DWTS’ Gleb Savchenko Seemingly Shades Ex Brooks Nader (Exclusive)

Gleb Savchenko is ready for a new chapter.

The full cast of Dancing with the Stars season 34 was announced on Wednesday, Sept. 3, where it was revealed that the longtime pro, 41, is paired with Hilaria Baldwin. After his tumultuous breakup with his partner from last season, Brooks Nader, Savchenko tells PEOPLE about his hopes for this season.

“I’m most looking forward to just enjoying work and dance,” he explains. “Finally I have a partner that I can go out there and dance [with] and really enjoy and not try to figure out the routine of like, ‘Okay let me just hide all of your minuses and bring out the pluses.’”

“We can actually go out there and create something,” he continues. “I can create something that will be hopefully an incredible routine and tell the story through dance. That’s what I’m all about and that’s what Hilaria brings to the floor.”

Savchenko praises Baldwin for her commitment to the role, adding that she’s “all about the craft and the performance and hard work.”

“We have the same goal, same vision,” he says.

Savchenko’s mission is to make it to the finale so he can choreograph a freestyle, but he notes that his biggest priority is for him and Baldwin to “have fun and just enjoy the process.”

“Zero drama,” he later quips.

“No drama,” the mom of seven agrees. “Zero drama. Only fun, good vibes.”

Last year, Savchenko started dating Nader, 28, shortly after beginning DWTS rehearsals but they broke up in April when the model accused Savchenko of cheating.

At the time, the dancer denied Nader’s allegations, telling E! News that he was loyal throughout their relationship.

“I’m not a cheater,” he told the outlet. “I’m actually a family guy. I’m a relationship guy. I’m not a f— boy who goes around and goes on all these dates. I’m not even on dating apps.”

He also called the split “really upsetting” and something “that broke my heart.”

Nader recently claimed that she had “proof” Savchenko is a “cheater” in her new reality show, Love Thy Nader.

In response to her allegations, Savchenko posted a TikTok of himself lip-syncing to an audio that says, “I don’t know where you got your information from, I don’t know who your source is, but I will be the first one to tell you that is incorrect.”

He captioned the post, “Your ‘source’ needs a refund… because that story? 100% fake.”

In the comment section, he seemingly indicated that he was fired from DWTS ahead of season 34. When one user wrote, “can’t wait to see you on my TV again in September!” Savchenko replied, “Afraid you won’t.”

“Clock it. giving that flop reality show zero attention,” another comment read, to which Savchenko said, “14 years of loyalty, erased by someone’s lie.”

That ultimately proved not to be true as his return to the popular competition series was confirmed in the Sept. 3 cast reveal.

Savchenko has been competing on the show for the last 10 seasons. In the past, he was paired with Mira Sorvino, Shangela, Chrishell Stause, Nikki Glaser, Erika Jayne, Jana Kramer and Lisa Vanderpump, among other stars.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Dancing with the Stars season 34 premieres Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and simulcast on Disney+. The show streams the next day on Hulu.