Sasha Farber stands on the sidelines, his spirits high as he rallies support for his fellow dancers. Following keen observations by fans about his absence from the season 34 cast reveal of "Dancing With the Stars" on September 3, the seasoned professional dancer quickly set the record straight, reassuring his followers that he harbors no ill will towards the ABC competition series. Instead, he poured his heart out in anticipation for the upcoming season, which boasts an impressive lineup of celebrity contestants, including Dylan Efron, Hilaria Baldwin, and Jordan Chiles.
"I'm absolutely thrilled for the fresh faces and celebrity stars!!!" Sasha enthused in a statement to E! News on September 3. "This promises to be an unforgettable season, and I'm deeply appreciative of the unwavering support and affection from all my fans."
The 41-year-old dancer also addressed the concerns of his viewers through a TikTok video, responding to a user who lamented that the 2025 season "just wouldn't be the same" without him. "A heartfelt thank you, truly!!!" Sasha penned back on September 1, adding, "It's shaping up to be an outstanding season."
While Sasha won't be gracing the ballroom with his talents this autumn, this isn't his first foray into skipping a season. After making his debut alongside Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi in 2013, he took a brief hiatus before returning as a pro dancer in 2016, partnering with Kim Fields. Sasha also sat out the show's milestone 25th season in 2017, only to make a triumphant return the following year, dancing alongside Tonya Harding.
More recently, Sasha—who was married to fellow "DWTS" pro Emma Slater from 2018 to 2022—shared the dance floor with "The Bachelorette" alumnus Jenn Tran during season 33. Their professional bond blossomed into a romantic relationship, but unfortunately, it fizzled out in June after less than a year. "Jenn is diligently focusing on her studies in Miami and prioritizing her goals above all else," a source shared with E! News at the time. "She doesn't require a partner to define her in the public eye."
The 34th season of "Dancing With the Stars" will kick off on ABC on September 16.
