Alan Bersten & Emma Slater: DWTS Finale, Hard Launch & Holiday Traditions

Summary

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House of Maher Podcast

Episode: Alan Bersten & Emma Slater: DWTS Finale, Hard Launch & Holiday Traditions

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: Ilona Maher with sisters Olivia and Adrianna
Guests: Alan Bersten & Emma Slater (Dancing with the Stars pros, Mirrorball champs, and now a confirmed couple)

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Episode Overview

This festive episode of House of Maher is a conversational deep-dive into Dancing with the Stars’ finale week, the intricacies of working and dating as pro dancers, the differences in British/American culture, relationship “hard launch,” the role of social media, content creation, holiday traditions, and the chemistry and banter between Alan Bersten and Emma Slater. Ilona and her co-hosts also sprinkle in family memories, holiday “naughty list” commentary, and plenty of comic moments.

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Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. DWTS Finale Week Prep & Dance Reflections

Timestamps: 03:21–07:05; 18:19–24:53

• The episode is recorded just before the DWTS Season Finale, with Alan prepping for his big performance, and Emma supporting as both a partner and choreographer.
• The unique stress and excitement of finale week:

  “Double finale. Turn it up, back to back.” — Alan (03:37)
  “For some reason this season, it's like, oh, we made the finale. Just enjoy it.” — Emma (03:51)

• The new twist this season: instant dances.

  “They're doing instant dance in the finale... you have to prepare four dances and then you don't know which one you do until it's live.” — Emma (03:33)

• The creative process for choreography, balancing high-stress environments with fun and collaboration.

2. Dance Partnership, Choreography, and Social Media Mastery

Timestamps: 18:19–24:53; 28:23–33:38

• Alan and Emma discuss the nuances of teaching and choreography, stressing vulnerability, humor, and allowing their dance partners to own the spotlight.
• The shift in DWTS towards personality-driven, authentic social media content, largely inspired by Ilona’s own viral season:

  “You really changed the game for the show...we really made [social media] the forefront of the season last year.” — Alan (18:50)

• Emma’s viral TikToks with Andy and the process of helping each other out:

  “This season with Andy...he had 12 followers...now he has over 100,000. He was game for everything.” — Emma (20:36)

• The necessity (and humorous reluctance) to add TikTok trends on top of learning intense dances:

  “So you're telling me you had to learn two dances—you also learned a TikTok dance. Couldn't be me.” — Ilona (33:05)

3. Cultural Differences: American vs. British & Holiday Traditions

Timestamps: 06:28–17:16; 53:55–61:58

• Alan and Emma reflect on the fast-paced, “turnover” American dining experience vs. the leisurely meals and pub culture in Europe.

  “In Europe, especially for dinner, it can take, like, three hours. But over here, if you've got someone looking at the watch... Don't you want to digest your food?” — Alan (07:27) “I like when it all comes out. Don't course it all. Bring it all at once, and then I'll take my time.” — Emma (08:06)

• Fond memories of DWTS cast hangouts after shows—now harder with fame and security.
• The Maher family’s Dutch roots, Sinterklaas (with chocolate initials!), and the origin of coal on the naughty list.
• Holiday celebrations: Alan’s Christmas Day birthday, advent calendars in the UK, balancing time with families in England, Minnesota, and contemplating warm getaways.

4. The Relationship “Hard Launch” and Navigating Public vs. Private Love

Timestamps: 49:06–54:36

• The viral on-stage kiss and Instagram reveal:

  “You got to just kiss her on stage, dude.” — Ilona (49:15)
  “We keep things private...I wanna kiss you. Are you okay with it?... During the dance, I was like, we’re doing it. And then I did it. We were both like, oh God, we did it.” — Alan & Emma (49:50–50:16)

• The decision to go public as a couple, liberating but nerve-wracking:

  “The second we went public, it was like, oh, nothing else matters...we just popped that illusion which was that everybody hates us...You can choose to own the life that you're living.” — Emma (51:52)

• Relationship dynamics on tour and in daily life—joys of working together, learning to balance work-talk at home.

