Sasha Farber
Australian professional dancer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aleksandr Mikhailovich "Sasha" Farber (born 9 May 1984) is an Australian professional dancer and choreographer. He is best known for his appearances on the reality competition series Dancing with the Stars.
9 May 1984
- Dancer
- choreographer
Sasha Farber | |
|---|---|
| Born | Aleksandr Mikhailovich Farber 9 May 1984 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Spouse | |
Early life
Aleksandr Mikhailovich Farber[1] was born to a Jewish family on 9 May 1984 in Byelorussian SSR (present-day Belarus).[2] The town he was born in was not far from Chernobyl, Ukrainian SSR (present-day Ukraine).[3] After the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986, his family emigrated to Sydney, Australia.[2]
Career
Farber began dancing at the age of 13, while training for his bar mitzvah.[4] By 17, he won the Australian Youth Latin Championships twice and represented Australia at the World Latin Championships.[4] He was also featured in the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics and appeared on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars.[4] In 2009, Farber made his Broadway debut as an original cast member on the theatrical dance production Burn the Floor.[4]
2013–present: Dancing with the Stars
Farber's tenure on the American version of Dancing with the Stars began on the fourteenth season as a member of the troupe.[5] He was promoted to pro for season 17, where he was partnered with Jersey Shore cast member Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi.[6] Despite receiving good scores from the judges, the pair were eliminated during the seventh week of competition on 28 October 2013, finishing in eighth place.[7] Farber was placed back in the troupe for the next four seasons.[8]
For season 22, Farber was promoted to pro again and was paired with actress Kim Fields.[9] They were eliminated during the seventh week of competition on 2 May 2016 in a double elimination alongside Von Miller and Witney Carson; both couples finished in seventh place.[10]
For season 23, Farber was partnered with Little Women: LA cast member Terra Jolé.[11] They reached the semi-finals and were eliminated during the tenth week of competition on 14 November 2016, finishing in fifth place despite tying for the top of the leaderboard. The season marked Farber's first appearance in the semi-finals.[12]
For season 24, Farber was partnered with Olympic artistic gymnast Simone Biles.[13] They were shockingly eliminated during the semi-finals on 15 May 2017, finishing in fourth place despite receiving two perfect scores from the judges.[14] Farber returned to the troupe for the following season.[15]
Farber appeared as a pro again for the Athletes season, and was paired with Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding.[16] The couple reached the finals and finished in third place on 21 May 2018. This season marked Farber's first appearance in the finale and his highest placement to-date.[17]
For season 27, he was partnered with Olympic artistic gymnast Mary Lou Retton.[18] They were eliminated during the sixth week of competition on 29 October 2018, finishing in ninth place.[19] During the season, Farber also appeared on the spin-off series Dancing with the Stars: Juniors as a mentor for Scottie Pippen’s daughter, Sophia, and pro dancer Jake Monreal.[20] They were eliminated during the third week of competition on 21 October 2018, finishing in ninth place.[21]
For season 28, Farber was paired with singer Ally Brooke of the girl group Fifth Harmony.[22] They reached the finals and finished in third place on 25 November 2019.[23]
For season 29, Farber was partnered with actress Justina Machado.[24] They also reached the finals and finished in fourth place on 23 November 2020.[25]
For season 30, Farber was partnered with Olympic artistic gymnast Suni Lee.[26] They reached the semi-finals and were eliminated on 15 November 2021 in a double elimination alongside Melora Hardin and Artem Chigvintsev. Farber and Lee ultimately finished in fifth place.[27]
For season 31, he was partnered actress Selma Blair.[28] On 17 October 2022, Blair and Farber were forced to withdraw from the competition due to Blair’s ongoing health condition with multiple sclerosis finishing in 12th place.
