Alan Bersten and Emma Slater’s Relationship: Everything to Know About the DWTS Power Couple
Dancing With the Stars has always been a place where sparks fly on and off the dance floor, and among the show’s most beloved couples are Alan Bersten and Emma Slater. The two professional dancers have captured the hearts of fans with their undeniable chemistry—both in their choreography and in their growing romance. While the couple has been relatively private about the early days of their relationship, their affection for one another has become increasingly impossible to ignore, delighting fans who have followed their journey from the studio to social media and beyond.
Who Are Alan Bersten and Emma Slater?
Alan Bersten and Emma Slater are both accomplished professional ballroom dancers who have made names for themselves on the Dancing With the Stars stage. With years of experience competing at the highest level, the pair bring a level of skill and trust to their performances that only comes from deep professional rapport—and, as fans have come to learn, a genuine personal connection as well. Their off-stage relationship has become one of the most talked-about love stories in the world of competitive dance.
The Timeline of Their Public Romance
While the exact origins of Alan and Emma’s relationship have remained somewhat under wraps, their romance has steadily moved into the public eye over the past couple of years.
October 2024
An Us Weekly source reported that Alan and Emma were “hooking up,” but was careful to clarify that their romance was “not new, it’s ongoing.” This confirmed what many fans had suspected—that the couple had been quietly growing closer for some time.
April 2025
The couple made a stunning announcement to fans in attendance at the final night of the DWTS: Live! 2025 tour with a surprise kiss on stage, effectively confirming their relationship to the world. Speaking with Us Weekly days later, Alan admitted he was “a little bit” surprised by the online reaction. “It was an incredible tour and I’m sad that it came to an end, but also there are so many good moments,” he reflected.
May 2025
Fresh off their tour finale, the lovebirds escaped to Hawaii for a romantic couples’ getaway. Alan shared photos from their trip on Instagram, captioning images from Kauai with, “Our first few days in Kauai! Truly unbelievable this is what happiness looks like to me.” Kayaking adventures and visits to breathtaking waterfalls seemed to solidify their status as one of the happiest couples in the entertainment world.
July 2025
The summer months brought an avalanche of adorable social media moments. Fans were treated to endless photos of Emma and Alan sharing kisses on Instagram, and later in the month, Alan posted shirtless photos plantingly kissing Emma—prompting fans to quip that they were looking “respectfully.”
November 2025
The couple returned to the Dancing With the Stars set for new seasons, proving that their romance only enhanced their professional synergy. Emma shared a playful photo of the two kissing in their dance costumes with a hilarious caption: “Forever grateful for your love and for the person who look this photo of you kissing me with your eyes open! @alanbersten.” Even on the competitive floor, their affection was on full display.
February 2026
Alan and Emma opened up about their iconic kiss in a candid Us Weekly interview, revealing the sweet behind-the-scenes story. “Last year on the last show of the Dancing With the Stars Live tour, I was like, ‘I’m gonna kiss her. I’m gonna do it on stage,'” Alan said. “I asked her beforehand, because I was pretty scared.” The fact that he sought consent before the very public smooch only endeared the couple further to their fanbase.
The pair also discussed what excites them most about their future together. Alan shared, “Honestly, I think for me, it’s [making more] memories. It’s just moments. Obviously, I love dancing together. I think it’s just creating those personal moments together and the privacy. We get to dance together, which is incredible to share these moments on stage. But one of my favorite things [was going] to Hawaii last year and just [being] off the grid for days.” Emma echoed the sentiment: “I feel like I’m touring with my confidant, someone I can really rely on. I love being able to have chats with him and just work with him.”
May 2026
Emma celebrated Alan’s birthday with a lengthy, heartfelt tribute that had fans reaching for the tissues. “Happy birthday Alan! This first photo was taken on your 21st birthday and now you’re 32! I’m so proud of you. By far the most impressive thing you’ve done is been able to secure me as your girlfriend, but there are definitely some other notable achievements in there so congratulations on that ,” she wrote before getting emotional: “Seriously, you are a pure soul and my favorite thing to do is to laugh with you. I hope we get to do more of that throughout our lives together.” Alan responded in the comments, “I love you baby! My greatest achievement,” reinforcing the genuine devotion between them.
Behind the Scenes: How They Navigate Competing Together
One question that fans frequently ask is how Alan and Emma manage to maintain a healthy relationship while also competing against each other on DWTS. In a revealing interview with E! News in September 2026, Emma provided some insight into their unique dynamic.
“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. You have a support. You have a team member who knows how to go through this, ’cause this is a crazy world. So it’s very helpful.”
— Emma Slater speaking to E! News
Their approach highlights a rare level of mutual respect and professional generosity that sets them apart from many celebrity couples in the entertainment industry.
Life Off the Dance Floor
When they’re not preparing for the show, Alan and Emma fill their time with travel and adventure. The couple recreated a photo shoot from their DWTS days from a decade ago, proving that their chemistry only deepened with time. They also explored New York City on bikes, soaking in the sights during a quick getaway.
Alan later shared a roundup of their summer adventures, revealing that the couple had visited several European cities during their downtime—a testament to the fact that their relationship extends far beyond the studio.
And let’s not forget their beloved pup, Jeff, who Emma described as a constant source of joy: “He brings a smile to my face.” It’s clear that this couple has built a life filled with love, laughter, adventure, and, of course, plenty of dance.
What’s Next for Alan and Emma?
As Dancing With the Stars continues to evolve, fans can look forward to seeing more of Alan and Emma—both as competitors and as one of the show’s most beloved real-life couples. Whether they’re sharing tender birthday tributes, posting PDA-packed Instagram photos, or supporting each other through the challenges of the competition, one thing is certain: the Bersten-Slater love story is one that fans will be following for years to come.
Alan’s heartfelt description of Emma as a “super caring” person who “makes me a much better person” captures the essence of what makes their relationship so special. As fans continue to celebrate their journey, it’s clear that this couple is proof that love and partnership can thrive—even in the high-pressure world of competitive dance.
Entertainment, Celebrity Relationships, Dancing With the Stars, Alan Bersten, Emma Slater, DWTS, Television, People, Sports, Travel