5. Mutual Support: Collaboration at Work and in Life

Timestamps: 34:17–44:39

• Alan and Emma detail how they help each other with choreography and partner training, especially when one is eliminated from DWTS and can become full-time support.
• The healthy, supportive culture among DWTS pros, contrasted with tabloid rumors of backstage conflict.
• Communication, dealing with conflict, and processing emotions differently:

  “Men like to try to solve things, and women just like to talk...Now I ask, do you want me to help or do you want me to just listen?” — Emma (44:39–44:58)

6. Personality, Banter, and What They Love About Each Other

Timestamps: 63:20–68:48

• Lighthearted takes on the best and worst of each other, from Alan’s “alien look” going viral to Emma’s “butt” getting repeated praise.

  “The thing I love most about Emma is—have you seen her?...she really wants me to be a better person.” — Alan (64:45) “What I love most about Alan is we are very different, and I need someone who is so practical...I love his humor...I love the fact that he really does show affection and takes care of me. I love his heart...even when he hides it.” — Emma (63:27)

• Banter about household chores, TikTok trends, and future plans to dance more together.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the stress and joy of DWTS finale week:

“For some reason this season is just like, oh, we made the finale. Just enjoy it.” — Emma (03:51)

On partner support and being in the background:

“I'm totally okay in the background.” — Alan (29:02)
“You highlighted me at many dances by putting me up there. I think it's really why your pros do pretty well.” — Ilona (28:23)

On social media & authenticity:

“One specific thing that you said was, just post it. Even if you think it won’t work.” — Emma (20:36) “What made Emma and Andy so special is that it was that original content. Sometimes they did trends, but it was more of personality.” — Alan (33:26)

On relationship “hard launch”:

“I wanna kiss you. Are you okay with it?... During the dance, I was like, we’re doing it.” — Alan (49:50–50:16)

On handling fame and touring:

“When we’re on tour, people know we’re there and they’re looking for us, which is great...but sometimes we just want to go and have a beer.” — Emma (12:12)

On collaboration and communication:

“Communication is so, so important...I’m a very vulnerable person...She really wants me to talk about my feelings, which I do.” — Alan (43:41)

On balancing positivity and healthy boundaries:

“You don’t have to go in there and change that. Oh my gosh—relief. It was awesome.” — Alan (56:13)

On opposites attracting:

“She [Emma] helps me with the bigger picture, and I can help her with the smaller picture. ...She's a dreamer, and I'm very detail-oriented.” — Alan (68:12)

On British holiday quirks:

“Advent calendars are massive in London...my mum has bought him an advent calendar.” — Emma (59:10)

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Highlighted Segments with Timestamps

• DWTS Finale Prep, Instant Dance Rules: 03:21–07:05
• Dining and Bar Culture Differences: 06:28–09:02, 09:59–13:16
• Sinterklaas, Naughty List Traditions: 13:16–14:44
• Tea Time & British Habits: 14:46–16:01
• On-Stage Kiss (Hard Launch): 49:06–51:58
• Mutual Support & Eliminations: 34:17–39:23
• Communication & Relationship Insights: 43:41–45:15
• Family & Holiday Traditions: 53:55–61:58
• Chores, TikTok, and Best/Worst Qualities: 71:04–68:48

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Tone & Vibe

• Authentic, funny, and relaxed.
• Joyful teasing and real vulnerability, especially around relationship dynamics and the unfiltered look at working together.
• Warm holiday spirit and support for each other professionally and personally.
• British/American cultural banter, dance world “inside baseball,” and classic sisterly “judging from the sidelines.”

