Brooks Nader Allegedly Avoids Estranged Husband at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Party

Brooks Nader did not leave any chance for awkward small talk with her ex-husband at a party!

According to reports, the Sports Illustrated model made sure to keep her distance from Billy Haire during a party shortly after they had completed their divorce settlement.

Brooks Nader and her estranged husband separated last May after five years as a married couple who tied the knot in a lavish New Orleans wedding.

Nader managed to handle a run-in with her ex-husband at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Launch Party in New York City soon after their divorce was finalized.

Despite both being at the same event, they did not talk to each other. A source mentioned that Nader’s sister greeted Haire, but Nader herself opted not to interact with him.

Despite having her ex nearby, the 28-year-old model and “Dancing with the Stars” alum exuded confidence throughout the evening. 

An insider shared that it is a time of year Nader loves, as she has been involved with the magazine for quite some time and feels empowered being among the remarkable women featured in Sports Illustrated.

The source speculated that Haire might have felt uncomfortable at an event where Nader was prominently celebrated. Additionally, a second source highlighted the joyful atmosphere among Nader and her sisters, noting they were very chatty and happy. 

On the red carpet, Nader also expressed to Page Six that she feels better than ever in her new single chapter, remarking, “I feel a lot more myself this year,” and that she has embraced her identity as “Brooks.”

Nader and Haire officially announced their divorce after spending several months apart, as confirmed by a representative in a statement to PEOPLE. They emphasized that the split is amicable.

The insider also noted that while both individuals are remarkable in their own right, they have chosen to go their separate ways, acknowledging that maintaining a relationship can be challenging.

The couple tied the knot in December 2019 in New Orleans, celebrating their love with 330 guests. At the time, Nader was 22 and Haire, who works in advertising, was 33.

Leading up to their wedding, the model expressed her excitement about calling Haire “hubby” and shared her hopes for their future adventures together.

She described their wedding as “chic and modern with a romantic twist and a New Orleans flair.” Nader also emphasized her love for flowers and hoped to have a lot of them at the wedding. In her words:

“Flowers are everything for me so I am hoping they will help set the vibe. I grew up in Louisiana and went to college in New Orleans for two years and love everything about the city. We will have some fun New Orleans traditions incorporated, like a line parade after the ceremony. It’s a staple for New Orleans weddings.”

The model is very well established in her single era on all fronts. Nader and her former partner, Glab Savchenko, officially ended their relationship last month following a history of on-again, off-again romance and persistent engagement rumors. 

According to The Blast, sources revealed that the split occurred last month, though it is unclear if the two are still on friendly terms or even in contact.

The breakup seemed surprising, especially since Nader shared a lighthearted TikTok video playfully teasing Savchenko about his admiration for her outfit just five days prior.

Since the split, she has not updated her TikTok and still has two videos featuring them pinned to her profile. Their relationship had been tumultuous, particularly during last year’s “Dancing with the Stars,” where they eventually confirmed their romance after the show’s conclusion.

Although they had faced speculation about an engagement, they dismissed those rumors at the time. In light of their recent breakup, sources shared that it may be a relief they were not planning to marry, as their relationship often appeared more like an intense fling than a stable partnership.

Last December, the former couple made headlines when Emma Slater shared a TikTok video hinting at their burgeoning romance. The video featured an intimate moment between Nader and Savchenko, her fellow “Dancing with the Stars” co-stars.

The pair, who had previously been eliminated from the show, were captured backstage in a passionate embrace, with Nader wrapping her legs around Savchenko as they exchanged kisses.

Their playful moment was interrupted when Nader noticed Slater filming and quickly jumped down, looking surprised. However, she maintained her hold on Savchenko, who affectionately returned her embrace.