How Hailey Bills Is Stepping Out of Jenna Johnson’s Shadow on DWTS
In the glittering world of Dancing with the Stars, family connections often spark initial interest. For Hailey Bills, being the niece of longtime pro Jenna Johnson has long been part of her story. Yet as Season 35 unfolds, Bills is proving that her talent, work ethic, and distinctive presence stand firmly on their own. From competitive dance stages to the main ballroom as a first-time pro, Hailey Bills is writing a chapter that celebrates both her roots and her independence.
Born on May 18, 2006, in Utah, Hailey Bills grew up immersed in movement. She began formal dance training at age six, quickly excelling across styles including ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip-hop, tap, and ballroom. Her competitive resume includes major titles: Mini Female Best Dancer at The Dance Awards in 2017 and Teen Female Best Dancer in 2022. These achievements were earned through consistent training at studios such as Prodigy Dance and Performing Arts Centre and later Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Utah, where she trained alongside future pros including Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa.
Dance runs deep in the Bills family. Hailey’s mother, Stacy Bills (Jenna Johnson’s older sister), is herself an accomplished dancer and educator who has coached Brigham Young University’s Cougarettes and taught at multiple studios. That environment fostered both technical excellence and a genuine love for the art form. Hailey has spoken about her mother’s influence in helping her reconnect with the pure joy of dancing when perfectionism threatened to take over.
SARAH JANE NADAR HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM DANCING WITH THE STARS 🥺
— BET99 Sportsbook (@BET99Sportsbook) September 17, 2026
You have to feel for Hailey Bills, getting eliminated in your pro debut is tough but what a night and performance it was đź‘Ź
Sarah Jane Nadar was (+250) to get eliminated FIRST đź‘€
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE…
Early Spotlight: Dancing with the Stars: Juniors
Hailey’s first national television appearance came in 2018 on the short-lived spin-off Dancing with the Stars: Juniors. At just 12 years old, she was cast as a junior professional partnered with Tripp Johnston Palin, the son of Bristol Palin. Their mentor was none other than Jenna Johnson. The pairing was eliminated first, yet the experience left a lasting mark. Hailey later reflected that having her aunt as mentor felt natural: she could simply be herself rather than meet a celebrity for the first time.
That early exposure to the franchise planted a seed. Years later, while still a teenager, Hailey wrote a personal note expressing her dream of someday competing on the main Dancing with the Stars stage and becoming “just like” her aunt. The note resurfaced in 2026 when she shared it alongside her official pro announcement photos, a full-circle moment that resonated with fans.
Sarah Jane Nader, who will compete with new pro Hailey Bills on season 35 of Dancing With the Stars, revealed her sister Brooks Nader’s advice following her romance with dance partner Gleb Savchenko. https://t.co/cOYAE1Nhfl pic.twitter.com/pT4empIxTd
— E! News (@enews) September 2, 2026
From Troupe Member to Professional Partner
After high school graduation in 2024, Hailey briefly attended Brigham Young University and joined the Cougarettes dance team. She also served as a Pro Assistant for Ovation Dance, the competition associated with Derek and Julianne Hough. In 2025 she performed with Derek Hough at a Savannah Bananas game, further expanding her professional network.
Later that year, the call she had long hoped for arrived: she was invited to join the Dancing with the Stars troupe for Season 34. The troupe has historically served as a proving ground and launchpad for future pros, including Jenna Johnson herself, Alan Bersten, Witney Carson, and others. Hailey performed alongside fellow new members Onye Stevenson, Carter Williams, and Jaxon Willard. Sharing the stage with her aunt Jenna and uncle Val Chmerkovskiy made the season especially meaningful for the family.
Jenna captured the emotional announcement in a late-night video from Paris, celebrating the news that she and her niece would appear together. Hailey responded with pure gratitude, calling the moment unforgettable. During the season, fans noted the physical resemblance between aunt and niece, especially when they wore matching costumes in group numbers.
The leap from troupe to pro came relatively quickly. In April 2026, while on the Dancing with the Stars tour, executive producer Deena Katz approached Hailey about the possibility of partnering with a female celebrity. Hailey’s response was immediate and enthusiastic. By September 2026 she was officially announced as a professional dancer for Season 35.