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For New Listeners

This episode offers an intimate, entertaining window into DWTS pros Alan and Emma’s lives both on and off the floor: their creative process, partnership, viral moments, and the joys and challenges of making their relationship public. You’ll also get cultural observations, tips on communication and teamwork, and some comedic family holiday chaos thrown in for good measure. Even if you’re not a DWTS fan, it’s a sparkling look at modern relationships and adulting in the social media/dance/holiday whirlwind.

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Transcript

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[Ilona]

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[Ilona]

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[Sponsor Voice]

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[Ilona]

Do you walk on the outside of the road?

[Alan Burson]

That's another conversation we just had.

[Emma Slater]

We did have this conversation, but Jeff, my dog Jeff, can only walk on my left side. So that's like we'll be walking and I always have to shift her to the outside to protect Jeff. This cocktail, bro, just cut this off.

[Host 1]

Welcome back to House of Mar A Wave original. Come in, get cozy. The WI FI password is tree skirt, all caps.

[Ilona]

I'm Ilona.

[Host 2]

And I'm Olivia.

[Host 3]

And I'm Adriana.

[Host 1]

You should know we have a few house rules here.

[Host 2]

Santa is real, Coco is hot, and so are you.

[Host 1]

There's a chill in the air kind of here in California, people are putting up their holiday decorations. You just start to feel that vibe. Christmas is right around the corner. So we're gonna get.

[Ilona]

We got a little holiday themed here as well.

[Host 2]

Beautiful. Make sure you're subscribed on YouTube to see how we've decked out our home here. There's snow inside. You wanna make sure. You wanna get in on that. It's beautiful. Wow.

[Host 1]

And a star.

[Ilona]

And a star.

[Host 3]

We're feeling the spirit.

[Host 1]

Hang on to your jingle bells. Y' all some of our favorite members of the Marr family are joining us today. Not one, but two Dancing for the Stars Mirrorball champions are in the house. They aren't only phenomenal dancers, but incredible teachers that have a unique ability to connect with every partner and turn their journey into something truly extraordinary. I would know. They are legendary choreographers. They are in love, and they are some of my favorite people on the planet. Please welcome Alan Burson and Emma Slater.

[Emma Slater]

What an intro.

[Alan Burson]

Thank you. That was lovely.

[Emma Slater]

It gave me all night to write it.

[Ilona]

Yeah. Yep. Mirror. Amazing teacher. So now you're funny.

[Host 3]

Fun fact.

[Host 1]

Emma's hilarious, so we're gonna get a.

[Ilona]

Little bit more of that. This is recorded before the finale. Alan is going to prep for it later today. Emma's gonna be part of it as well. You have the all sorts of dance and you're part of Alan's dance, kind of like mine last year. So we'll see what happens. How you feeling?

[Alan Burson]

Double finale. Turn it up, back to back.

[Ilona]

Wow, look at that. Okay.

[Emma Slater]

Couldn't do it without my girl.

[Ilona]

No, for real, for real.

[Alan Burson]

Two girls.

[Host 3]

Two girls.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. It's definitely my friend.

[Emma Slater]

No, no, honestly, it's. It's so fun, you know, how stressful it is, but, like, for some reason this season is just like, oh, we made the finale. Just enjoy it.

[Ilona]

Yeah. You know, I had a stress stream last night that I was going to camera blocking.

[Alan Burson]

Tell us about it.

[Ilona]

I thought. I don't know, but because this was ending, like, we're going to stop at noon for this.

[Host 1]

And I was like.

[Ilona]

And then I got to be at TV City at 12:30 to block that. And then we're blocking this other thing because I think I'm seeing so many posts and it's taking me back to how much this week was last year because there's so much in the final. Dances are such a creative thing for you guys, too. Anyway, I did wake up sweating, so.

[Host 2]

I'm okay now because the finale is three hours long.

