Watch: Dancing With the Stars’ Emma Slater Reacts to Judges’ “Stingy” Scores on Premiere Episode
Emma Slater is always in step with AlanBersten.
That’s why Slater and her boyfriend of over a year don’t have any problem competing against each other on the Dancing With the Stars‘ 35th season, in which she’s partnered with Savannah Bananas player JacksonOlson while Bersten tears it up withcelebrity chefGiadaDe Laurentiis.
“It’s actually really helpful,” Slater exclusively told E! News’Will Marfuggi after the Sept. 15 premiere. “We’ll watch each other’s videos, we’ll help each other choreograph, we’ll ask each other’s opinion, and we always come from a really honest, ‘let me help you’ place.”
Andthe 37-year-old—who was previously married to DWTS pro Sasha Farber from 2018 until their divorce was finalized in 2024—is not just grateful to have Bersten’s help with her routines, but also to have someone by her side who knows exactly how stressful the experience can be.
“You have a support,” Slater explained. “You have a team member who knows how to go through this, ‘cause this is a crazy world. So it’s very helpful.”
Slater and Bersten, 32,first debuted their romance when they kissed onstage during the DWTS live tour in 2025. And, to hear Bersten tell it, it was just a matter of time until the two danced their way to each other.
”It’s one of those things where you just look and you’re like, ‘Why haven’t we?'” he told E! News during a joint interview with Slater in June. “And then it’s just been so special.”
Disney/Ser Baffo
Slater—who joked it was her “cha-cha moves” that caught his eye—chimed in, saying, “We’ve always been really good friends, and now we have a great relationship. It feels really good.”
Of course, maintaining a blossoming relationship also means balancing their busy schedules, which Bersten confessed does take a bit of extra work.
“We get to travel a lot,” he shared. “And we try to enjoy the cities and the moments, the dinners and just our little dog Jeff as much as we can. And that’s what really grounds me.”
Slater added, “If you find enjoyment in that and you’re able to support each other whilst doing seemingly stressful things, it’s not so stressful.”
For a look at all the stars competing on this season of Dancing With the Stars, keep reading.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Disney/Andrew Eccles
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