For season 32, he was partnered with film & television actress Alyson Hannigan.[29] The couple made it to the finale and finished in fifth place.[30]
For season 33, Farber was partnered with The Bachelorette star Jenn Tran.[31] They were eliminated week 6, and finished in 7th place.[32][33]
| Season | Partner | Place |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Snooki | 8th |
| 22 | Kim Fields | 7th |
| 23 | Terra Jolé | 5th |
| 24 | Simone Biles | 4th |
| 26 | Tonya Harding | 3rd |
| 27 | Mary Lou Retton | 9th |
| 28 | Ally Brooke | 3rd |
| 29 | Justina Machado | 4th |
| 30 | Suni Lee | 5th |
| 31 | Selma Blair | 12th |
| 32 | Alyson Hannigan | 5th |
| 33 | Jenn Tran | 7th |
Season 17
Celebrity partner: Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha-cha-cha | "Wild Ones" — Flo Rida, feat. Sia | 7 | 8 | 7 | 22 | No Elimination |
| 2 | Rumba | "Just Give Me a Reason" — P!nk, feat. Nate Ruess | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | Safe |
| 3 | Quickstep | "Sparkling Diamonds" — Nicole Kidman | 9 | 8 | 8 | 25 | Safe |
| 4 | Jive | "Mickey" 一 Toni Basil | 8 | 8[b] | 8 | 24 | Safe |
| 5 | Jazz | "Work Bitch" — Britney Spears | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | Safe |
| 6 | Foxtrot | "Build Me Up Buttercup" — The Foundations | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | No Elimination |
| Megamix Switch-Up Challenge | "Hot in Herre" — Nelly "In the Hall of the Mountain King" — Edvard Grieg "Let's Get It On" — Marvin Gaye "Doop" — Doop |
+3 | 3[c] | ||||
| 7 | Samba | "Hey Mama" — Black Eyed Peas | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | Eliminated |
| Team Freestyle | "Bom Bom" — Sam and the Womp | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | ||
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
- Julianne Hough filled in for Len Goodman.
- Nicole and Sasha received 3 bonus points from the switch-up challenge.
Season 22
Celebrity partner: Kim Fields
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha-cha-cha | "Sax" — Fleur East | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 | No Elimination |
| 2 | Salsa | "Conga" — Miami Sound Machine | 7 | 6 | 6 | 19 | Safe |
| 3 | Foxtrot | "Theme from The Facts of Life" — Al Burton, Gloria Loring & Alan Thicke | 8 | 7 | 7 | 22 | Safe |
| 4 | Quickstep | "I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)" — Fall Out Boy | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32[b] | Safe |
| 5 | Viennese waltz[c] | "These Arms of Mine" — Otis Redding | 8 | 6 | 8 | 28[d] | No Elimination |
| Rumba[e] | "Perfect" — One Direction | 8 | 8 | 8 | 31[f] | ||
| 6 | Jive | "You Can't Stop the Beat" — from Hairspray | 8 | 8 | 8 | 24 | Safe |
| 7 | Samba | "ABC" — The Jackson 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | Eliminated |
| Team Freestyle | "End of Time" "If I Were a Boy" "Crazy in Love" — Beyoncé |
8 | 8 | 9 | 25 | ||
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
- Week 5 was switch-up week. Kim Fields officially danced with Keo Motsepe, but their scores went towards her average with Sasha.
- Kim and Keo received a score of 6 from guest judge Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
- Week 5 was switch-up week. Sasha officially danced with Paige VanZant, but his score did not contribute to his average with Kim Fields.
- Paige and Sasha received a score of 7 from guest judge Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Season 23
Celebrity partner: Terra Jolé
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- Due to Len Goodman's absence, scores were given on a 30 point scale.
- Due to Len Goodman's absence, scores were given on a 30 point scale.
- Due to Len Goodman's absence, scores were given on a 30 point scale.
- Terra & Sasha received one vote from Carrie Ann, but lost the dance-off.
- Terra and Sasha received a score of 10 from guest judge Idina Menzel.
- Terra and Sasha were partnered with Marilu and Derek.
- The team-up dance received a score of 9 from guest judge Idina Menzel.
- Due to Len Goodman's absence, scores were given on a 30 point scale.
- Due to Len Goodman's absence, scores were given on a 30 point scale.
