DWTS: Sasha Farber Says Season 35 Absence Isn’t His Choice

Sasha Farber revealed he did not salsa away from Dancing With the Stars.

After the season 35 cast was unveiled Sept. 2, the 12-time pro was not among the experts paired to dance alongside celebrity competitors like Julia Stiles, Ciara Miller and Taylor Hanson. And while addressing fans’ disappointment by his absence, he clarified that the decision was out of his hands.

When the 42-year-old posted a TikTok quickstepping to “Land of 1000 Dances,” his fanbase waltzed into the comment section to express how much they had hoped to see Farber return as a pro after participating in season 34 as a social media correspondent. 

In a since-deleted comment with a red heart emoji, Farber replied, according to Us Weekly, “Not my choice.”

And the Russia native—who has tangoed alongside Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Simone Biles and Selma Blair over 12 seasons—received an outpouring of love from viewers amid the revelation.

Farber showed his appreciation through a string of heart-faced emojis in response to a fan who wrote, “Idk I feel like Sasha is one of the best male pros and I don’t get why he’s not on this season again.”