Dancing With the Stars’ Emma Slater Reacts to Judges’ “Stingy” Scores on Premiere Episode
Emma Slater is always in step with Alan Bersten.
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 Jackson Olson while Bersten tears it up with celebrity chef Giada De 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.”
And the 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
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
You won’t hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
Cha-cha-chopping away… The celebrity chef will be turning up the heat this season.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
What did you miss on Glee? The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
The former ’90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Twenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
The 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
After sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
The comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
The Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
The Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
The Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom.
“Looks are not indicative of being in shape,” Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. “I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina.”
Disney/Andrew Eccles
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
The Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn’t betray her as she manifested this experience.
“I have a vision board and I redo it every year,” she told E! News in May. “This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year’s Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board.”
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