"A little bit different now": 'Dancing With The Stars' Emma Slater reflects on the show's growing popularity and getting recognized more often

Dancing With The Stars’ pro dancers Emma Slater and Alan Bersten appeared on the House of Maher podcast, which aired on December 2, 2025. Hosted by Ilona, Olivia, and Adrianna Maher, fans must remember that Ilona was partnered with Alan Bersten on the show’s season 33.

She and Alan were DWTS season 33’s runner-up pair. During the podcast, Emma Slater talked about the show’s popularity and how fans keep finding them every now and then.

While Alan recalled going to a Mixology place during the show’s previous seasons, Emma noted that it was great. She missed when dancers, celebrities, and producers all used to celebrate together.

"And it was really great. I miss those times. And I also like it when we go on tour, and we get to do that too. But I mean, it's a little bit different now. Because the show is so popular. So, you know, we might have too.....," shared Emma Slater.

Dancing With The Stars: Emma Slater talks about being on DWTS, the show's popularity, being with Alan Bersten, and more

Emma Slater and Alan Bersten recalled the times when everyone from the ABC show used to spend time together. The two also shared a few places where they all met and celebrated with fellow cast members and pro dancers.

"So years ago, way before COVID, after the show, do you remember there was at the Grove, there used to be a place called Mixology. It shut down. And they would like, host us, and everyone would go. All the dancers, all the producers, all the celebrities, everything was free," said Alan.

The place used to air the LA version of the show, and everyone enjoyed their time together. However, Alan added that they stopped doing that. Emma mentioned that she missed it and talked about how it felt going on various tours. But she also noted that it had been different now from those old times. It was because Dancing With The Stars had gotten “so popular” now.

Owing to the popularity and being recognized everywhere, Alan noted that they couldn’t go anywhere, not even walk down the street.

"I think it's when we're on tour, people know we're there, and they're (fans) like, looking for us, which is great. Like, we don't have any problem saying hi to everyone. But it's when they're like, Oh, Dancing With The Stars is here. Let's find them," shared Emma.

Alan talked about LA feeling different from the rest of America. He said that in New York, people went to bars all the time. They talked about how it was easier to walk in New York, but it was not the same in LA.

Later, when they talked about Emma drinking too much tea, Alan added:

"I'm just going to say Emma drinks tea like a British person with milk in it."

However, the hosts noted that they also take milk with tea. But Alan noted that tea was just tea, but without milk.

While discussing Alan holding Emma’s purse and which side of the road he would walk, he revealed:

"Let's just admit one thing. I open the door for Emma every single time."

He also talked about helping her through stairs and car doors.

Further in the podcast, they talked about how great of a dancer Elaine Hendrix was on Dancing With The Stars. Alan was paired with Elaine in the recently concluded DWTS season. The pro dancer also talked about being an introverted extrovert and being shy of the camera.

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