Dancing with the Stars Pros Emma Slater and Alan Bersten break their silence on ‘bad energy’ rumours — and reveal what really happens behind the scenes

For Dancing With the Stars fans, few things cause as much of a stir as claims of drama inside the rehearsal room. So when former contestants recently suggested that Emma Slater and Alan Bersten sometimes brought “bad energy” to the studio, the rumour spread fast. Now the long-time pros are addressing the rumours- and they’re sharing the truth in a clear, simple way.

( Image credit : Instagram| @alanbersten| DWTS pros respond to rehearsal room drama claims )

Speaking on the Out of the Chair podcast, Slater and Bersten didn’t bother dancing around the issue. Instead, they shut it down with a mix of humour and straight-talk. “If a celebrity thinks we’re being tough, it’s usually because we’re trying to get the best possible performance out of them,” Slater said, noting that frustration on set is often misinterpreted as tension. Bersten added, “People forget we’re teaching a full dance routine in a week. It’s intense- but it’s never personal.”

( Image credit : Instagram| @theemmaslater| Emma & Alan shut down DWTS ‘bad energy’ rumours )

The pair insist that what viewers see on camera is only a small slice of their real relationship with celebrity contestants. Most rehearsals, they say, are filled with laughter, trial-and-error, and genuine teamwork. “Every celeb has their own way of coping with pressure,” Slater explained. “Sometimes they project nerves onto us- which I totally understand.”

Inside the DWTS machine: What viewers don’t see

Slater and Bersten’s comments have reignited interest in how the show actually works off-camera- a world far more demanding (and far more chaotic) than the glittering ballroom suggests.

For starters, celebrities are thrown head-first into a demanding training schedule. Most rehearse four to five hours a day, then go home to study videos, practise footwork, and learn choreography tweaks sent by their pros late at night. As Bersten put it, “You live and breathe your routine for seven straight days- all to perform it once.”

( Image credit : Instagram| @theemmaslater| Emma Slater and Alan Bersten break their silence )

The pros have just as much on their plates. Not only do they choreograph routines from scratch, they also adapt them to match their partners’ strengths, stamina and even injuries. It’s a creative job, but a logistical puzzle, too. “You can’t give a tricky lift to someone whose back is already sore,” Slater shared. “Everything we do has to be safe, achievable, and still entertaining.”

Then there’s the decision everyone loves to debate: pairings. While fans often imagine pros hand-picking their celebrity partners, Slater revealed that it’s actually the producers who match personalities, schedules, and skill levels. The final combinations are shaped by chemistry tests, height compatibility, and what makes for good television. “We only find out right before the cast reveal,” she said.

( Image credit : Instagram| @theemmaslater| Emma Slater & Alan Bersten light up the moment )

Costuming is another whirlwind entirely. Each look-sequins, feathers, crystals and all, is designed and fitted within days. Many costumes are hand-sewn overnight to adjust lengths, add sparkle, or secure fastenings for tricky lifts. “The wardrobe team are magicians,” Bersten joked. “They make miracles happen with no sleep.”

Why the pros say the ‘bad energy’ rumour doesn’t hold up

Despite the pressure cooker environment, both pros insist they do everything possible to keep rehearsals uplifting. They point to long-standing friendships with past contestants, emotional post-show messages from celebrities, and the sheer joy many leave with. “People say the show changes their life,” Slater said. “You don’t get comments like that if the rehearsal room is toxic.” Bersten agreed, adding, “Celebrities see us at our most stressed- but also our most supportive. We want them to succeed more than anyone.”

( Image credit : Instagram| @theemmaslater| Emma Slater and Alan Bersten looking radiant together )

And while social media loves a dramatic rumour, Slater says that most of the so-called “tension” is simply the reality of two people trying to perfect a performance in record time. “It’s passion, not negativity. If we didn’t care, that would be the real problem.” As the pair move past the chatter, they’re focused on what they do best- delivering show-stopping routines, pushing their partners to their limit, and keeping the ballroom as thrilling as ever.

After all, behind every glittering DWTS performance is a week’s worth of sweat, stress, storytelling… and yes, a little sparkle.