[Emma Slater]

It's three hours long. And this year they made it a little bit harder. They're doing instant dance in the finale, which is. So we got the freestyle, which is our biggest. Our last one. We have one that we haven't done yet, the rumba, which is my favorite.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[Emma Slater]

So that one made it. With Emma in the room, it made it a lot easier to manage because I'm not as feminine as you think. Don't look. Don't look at my shirt. I taught you well, but I Remember.

[Ilona]

For our Roomba last year, for the beginning part, you know, when I just stand there and I was like, maybe we could bring, like, Emma in and she could, like, do something. Because I genuinely was just standing there for, like, I'd say an eight count, if not more. And then you came in and you just had to do slight movements and.

[Alan Burson]

I was like, oh, it was amazing.

[Sponsor Voice]

It was.

[Alan Burson]

It was my way, right? Yes, it was.

[Ilona]

I love that dance.

[Alan Burson]

It was so good for you. Everybody always, like, goes in thinking, I'm going to hate the rumba, but actually once they've done it, they're like, oh, I like it.

[Emma Slater]

That's why I saved it for the finale.

[Ilona]

Yeah, good job.

[Emma Slater]

But then we have the instant dance, which is we have to prepare four dances and then you don't know which one you do until it's live.

[Host 1]

Jeez, I'm stressed.

[Ilona]

Stressed out, for real.

[Host 2]

You guys did that at Halloween?

[Ilona]

Was that what that was?

[Emma Slater]

No, no, no. At the 500th. Oh, good Lord. But it was amazing. It turned out good.

[Ilona]

The last lips were salsa. Oh, I remember. Yeah, yeah, yeah. We did lifts and I was like, we. We didn't need to do that. But it's okay. Like, that's okay. Anywho, we're gonna go and touch some grass.

[Host 2]

You can get a little wrapped up in holiday stress, am I right?

[Alan Burson]

That's a good one.

[Host 2]

This will be our reminder to stay off the naughty list. And let's touch some grass. Shout out to the elves at Perplexity for sponsoring this segment. So we wanted to talk about today. Ilona recently had a restaurant experience where she had a reservation. She went and she spent a good amount of money. And then at the what, the 90 minute mark or two hour mark?

[Ilona]

I was there for a bit. But then they come in and they tell you, you gotta leave. Which I think, Emma, as a European, as a cool, cultured woman yourself, you probably don't like.

[Host 1]

No.

[Alan Burson]

And I saw your post and I think I responded to you. I actually responded about the food, but she responded nonetheless. She responded, I really want to go. My response, but, yeah, what the hell?

[Ilona]

It was really good. The food was good and, like, we were just enjoying. I think Americans are so quick with how they eat. You know, they go in. I mean, we had a table who wasn't there when we got there. They got in, had their meal, and then left before we even left. So people are about eating in America instead of, like sitting and enjoying?

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, well, we went to dinner the other night. We had a reservation at 8. And, like, we got there at 8. They're like, it's going to take 20 minutes. I'm like, why did we make a reservation?

[Ilona]

So it is interesting. It's like a very. We're passing people through, trying to get it in. Which I don't know if, like, if that was crazy for you or different for you coming from England.

[Alan Burson]

Yes. And definitely when my parents come and visit, too, they are perplexed by that whole thing, like, sitting down and rushing. We normally take, like, hours in Europe, especially for dinner, and then we'll have, like, even coffee afterwards. And that keeps you up and you start talking. And it can take, like, three hours. But over here, if you've got, like, someone looking at the watch, it's kind of like. Well, we. You know. Don't you want to digest your.

[Host 2]

Right.

[Ilona]

Exactly.

[Host 3]

And they always tell you they're going to course it out. And they're like.

[Alan Burson]

Because you. Like, we want to order slowly. Because Americans will just, you know, put it all like, oh, we course it out.

[Host 2]

No, they don't.

[Alan Burson]

They go, boom.

[Host 3]

They fire it.

[Emma Slater]

I like when it all comes out.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Don't course it all. Bring it all at once. And then I'll take my time.

