Maura Higgins Rules Out Gleb Savchenko as DWTS Partner, Eyes Mark Ballas Instead

Maura Higgins has already made clear which professional dancer she's hoping to avoid when she takes the floor on Dancing with the Stars Season 35.

The Traitors alum, recently confirmed as a contestant for the upcoming season, sat down with E! News to discuss her preferences for a dance partner. At the top of her list of people to skip: pro dancer Gleb Savchenko.

Her reasoning stems from personal loyalty. Higgins counts model Brooks Nader among her close friends—and Nader previously competed on the show with Savchenko. "I'd be happy with anyone except Gleb. That's only because I'm loyal and I'm friends with Brooks Nader," Higgins explained.

The reality star didn't leave it at that. She also took issue with how Savchenko has spoken publicly about women, saying she'd rather not invest her time "with someone like that."

When it comes to potential romance on the dance floor, Higgins shut that door firmly. Drawing a connection to the well-documented connection between Brooks and Gleb from their season together, she made her stance clear: "You're not getting a showmance from me at all. It's not happening. I'm single, I'm celibate and I'm bloody happy."

She elaborated, "I'm so happy. I just don't want it."

As for her ideal pairing, Higgins has a specific name in mind. She's hoping to land fellow Traitors Season 4 cast member Mark Ballas as her professional partner. "I even get nervous of saying it because I see all these videos and they're like, 'Mark! Mark!'" she joked. "My accent is crazy but I do want Mark."