Season 24
Celebrity partner: Simone Biles
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tango | "Untouchable" — Tritonal & Cash Cash, feat. JHart | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | No Elimination |
| 2 | Cha-cha-cha | "Burnin' Up" — Jessie J, feat. 2 Chainz | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Safe |
| 3 | Quickstep | "Viva Las Vegas" — Elvis Presley | 7 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 33 | Safe |
| 4 | Viennese waltz | "Good Good Father" — Chris Tomlin | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 36 | Safe |
| 5 | Contemporary | "How Far I'll Go" — Auliʻi Cravalho | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 38 | Safe |
| 6 | Samba | "Survivor" — Destiny's Child | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 35 | Safe |
| Team Freestyle | "My Boyfriend's Back" — The Chiffons "No Scrubs" — TLC "Bo$$" — Fifth Harmony |
8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 34 | ||
| 7 | Charleston | "Charleston" — Bob Wilson and his Varsity Rhythm Boys | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 37 | Safe |
| Cha-cha-cha Dance-off | "Crave" — Pharrell Williams | Winner | 2[b] | |||||
| 8 | Foxtrot | "What Makes You Beautiful" — One Direction | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 36 | Safe |
| Paso doble | "Don't Let Me Down" — The Chainsmokers, feat. Daya | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 36 | ||
| 9 | Jive | "Faith" — Stevie Wonder, feat. Ariana Grande | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | Eliminated |
| Rumba | "Skyscraper" — Demi Lovato | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | ||
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Julianne Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- Simone & Sasha also received 2 bonus votes for winning the dance-off. They got votes from all four judges, plus the public vote (63%).
Season 26
Celebrity partner: Tonya Harding
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foxtrot | "When You Believe" — Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey | 8 | 8 | 7 | 23 | Safe |
| 2 | Quickstep | "Redneck Woman" — Gretchen Wilson | 8 | 8 | 8 | 33[b] | Safe |
| Team Freestyle | "...Baby One More Time" — The Baseballs | 8 | 8 | 8 | 33[c] | Safe | |
| 3 | Rumba | "See You Again" — Tyler Ward | 8 | 8 | 8 | 33[d] | Safe |
| Cha-cha-cha Dance-off | "Dance" — DNCE | Winner | 2[e] | ||||
| 4 | Viennese waltz | "The Time of My Life" — David Cook | 8 | 9 | 9 | 26 | Third Place |
| Freestyle | "I Will Survive" — The Pussycat Dolls | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 | ||
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
- Tonya and Sasha also received a score of 9 from guest judge Rashad Jennings.
- The team dance also received a score of 9 from guest judge Rashad Jennings.
- Tonya and Sasha also received a score of 9 from guest judge David Ross.
- Tonya and Sasha also received 2 bonus points for winning the dance-off.
Season 27
Celebrity partner: Mary Lou Retton
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha-cha-cha | "Treasure" — Bruno Mars | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 | Bottom Five |
| Cha-cha-cha | "Hot Stuff" — Donna Summer | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | Safe | |
| 2 | Waltz | "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" — Sarah Bockel | 8 | 7 | 7 | 22 | No Elimination |
| Samba | "Copacabana" — Barry Manilow | 8 | 8 | 8 | 24 | Safe | |
| 3 | Viennese waltz | "We Are the Champions" — Ray Chew | 8 | 8 | 8 | 24 | Safe |
| 4 | Charleston | "V.E.S.P.A." — Dimie Cat | 9 | 8 | 9 | 26 | Safe |
| 5 | Contemporary | "Reflection" — Lea Salonga | 9 | 8 | 8 | 25 | No Elimination |
| 6 | Tango | "Shame" — Elle King | 8 | 8 | 8 | 24 | Eliminated |
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
Season 28
Celebrity partner: Ally Brooke
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli.
- Ally and Sasha also received a score of 8 from guest judge Leah Remini.
- Ally & Sasha did not receive any bonus points for losing the dance-off.
- Ally and Sasha also received a score of 10 from guest judge Joey Fatone.
- Ally and Sasha also received a score of 10 from guest judge Joey Fatone.
Season 29
Celebrity partner: Justina Machado
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- Justina and Sasha were awarded two bonus points from the relay.
- Justina & Sasha also received 2 bonus votes for winning the dance-off.
Season 30
Celebrity partner: Suni Lee
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jive | "Stay" — The Kid Laroi & Justin Bieber | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | No Elimination |
| 2 | Cha-cha-cha | "I Like It" — Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Safe |
| 3 | Foxtrot | "I'm a Slave 4 U" — Britney Spears | 7 | 7 | N/a | 7 | 21[b] | Safe |
| 4 | Salsa | "Colombia, Mi Encanto" — Carlos Vives | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 33 | No Elimination |
| Viennese waltz | "I Put a Spell on You" — Annie Lennox | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 35 | Safe | |
| 5 | Charleston | "Born to Hand Jive" — Sha Na Na | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 36 | Safe |
| 6 | Tango | "Bad Habits" — Ed Sheeran | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 36 | Bottom Two |
| 7 | Paso doble | "We Will Rock You" — Queen | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 33 | Safe |
| Viennese waltz Relay | "We Are the Champions" — Queen | +1 | 1[c] | |||||
| 8 | Samba | "All for You" — Janet Jackson | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | Safe |
| Salsa Dance-off | "Made for Now" — Janet Jackson featuring Daddy Yankee | Winner | 2[d] | |||||
| 9 | Foxtrot | "Haven't Met You Yet" — Michael Bublé | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 37 | Eliminated |
| Contemporary | "Gravity" — Sara Bareilles | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 38 | ||
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- Due to Derek Hough's absence, scores were given on a 30 point scale.