[Alan Burson]

I will say the. There are, like, memes online. The service in Europe is pretty terrible, for sure.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

That's why it takes so long, because they forget about you.

[Ilona]

I know. And you're like, please.

[Alan Burson]

Hey, hey, hey. No.

[Host 2]

Okay.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, yeah. It's funny.

[Host 2]

The bill, Anybody?

[Emma Slater]

We did like, that's an art form. That is an art form.

[Alan Burson]

Bill is an American word. In Europe. It's Czech. Is it Czech? Because when I got here and people started saying, can I get the bill? I was like, what are you gonna do?

[Emma Slater]

Who's Bill?

[Ilona]

Where's Bill? What's that?

[Alan Burson]

I really didn't know because we heard that the note. That is a dollar bill. So I was like, can I get the bill? And I'm like, are you asking for money? I got so confused. But then also in Europe, check is, like a check. So it's like, we need to rewrite this.

[Host 1]

Feels weird to me.

[Ilona]

Language barriers.

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Feels weird.

[Host 2]

I will also say, like, we were also at a place where they were like, do you have a reservation? We were like, no. You know, and when you do have a reservation, you feel on top of the world.

[Alan Burson]

Yes.

[Host 2]

When you don't, you're like, come on, that's an arbitrary system. Who even needs it? But then you feel like a God. When you do have one at a place that's what we were talking about yesterday. But because we didn't have one, we almost felt like second rate citizen. They were like, we've got spots in maybe the bathroom for you if you want. Like, you can.

[Ilona]

I'm just kidding.

[Emma Slater]

But you know, I think we went to a sushi spot once, the one in Silver Lake, which I love. We went there. They're like, oh, we don't do like we're at the Maitre Dean, whatever it is. Like, oh, no, we don't, we don't have any rooms for walk ins. I literally went on my phone and got a reservation for that minute.

[Alan Burson]

Yes. I went to the bathroom. I went to the bathroom, I came out and he was like, our table's gonna be ready in five minutes.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah. How does this work?

[Host 2]

What is it like? Why are we losing human to human communication?

[Alan Burson]

We gotta do it on the like.

[Host 2]

And I think the holidays are about slowing down and enjoying the people around you and not being rushed out to the next thing. That's not sexy, that's not cozy. That's not.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

Do you find Emma, like bar culture different? You know, in England, like, we found this just going to a bar, having a drink. It's very chill, I think, in a way. Whereas it's almost more of a production here.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

I don't know if your parents have like the pub they go to or whatnot, but it's a different, I would say culturally, even between.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. So I lived in London and of course, like there's bars and pubs on every corner and you walk everywhere. Like, you don't drive, so you walk past and after work, it is very much a thing that you go out for a drink and that's just like a way of life. And I've not really thought about that until you just said it. When over here you have to like plan and like get an Uber or, you know, if you're not drinking, drive or whatever it is. Like you have to like really plan it and. And that's what I feel is different. Whereas I used to like come off stage in. At home in London and then we just always go to the pub for one or two after every single show. Like, go get a beer and it was fun. You, like, socialized and then you'd get the tube because the tube was open until like, you know, 12:30 or something.

[Ilona]

Not here.

[Emma Slater]

Do that though. Did we show for mixology?

[Alan Burson]

Oh, okay. So Dancing with the Stars. Go on.

[Emma Slater]

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.

[Host 2]

I believe you.

[Emma Slater]

We were shut down.

[Host 3]

She.

[Emma Slater]

Christine.

[Host 2]

Yes.

[Emma Slater]

And they would like host us and everyone would go. All of the dancers, all the producers, all the celebrities, everything was free. They would air the LA version and everyone would just hang out lit. But they stopped that.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

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 to.

[Emma Slater]

We can't go anywhere.

[Ilona]

No, but seriously. No, you seriously can. On tour.

[Emma Slater]

I can't even walk down the street.

