Gleb Savchenko addresses absence from DWTS Season 35

Professional dancer Gleb Savchenko has publicly addressed his absence from the upcoming 35th season of "Dancing With the Stars," assuring fans he is in good spirits despite not being part of the new cast. The announcement of the season 35 lineup on September 2 confirmed the veteran pro would not be returning, marking his first absence from the competition in a decade. Savchenko, 42, responded to the news the same day via Instagram, posting a video of himself by a pool. "Guys, you can stop telling me you're sorry. I'm good," he said in the clip. In the caption, he wrote, "Nothing but love and gratitude for all the years in that ballroom. Excited for this next chapter and wishing everyone an amazing season." He added, "No sad messages. We're moving forward." The dancer's departure comes after he appeared on every season since 2016, most recently being paired with Hilaria Baldwin in season 34. While the show's producers typically rotate the professional lineup each season, Savchenko's exit has drawn significant attention.