If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or X (formerly Twitter) lately, you’ve probably seen the clips. Alan Bersten, the high-energy pro with the megawatt smile, usually finds himself at the center of the "shipping" cyclone every single season of Dancing with the Stars. It’s a bit of a ballroom tradition at this point. One minute he’s linked to a Bachelorette, the next people are dissecting his Instagram captions for clues about his personal life.
Naturally, the internet does what it does best: it asks questions. Specifically, is Alan from DWTS gay, or is he just a really good partner who isn't afraid of a little vulnerability?
The short answer is no, Alan Bersten is not gay. But the long answer is way more interesting because it involves a "hard launch" that actually broke the DWTS corner of the internet in 2025 and a surprisingly supportive ex-husband in the mix.
The Relationship That Finally Set the Record Straight
For years, Alan was the resident bachelor of the ballroom. He had a brief, highly publicized romance with his Season 27 partner, Alexis Ren, back in 2018. It was cute, it was intense, and it lasted about five minutes after the cameras stopped rolling. Then came the Hannah Brown rumors. Fans were convinced they were a thing, but they both stuck to the "just friends" script until the very end.
But everything changed in April 2025.
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During the final night of the DWTS: Live! tour in Rosemont, Illinois, Alan and fellow pro Emma Slater stopped their routine mid-dance to share a massive, unscripted kiss. The crowd went wild. It wasn’t a "for the show" kiss; it was a "we’re tired of hiding this" kiss.
Honestly, the "hard launch" was a relief for fans who had been tracking their chemistry for months. Emma had divorced Sasha Farber in 2023, and while there were whispers that she and Alan were "hooking up" as early as late 2024, the tour kiss made it official. Since then, they’ve been inseparable. Alan even recently called her "my girl" on social media, while Emma proudly posted about her "boyfriend" making the finals with Elaine Hendrix in Season 34.
Why Do the Rumors Persist?
So, if he’s clearly dating Emma Slater, why do people still search is Alan from DWTS gay?
It basically boils down to a few things:
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- The "Kiss Cam" Incident: In December 2025, Alan, Emma, and Season 34 contestant Andy Richter went to an LA Kings game. They got caught on the Jumbotron's Kiss Cam. After Alan and Emma kissed, Andy tapped Alan on the shoulder, and the two guys shared a hilarious, theatrical smooch for the fans. It was a joke, but in the world of viral snippets, it definitely fueled some confused Google searches.
- The Nature of Ballroom: Let’s be real—professional ballroom dancing is theatrical. It requires a level of physical intimacy and emotional openness that sometimes gets misread by viewers who aren't used to seeing men express themselves that way.
- The Private Years: Before Emma, Alan was incredibly tight-lipped about his private life. When a celebrity is single for a long time in the public eye, rumors often fill the vacuum.
The Sasha Farber Factor
One of the most human parts of this whole story is how Alan’s relationship with Emma has been handled within the DWTS family. In a world where reality TV usually thrives on drama and bitterness, the dynamic here is shockingly mature.
Sasha Farber, Emma’s ex-husband, hasn't just been "okay" with it; he’s been actively supportive. When Emma posted a PDA-filled tribute to Alan in late 2025, Sasha commented, "Congrats guys 👏." It’s rare to see that kind of grace in Hollywood. It also proves that there’s no "scandal" here—just a group of adults navigating a very small, very specific professional circle.
Making Sense of the Noise
When you look at the facts, Alan’s dating history is pretty much a "Who’s Who" of the ballroom world. Before Emma and Alexis Ren, he was briefly linked to Hayley Erbert (who is now married to Derek Hough) and even Paige VanZant way back in the day.
He’s a guy who clearly finds love where he spends 90% of his time: on the dance floor.
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While the internet will likely keep speculating—because that’s just what the internet does—Alan seems more settled now than he’s ever been. He’s gone from the "troupe guy" to a Mirrorball champion to one half of the show’s most popular "pro-mance."
Actionable Insights for DWTS Fans
If you want to keep up with what’s actually happening with Alan and the rest of the cast without getting lost in the rumor mill, here’s what to do:
- Follow the "House of Maher" Podcast: Alan’s former partner Ilona Maher often gets the real tea directly from him. That’s where he and Emma actually discussed the nerves behind their public reveal.
- Check the "Pro" Socials over the Tabloids: The DWTS pros are surprisingly transparent on Instagram Stories. If Alan and Emma are hitting a milestone or dealing with a rumor, they usually address it there first.
- Distinguish Performance from Reality: Remember that a "steamy" contemporary routine is literally choreography. Most of the "is he gay" or "are they dating" rumors start because a pro is doing their job well by selling a story.
Keep an eye on the upcoming Season 35 announcements. Now that Alan and Emma are public, their "rivalry" on the dance floor is going to be a major storyline to watch.