Because you’re such an incredible role model. With role models like you, we’re going to be OK.”

“Hearing those things like that never gets old, never gets unappreciated, never gets any less,” JoJo told ET at the time. “It means more and more every time somebody says something like that to me. Honestly, I just am so grateful that, with the younger generation, that I have a platform to be a voice for them and to be a person for them to look to, and to see, ‘She’s a girl, she was in a relationship with a girl, she’s not weird.’ It’s as simple as that.”

Shangela & Gleb Savchenko

In 2022, Shangela made history as the first drag queen to compete on Dancing with the Stars. The RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, whose real name is Darius Jeremy Pierce, was partnered with Gleb Savchenko. They were also the first two-male partnership.

Shangela and Gleb made it to the finale, coming in fourth place.

“It’s all about art and love and it doesn’t matter…two guys dancing together or two girls dancing together…to me it is creating something special,” Gleb told GLAAD in 2022. “We have created history, and I love everything about it.” He goes on to say, “I am proud of the work that we do. I have never been so excited in the past to be on Dancing with the Stars as I am right now with DJ (Shangela).”

Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills

In 2026, it was announced that reality star Sarah Jane Nader will be partnered with first-time pro Hailey Bills for season 35 of Dancing with the Stars, making them the third same-sex partnership in the show’s history.

In a new interview with EW, Sarah Jane said, “I think it’s so cool to be the representation that I didn’t have growing up.”

“I’m just so honored to be here and be doing this,” she added. “And I hope that in a few years it’s very normal that two girls are dancing together on this show.”

DWTS season 35 will kick off its new season with a two-night premiere on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, at 8:00 p.m. on ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu. There will be a live after show, DWTS After Party, hosted by season 34 winner Robert Irwin on Wednesday (September 16). He’ll be “checking in with eliminated contestants and breaking down the best moments” with DWTS alumi!

You can see the full season 35 cast here!

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