[Alan Burson]

If you're in a casino. It's a little bit more. Because everybody who goes to see the show is kind of in the casinos. That sounded really bad, didn't it?

[Emma Slater]

No, I think it's when we're on tour, people know we're there and they're like looking for us, which is great. Like, we don't have any problem saying hi to anyone.

[Host 3]

Oh, no.

[Emma Slater]

But it's just like when they're like, oh, Dancing with the Stars is here. Let's find them.

[Ilona]

Oh, yikes.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. When we just want to go and have a beer and have fun, they find.

[Emma Slater]

They find us.

[Ilona]

They follow us.

[Host 1]

That little.

[Ilona]

The dog prince.

[Alan Burson]

They smell Alan's cologne in the lunch.

[Ilona]

Alan was pissed.

[Alan Burson]

This way.

[Emma Slater]

No, but I also going to think I was going to say la, I feel like, is so different than the rest of America. Like, I feel like in New York people just go to bars all the time.

[Alan Burson]

Definitely different.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

It's a big spectacle.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

You know, here it's like. I feel like clubs are bigger in LA than.

[Host 2]

And I think New York is a special case, like London, because there is public transport in the way. Everything's on the corner. You can have a sense of community.

[Emma Slater]

You can walk everywhere. Everywhere you're not walking in, not driving.

[Host 2]

Or worrying about drinking and all that.

[Ilona]

But turning tables over is on my naughty list.

[Host 2]

Naughty list?

[Emma Slater]

You mean like turn.

[Alan Burson]

Turning tables over?

[Ilona]

What you mean that's in America. In, like, turning tables is like turning this.

[Emma Slater]

I was like, did you get drunk?

[Ilona]

Dumb and dumb are over here. What do you mean?

[Alan Burson]

We were like, wait, what? Right.

[Host 3]

Turning over tables too fast is on my naughty list. Giving coal to every restaurant that does that. Now, Perplexity. What's the origin of giving coal to people on the naughty list? The tradition of giving coal to people on the naughty list originates from the European folklore and has evolved over Centuries. As a way to symbolically warn and encourage better behavior in children. The practice is associated with figures like St Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Italy's La Bafana. Never heard of them. Hey. And even the Germanic Krampus.

[Host 2]

We know Sinterklass. We're deeply familiar.

[Ilona]

I ain't never got cold, though.

[Host 2]

I never gotten cold. I'm too good.

[Ilona]

I don't know if any of us.

[Host 3]

We never.

[Ilona]

I don't know if our parents would do that for us.

[Host 2]

They probably wouldn't do that.

[Ilona]

I don't think we were threatened either. We were pretty good kids.

[Host 2]

Sinterklaas visits Dutch children.

[Host 1]

Yes. And you put your shoe out.

[Host 2]

You put your wooden clogs by the fireplace, and it's actually like a couple weeks before Christmas. And he comes and leaves you treats. And you get these paper notches, which is this, like, sort of like a gingerbread, like, cookie thing, the drops. So you get those.

[Host 3]

And then in our family, we get chocolate letters. So, like, I would get a chocolate.

[Ilona]

A chocolate O.

[Host 3]

Chocolate I. And then our family from the Netherlands would actually, like, ship it over to us.

[Host 2]

You get a. You get a chocolate initial.

[Host 1]

When's that?

[Ilona]

December 5th.

[Host 2]

Something like that.

[Host 3]

7Th or 9th.

[Host 2]

6Th or something like that.

[Host 3]

It's from the 5th to the 9th.

[Ilona]

We gotta figure that out.

[Host 2]

I think it might be the fifth. Sorry. To our Dutch relatives.

[Ilona]

Who knows? But happy, happy Sinterklaas day. Hope you guys don't get coal in your shoes.

[Host 2]

Thanks, Perplexity.

[Ilona]

Thank you. Tea time.

[Host 1]

Tea time is where we spill the tea.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, I think it was British because.