- Suni and Sasha received one point from Carrie Ann.
- Suni and Sasha were awarded two bonus points for winning the dance-off.
Season 31
Celebrity partner: Selma Blair
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viennese waltz | "The Time of My Life" — David Cook | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Safe |
| 2 | Jive | "Jailhouse Rock" — Elvis Presley | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Safe |
| 3 | Rumba | "For Your Eyes Only" — Sheena Easton | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 | Safe |
| 4 | Quickstep | "The Muppet Show Theme" — Jim Henson & Sam Pottle | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32 | Safe |
| 5 | Waltz | "What the World Needs Now Is Love" — Andra Day | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 | Withdrew |
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
Season 32
Celebrity partner: Alyson Hannigan
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- Alyson and Sasha also received a score of 6 from guest judge Michael Strahan.
- Alyson and Sasha also received a score of 7 from guest judge Niecy Nash-Betts.
- Alyson and Sasha received 2 bonus points from the dance marathon.
- Alyson and Sasha also received a score of 9 from guest judge Paula Abdul.
- The team dance also received a score of 10 from guest judge Paula Abdul.
- Alyson and Sasha also received a score of 9 from guest judge Billy Porter.
- Alyson and Sasha received 3 bonus points for winning the dance-off.
- Alyson and Sasha also received a score of 8 from guest judge Mandy Moore.
- Alyson and Sasha received 3 bonus points for winning the relay.
Season 33
Celebrity partner: Jenn Tran
| Week | Dance | Music | Judges' scores[a] | Total score | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha-cha-cha | "Flowers" — Miley Cyrus | 7 | 6 | 6 | 19 | No Elimination |
| 2 | Tango | "A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)" — Fergie, Q-Tip & GoonRock | 6 | 6 | 7 | 19 | Safe |
| 3 | Viennese waltz | "Fallin'" — Alicia Keys | 8 | 7 | 8 | 31[b] | No Elimination |
| Paso doble | "The Final Countdown" — Europe | 8 | 7 | 8 | 31[c] | Safe | |
| 4 | Foxtrot | "The Archer" — Taylor Swift | 8 | 8 | 8 | 32[d] | Safe |
| 5 | Rumba | "Kiss the Girl" — Samuel E. Wright | 8 | 8 | 8 | 24 | Safe |
| Team Freestyle | "I 2 I" — Tevin Campbell & Rosie Gaines | 9 | 9 | 9 | 27 | ||
| 6 | Contemporary | "Vampire" — Olivia Rodrigo | 10 | 9 | 9 | 28 | Eliminated |
| Jive Dance-off | "Time Warp" — Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, & Richard O'Brien | Winner | 3[e] | ||||
Notes
- Individual judges' scores are listed in the following order: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli.
- Jenn and Sasha also received a score of 8 from guest judge Rosie Perez.
- Jenn and Sasha also received a score of 7 from guest judge Gene Simmons.
- Jenn and Sasha also received a score of 8 from guest judge Mark Ballas
- Jenn and Sasha received 3 bonus points for winning the dance-off.
Personal life
In 2011, Farber entered a relationship with fellow Dancing with the Stars pro Emma Slater. He proposed to her on 4 October 2016 after they performed a contemporary routine to Bruno Mars' "Just the Way You Are" during a results episode on the twenty-third season.[34] The two married on 25 March 2018 in Los Angeles, California,[35] and gained American citizenship together in December 2020.[36] Farber and Slater separated on 1 April 2022 after four years of marriage.[37] Slater filed for divorce in February 2023, citing "irreconcilable differences".[38] Proceedings were finalised on 16 May 2024.[39]
Farber was in a year-long relationship with television personality Jenn Tran, whom he was partnered with on the thirty-third season of Dancing with the Stars.[40][41] As of April 2026, Farber is in a relationship with actress and musician Janel Parrish.[42]