Dancing With the Stars Emma Slater Reacts to Judges Stingy Scores on Premiere Episode

The glittering ballroom of Dancing With the Stars has officially reopened its doors for an anticipated milestone, launching its landmark 35th season with an eclectic mix of celebrity contestants, high-energy routines, and the inevitable early-season tension between the celebrity competitors and the judging panel. Among the seasoned professionals gracing the dance floor this season is Emma Slater, a staple of the hit ABC reality competition series, who found herself navigating not only the unique dynamics of competing alongside her romantic partner, fellow pro Alan Bersten, but also the harsh reality of the judges’ notoriously strict scoring during the opening week.

As the September 15 premiere broadcast concluded, professional dancers and their celebrity charges were left to digest their placements on the leaderboard. For Slater, who is partnered this season with Savannah Bananas baseball star Jackson Olson, the evening brought immediate challenges, most notably the exacting standards of the judges. Speaking exclusively to E! News correspondent Will Marfuggi shortly after the live broadcast, Slater offered a candid reaction to the evening’s scoring, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the ballroom that the panel’s paddles were remarkably restrained for an opening night. While early-season episodes typically lean toward encouragement, the judges signaled zero tolerance for missteps, dishing out numbers that left multiple couples scrambling to recalibrate their strategies for the weeks ahead.

Navigating Romance and Rivalry in the Ballroom

Beyond the pressure of the competition, Slater’s journey this season is defined by a unique personal dynamic. The 37-year-old professional dancer has been in a relationship with fellow DWTS pro Alan Bersten for over a year. The couple officially debuted their romance in early 2025, surprising and delighting franchise fans when they shared a spontaneous onstage kiss during the Dancing With the Stars live tour. For Bersten, who is paired with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis for Season 35, the transition from colleagues to romantic partners has been a seamless integration of their demanding professional lives.

During a joint interview earlier in the year, Bersten reflected on the organic progression of their relationship, noting how natural the shift felt given their long-standing history as friends and colleagues within the rigorous dance troupe. Slater humorously attributed his initial attraction to her signature "cha-cha moves," emphasizing that their mutual respect and deep-rooted friendship have laid a resilient foundation for their romance.

However, competing on the same television program presents logistical and emotional hurdles that few couples ever have to navigate. Rather than fostering unhealthy competition, Slater and Bersten have leveraged their shared profession to create an internal support system. In her post-premiere interview, Slater elaborated on how beneficial it is to have a partner who intimately understands the high-stakes, high-stress environment of a reality television dance competition.

"It’s actually really helpful," Slater told E! News. "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."

This collaborative approach extends far beyond casual advice. In a grueling entertainment ecosystem where grueling twelve-hour rehearsal days, physical injuries, and public scrutiny are standard, having a domestic partner experiencing the exact same professional timeline provides a vital psychological anchor. Slater noted that having someone who genuinely understands how to survive the "crazy world" of the production transforms an isolating experience into a shared journey.

Behind the Scenes of a Landmark Season

Season 35 marks a significant milestone for Dancing With the Stars, cementing its status as one of the enduring pillars of American reality television. Over nearly two decades on the air, the franchise has continually evolved, adapting its casting strategies to capture cultural zeitgeists by recruiting talent from sports, social media, culinary arts, cinema, and music.

The roster for the milestone season reflects this diverse casting philosophy. Alongside Slater’s partner Jackson Olson—who brings the viral energy of the Savannah Bananas exhibition baseball team to the ballroom—the competition features an array of high-profile names. Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis is paired with Alan Bersten, while Hollywood steps up with veteran actress Julia Stiles dancing alongside Ezra Sosa, and Glee star and musical theater talent Harry Shum Jr. partnering with Jenna Johnson.

Music and television history are heavily represented this year as well. Former teen heartthrob Taylor Hanson of the band Hanson is paired with Britt Stewart, while 90s television icon Tatyana Ali joins Jan Ravnik. Reality television and social media culture also command a prominent footprint on the cast list. Names such as Connor Wood, known to millions online as Fibula, and Conner Leavitt of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fame highlight the show’s ongoing commitment to bridging traditional television with digital-first stardom. Meanwhile, elite athleticism is represented by 2026 Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn and Team USA Paralympic track and field standout Ezra Frech, showcasing a diverse spectrum of physical capability and discipline under the guidance of professional partners Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach.

For Slater, mentoring an athlete like Jackson Olson requires translating the kinetic, high-octane environment of a baseball diamond into the precise, rhythmic footwork of ballroom dance. Olson’s background in professional sports offers a distinct advantage in terms of physical conditioning and spatial awareness, yet transitioning from the turf to the hardwood floor demands an entirely different type of neuromuscular coordination—a challenge that Slater must carefully manage under the watchful eyes of the judging panel.

Balancing Demanding Schedules and Personal Grounding

Maintaining a high-profile romantic relationship while both individuals are contracted as lead professionals on a top-tier network television series requires meticulous time management. Bersten acknowledged that balancing the intense production schedules of Dancing With the Stars with their personal lives demands deliberate effort. Despite the chaos of rehearsal spaces, camera blockings, and live broadcasts, the couple prioritizes maintaining a sense of normalcy outside the studio.

"We get to travel a lot," Bersten shared, highlighting the balance they strive to maintain. "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 echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that perspective is key to surviving the relentless pace of the entertainment industry. "If you find enjoyment in that and you’re able to support each other whilst doing seemingly stressful things, it’s not so stressful," she noted.

This mutual grounding is particularly poignant given Slater’s history within the franchise. The dancer was previously married to fellow DWTS professional Sasha Farber. The two tied the knot in 2018 before separating, with their divorce finalized in 2024. Despite the personal transition, both Slater and Farber have maintained a cordial professional working relationship within the show’s tight-knit company of dancers, demonstrating a high degree of maturity that has allowed Slater to seamlessly move forward both personally and professionally.

Chronology and Evolution of the Professional Cast

The interpersonal dynamics among the professional cast have always been a secondary storyline for dedicated viewers of Dancing With the Stars, often rivaling the main competition in terms of fan engagement. The show’s ability to retain veteran talent like Slater—who joined the franchise in Season 17—while continuously introducing fresh perspectives ensures continuity and institutional memory within the troupe.

As Season 35 progresses past its opening week, the implications of the judges’ early-season toughness will begin to shape the tactical decisions made in the rehearsal studios. With scores tightly clustered during the premiere, couples who received lower-than-expected marks face immediate pressure to elevate their technical execution, refine their musicality, and establish a deeper connection with the voting public.

For Slater and Olson, the path forward requires addressing the judges’ early critiques directly while capitalizing on the athletic enthusiasm that Olson brings to the partnership. Simultaneously, Slater and Bersten will continue to balance their individual competitive drives with their shared life outside the studio, proving that romance can indeed flourish under the blinding lights of primetime television.

As the competition intensifies in the coming weeks, the partnership between Slater and Olson will be tested not only by the physical demands of the routines but by the shifting landscape of viewer votes and judges’ expectations. With a robust support system at home and years of professional experience navigating the unpredictable nature of the ballroom, Emma Slater remains firmly in step—both with her celebrity partner on the dance floor and her partner in life behind the scenes.