Key Milestone: At age 20, Hailey Bills became one of the youngest pros on the current roster, joining a new generation that includes Rylee Arnold, Adele Zaikman, and Ezra Sosa.
A History-Making Partnership with Sarah Jane Nader
Hailey’s first celebrity partner is Sarah Jane Nader, the model and star of Hulu’s Love Thy Nader. Nader’s older sister Brooks competed on Season 33, adding another layer of franchise connection. Their pairing marks the second all-female celebrity-pro couple in the history of the American version of the show, following Jenna Johnson and JoJo Siwa in Season 30. It is also the third same-sex partnership overall, after Shangela and Gleb Savchenko in Season 31.
Both women have spoken positively about the opportunity. Sarah Jane described the pairing as “such an honor” and a “crazy opportunity,” noting how meaningful it felt to create visibility she herself did not see growing up. Hailey expressed pure excitement, saying she could not be happier with her partner. Executive producer Conrad Green explained that Nader, who is openly bisexual, specifically hoped for a female partner, and the chemistry between the two women stood out during casting discussions.
The family parallel has not gone unnoticed. Sarah Jane playfully called the connection “iconic family behavior,” given that Hailey’s aunt pioneered the first all-female pairing. Rather than diminish Hailey’s achievement, the echo underscores how far the show and the Bills-Johnson family have come in supporting diverse partnerships on the ballroom floor.
Stepping Out of the Shadow: Establishing Her Own Identity
Being related to a beloved pro can be both a blessing and a potential limitation. Early coverage often led with the “Jenna Johnson’s niece” framing. Hailey has never distanced herself from that connection—she has repeatedly expressed pride and affection for her aunt—but her trajectory shows deliberate steps toward individual recognition.
Her competitive titles, junior pro experience, troupe work, and now full professional status form a résumé built on performance rather than lineage alone. Colleagues and producers have highlighted her readiness and positive attitude. On the tour and in rehearsals, she has demonstrated the teaching skills, adaptability, and stage presence required of a pro who must elevate a celebrity partner week after week.
The same-sex partnership itself functions as a defining early statement. While the family link to Jenna’s historic Season 30 run is poetic, Hailey is the one teaching, choreographing, and competing in the present moment. That responsibility places her squarely in the spotlight on her own merits.
Personal Life: Privacy Amid Public Attention
Hailey Bills maintains a notably private personal life. As of 2026 she has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships or commented extensively on her dating history. She is currently single and prefers to keep the focus on her work.
During Season 34, her friendly interactions with then-contestant Robert Irwin sparked unconfirmed romance rumors among fans. Social media speculation, a DeuxMoi blind item, and shared dance videos fueled the conversation. Neither Hailey nor Robert has validated those rumors, and both appear to have prioritized their professional commitments. Hailey has continued to let her dancing speak louder than any off-stage speculation.
Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, like her aunt, Hailey’s upbringing emphasizes family, discipline, and community—values that appear to guide her approach to sudden public attention. She balances the demands of television with the same grounded perspective that helped her navigate competitive dance from a young age.
What Lies Ahead
Every new pro faces the dual challenge of proving technical ability and building audience connection. Hailey enters the ballroom with advantages: deep franchise familiarity, strong family support, proven competitive success, and a partner who shares genuine enthusiasm for their historic pairing. At the same time, she carries the ordinary pressures of weekly performances, judging critiques, and public voting.
Her story resonates beyond the ballroom because it mirrors a broader experience many young people face when following in a relative’s footsteps. The goal is not to erase the connection but to expand it—adding new achievements, new partnerships, and a distinct personal style. Whether future seasons bring additional celebrity partners, different styles of competition, or opportunities outside the show, Hailey Bills has already demonstrated the foundation necessary for a sustained career.
In an industry that often reduces newcomers to their most clickable associations, Hailey’s rising profile offers a quieter, more substantive narrative: consistent work, earned opportunities, and the courage to step forward even when the spotlight first arrives through family. Jenna Johnson’s pride is evident in her public reactions. Equally clear is Hailey’s determination to stand as a professional dancer in her own right.
As audiences continue to watch her journey, they are witnessing more than the next chapter in a dance dynasty. They are watching a young artist claim her place on the floor—one routine, one partnership, and one confident step at a time.