Model Brooks Nader warned her sister Sarah Jane Nader not to get distracted by partners on Dancing With the Stars at New York Fashion Week. She urged the 24-year-old reality television personality to keep her focus entirely on winning the Mirrorball trophy during the upcoming competition.
Speaking on the Live From E! Stream: Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2027 Runway Show on September 10, Brooks urged her younger sister to avoid repeating the mistakes she made during her own appearance on the show.
Brooks previously competed on season 33 of the ABC reality competition series in 2024, finishing in ninth place while dating her professional dance partner Gleb Savchenko.
Standing alongside her sister Mary Holland Nader at the fashion event, Brooks recalled telling Sarah Jane to lock in and do the opposite of what she did.
"I said, 'Lock in, girl. Don't even think about it,'" Brooks said. "Do as I say, not as I do. Do not do what I did."
"I had my partner over every day. I was so distracted," Brooks continued. "I said, 'Just do the opposite of what I did.' And she was like, 'Noted.'"
Nader Family Support and Competition
The sisters star on the Freeform reality show Love Thy Nader alongside their 26-year-old sister Grace Ann Nader. Despite their close bond, Brooks acknowledged that their family remains highly competitive.
"If she doesn't go further than me, I'll never let her forget that, ever," Brooks joked at the New York Fashion Week event. "And if she does go further, I'll be applauding every step of the way."
Brooks also shared a scheduling conflict that provides extra motivation for Sarah Jane to advance through the rounds.
"I'm going to be gone for her middle dances," Brooks added. "So, I was like, 'You better make it past October 15th because I'm out of town.' So, there's some motivation."
Mary Holland Nader confirmed that the entire family plans to attend the season premiere to cheer from the audience. "The whole family will be at the first dance, so we will be supporting," Mary Holland noted, "as we always are."
Sarah Jane previously reflected on stepping into the spotlight without her sisters during the cast announcement on September 2. "I'm excited and scared in a way to be separated from my sisters during this and doing something so on my own," she told E! News. "I'm excited for people to see who I am as an individual and not just as a sister and yeah, just challenge myself."
A Historic Dance Pairing
Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars premieres on September 15, with Sarah Jane paired alongside new professional dancer Hailey Bills.
The partnership marks the second same-sex duo on the series since 2022 and only the third overall in the show's 21-year broadcasting history.
"I'm so proud of both of them," Brooks said of the historic pairing. "Hailey is such a talented dancer, and for this to be her first season is so special. To make history is always the coolest thing ever."
"They're working extremely hard. I have to hand it to them. There's no time for chitter-chatter, and I'm so proud," Brooks continued. "So, we'll see what happens on the dance floor. I can't wait!"
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Lineup
Sarah Jane is one of 16 celebrity contestants competing for the Mirrorball trophy in season 35.
Actress Julia Stiles, known for starring in 10 Things I Hate About You, will take to the dance floor with professional partner Ezra Sosa.
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis is trading her kitchen for the ballroom, pairing up with professional dancer Alan Bersten.
Actor Harry Shum Jr., famous for his work on Glee, brings his musical background to the competition alongside partner Jenna Johnson.
Former 1990s teen heartthrob Taylor Hanson aims for the top of the leaderboard with professional dancer Britt Stewart.
Actress Tatyana Ali, known for her role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, will showcase her moves with professional partner Jan Ravnik.
Dancer and actress Jenna Dewan steps onto the dance floor 20 years after starring in Step Up, joining forces with professional Val Chmerkovskiy.
Figure skater Amber Glenn, a 2026 Olympic athlete, transitions her physical skills from ice to the ballroom with partner Pasha Pashkov.
Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech will showcase his athletic abilities alongside professional dancer Daniella Karagach.
Comedian Connor Wood, widely recognized as Fibula on social media, will perform with professional partner Rylee Arnold.
Conner Leavitt of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives follows his wife Whitney Leavitt, who competed on season 34. He is paired with Adele Zaikman.
Bachelor Nation star Tyler Cameron exchanges roses for rumbas as he dances with veteran professional Sharna Burgess.
Savannah Bananas baseball player Jackson Olson brings his diamond moves to the ballroom alongside partner Emma Slater.
Guillermo Rodriguez of Jimmy Kimmel Live! prepares to learn new routines with professional partner Witney Carson.
Summer House star Ciara Miller is prepping for her ballroom debut with partner Brandon Armstrong. In June, Miller told E! News, "Looks are not indicative of being in shape. I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
Love Island UK alumna Maura Higgins joins partner Mark Ballas after manifesting the opportunity. Higgins told E! News in May that she spent New Year's Eve updating her vision board with five mentions of the show, adding, "I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
