DANCING With the Stars producers are heavily leaning into speculation Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko are a hot new item to improve ratings, a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
The couple, as well as the show, have been playing into rumors the pair are dating for weeks and last night, only added fuel to the fire when they performed their sultry first dance on the DWTS premiere.
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Brooks, 27, and Gleb 41, got the ballroom up on their feet as they did a sexy tango to the Britney Spears classic Piece of Me.
The Sports Illustrated cover girl picked the song as her “anthem” and danced in a barely-there sequin cutout dress.
As the show aired, it made multiple nods to how close the bond was between Brooks and Gleb – who have not been shy about their touchy-feely connection.
“Brooks said the producers are aggressively pushing the dating narrative,” a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.
“They know it’s good for ratings but also good for them to get votes so they’re leaning into it.
“She still really likes Gleb. They were really close and touchy after the show.”
The insider added: “Nothing has happened between them yet physically but her friends are all waiting for it. I think they don’t want to complicate things so early in the season but it’s bound to happen.”
The show appeared to not-so-subtly hint at romance rumors during the live premiere last night, when host Julianne Hough questioned just how close their bond really is.
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After their performance, Gleb and Brooks headed up to get their results and were greeted by Julianne.
“Brooks you’re one of the most gorgeous humans on the planet. But you two together… you’re like a work of art, it’s really stunning,” the host emphasized before point blank asking: “What is your chemistry like?”
Gleb instantly smirked and said “we have a lot of fun,” which Brooks agrees with, but noted that they keep it strictly business and claimed it’s “only about the dancing.”
However, they both give each other a look when she says that and showcase a devilish smile before letting out a big laugh – potentially implying something could be bubbling under the surface.
“Y’all are freaking cute,” Julianne added after the duo’s reaction.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba emphasized was blown away by their chemistry, and gushed after the dance: “That was hot, you know what I mean? I mean that was HOT.”
In terms of how Brooks felt about her performance, the source said: “She felt overwhelmed by everything last night it was a lot more than she thought with the bright lights and producer chaos but she was fine with her performance.
“She knows she can do better. Gleb made her feel great after and hyped her up. Really supportive.”
DWTS Season 33 Full Cast List
13 contestants are battling it out on Season 33 of the ABC reality series.
- Stephen Nedoroscik, partnered with Rylee Arnold
- Ilona Maher, partnered with Alan Bersten
- Jenn Tran, partnered with Sasha Farber
- Anna Delvey, partnered with Ezra Sosa
- Eric Roberts, partnered with Britt Stewart
- Chandler Kinney, partnered with Brandon Armstrong.
- Tori Spelling, partnered with Pasha Pashkov
- Joey Graziadei, partnered with Jenna Johnson
- Reginald VelJohnson, partnered with Emma Slater
- Phaedra Parks, partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy
- Dwight Howard, partnered with Daniella Karagach
- Danny Amendola, partnered with Witney Carson
- Brooks Nader, partnered with Gleb Savchenko
Gleb and Brooks got a total score of 18 out of 30, getting a 6 from each of the three judges.
The U.S. Sun reached out to DWTS for comment.
On Tuesday, an insider close to the model opened up about the “electric” chemistry she’s feeling with her dance partner.
“He seems enamored by her in rehearsals and just getting to know each other after practice.
“They haven’t hooked up yet or anything but they’re very flirty, very touchy feely. I mean VERY touchy feely they really seem comfortable with each other.
“She said she’s never been with a dancer before so the closeness physically and mentally has been new for her and is electric for their chemistry in a way she’s not experienced.
“It’s still early in the season and she’s single so everyone that knows her is encouraging it, she seems attracted to him.”
The insider added that the “people around her like Gleb” and noted that “he’s hot, so why not?”
The two appeared to have instant chemistry as they spent recent weeks sharing TikTok videos of her sitting on his lap, touching each other’s thighs during late-night practices and bonding over their favorite music.
On last night’s premiere, Brooks confirmed she was single after divorcing her husband, Billy Haire, earlier this year after tying-the-knot in 2019.
Gleb is also newly-single as he revealed he split from his longtime girlfriend in April.
DWTS airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET on ABC.
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