Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills Smash Sk8er Boi Jive, Fans Shudder

The second episode of *Dancing with the Stars* premiered Wednesday, and the show’s first female‑only duo, Sarah Jane Nader and professional dancer Hailey Bills, were sent home. Their jive to Avril Lavigne’s 2002 hit “Sk8er Boi” earned just 14 points out of a possible 30, .

The elimination follows a first‑night sweep of male contestants Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman. Teams on night two included Tatyana Ali/Jan Ravnik, Giada De Laurentiis/Alan Bersten, Jenna Dewan/Val Chmerkovskiy, Amber Glenn/Pasha Pashkov, Maura Higgins/Mark Ballas, Ciara Miller/Brandon Armstrong, and Julia Stiles/Ezra Sosa.

Nader and Bills were the only pair to fall from the leaderboard.

## What Happened

Sarah Jane and Hailey’s routine was a high‑energy jive set to “Sk8er Boi.” The judges awarded a total of 14 points, with Carrie Ann Inaba describing the performance as “super hot” but noting that the pair were “out of sync.” Derek Hough acknowledged that he could “see the potential,” yet agreed the synchronization was lacking.

Bruno Tonioli praised their ambition, calling them “the hottest, coolest, badass girls in town,” but reminded them that precision and timing are crucial for a jive. The combined score and fan input placed Nader and Bills at the bottom of the leaderboard, leading to their elimination.

## Background & Context

The show’s format alternates nightly between male‑only and female‑only teams. Night one saw male contestants Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman depart after a series of performances. On night two, the female teams showcased dances that incorporated songs from their birth year, providing a nostalgic element for viewers.

Sarah Jane’s pairing with Hailey was the second all‑female duo to compete on the dance floor, following a precedent set by earlier seasons. The format emphasizes both technical skill and audience connection, with judges’ scores and public votes jointly determining each week’s fate.

## What People Are Saying

After her exit, Sarah Jane appeared on *Good Morning America* and reflected, “As sad as we are to not dance next week, we were so excited.

I think we’re just grateful we had this opportunity and our partnership was so special, not only because we became best friends but because we represent a whole community, being the second ever all‑female pairing on the dance floor is such an honor, and I hope somebody watching it at home felt touched or seen or represented tonight.” She added, “I hope we’ve done something impactful, and even though we don’t get to do it more, it felt really good and it was a really fun experience.”

Hailey expressed equal sentiment: “It was truly so special… I can’t imagine my first year with anyone else. I just feel grateful.” In an interview with *Extra* on Monday, Sarah praised Hailey’s choreography skills, saying the pro “crushed the choreography” for their first dance.

The judges’ comments highlighted both praise and critique, with Inaba’s “super hot” remark juxtaposed against Tonioli’s insistence on synchronicity. Fans continued to vote online, though the final tally left Nader and Bills without a spot in the next round.

As the season progresses, viewers will see which pairs survive the next challenge and whether new all‑female partnerships will emerge. The dynamic of judges’ feedback, public voting, and unexpected eliminations keeps *Dancing with the Stars* a compelling spectacle for its audience.

The episode concluded with a reminder that while Sarah Jane and Hailey’s journey on the show ended early, their impact on viewers—especially those who saw themselves represented—remains a significant takeaway.