[Ilona]

Yeah, I was gonna say. And also British because Emma does drink a lot of tea. A lot of tea. Emma's coming into the studio. She's getting a tea. Emma's coming in to help.

[Host 1]

She has a tea in her hand.

[Emma Slater]

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

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. That's the bad, weirdest thing that you've just said. Tea. Black tea has milk in it.

[Host 3]

I agree.

[Host 2]

We do that.

[Alan Burson]

We do that.

[Ilona]

We drink with milk.

[Alan Burson]

No, I think that you're overruled here. You know how, like, in England, if you come in, people will say, do you want a cuppa? It's just a regular thing. And they mean a cup of tea. They chain drink. So once it's done, it's like. It's not like chain drink.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, chain drink.

[Alan Burson]

What did I say?

[Ilona]

You said Jane.

[Host 2]

You said chain.

[Ilona]

Yeah, let's cut this.

[Emma Slater]

We'll just cut this off. Emma drinks tea. The Right way. With milk in it.

[Ilona]

There it is. There it is. Good job, Alan. I need a churning. Emma well trained.

[Emma Slater]

My favorite is she likes 2% milk. And obviously if they don't have 2% milk, you take skim milk and mix it with whole milk.

[Host 1]

Hell yeah.

[Ilona]

You do that for her?

[Alan Burson]

No.

[Emma Slater]

I just go back when you mix it out.

[Alan Burson]

I just taught him to carry my bag. So we're making progress now.

[Emma Slater]

I need.

[Alan Burson]

He hurts.

[Host 1]

Allen.

[Ilona]

Do you walk on the outside of the road?

[Alan Burson]

That's another conversation we just had.

[Emma Slater]

We did have this conversation, but Jeff, my dog, Jeff, can only walk on my left side.

[Host 2]

Why?

[Emma Slater]

So that's how he was trained.

[Host 2]

Oh, okay.

[Emma Slater]

Like for some reason I have to hold the leash in my left hand.

[Alan Burson]

Well, that's. You know why that is? It's because. I mean, I don't know if you're gonna cut this out, but if you have a gun, you have it in your bike.

[Ilona]

Hey, there you go.

[Host 1]

Hey.

[Alan Burson]

He's gonna.

[Emma Slater]

Your guard dog.

[Ilona]

And then you got your. Yeah, that makes sense.

[Emma Slater]

My little baby doll.

[Alan Burson]

Brussels grip on it. And a pistol.

[Ilona]

No.

[Emma Slater]

So that's like. I always. Like. We'll be walking and I always have to shift her to the outside to protect Jeff.

[Host 3]

Protect.

[Ilona]

I know she's gonna say something like that.

[Alan Burson]

So I'm against the words. Yeah, of course.

[Emma Slater]

Sometimes it happens that she is on the inside and I'm protecting her.

[Host 3]

If you're at a restaurant and there's.

[Ilona]

A booth, are you sitting in the booth?

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. All the time.

[Emma Slater]

To protect.

[Alan Burson]

No, my back is to the door.

[Emma Slater]

But that's what it should be.

[Alan Burson]

Wait, no, no, it's not.

[Emma Slater]

The back is to the door. So if intruder comes in.

[Ilona]

No, no, wrong.

[Alan Burson]

You're supposed to put yourself in between.

[Host 2]

Yeah, you're supposed to put yourself.

[Ilona]

What?

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

How am I going to protect you?

[Alan Burson]

You go first.

[Host 2]

That's the problem. She gets time to get away.

[Emma Slater]

No, we're living in a society where men and women.

[Ilona]

Oh, are we living in a society?

[Emma Slater]

Are we?

[Ilona]

Alan's sliding into the booth every single time.

[Alan Burson]

Every single time.

[Emma Slater]

Okay, okay. Let's just admit one thing. I open the door for Emma. Not every single nice.

[Host 2]

Alan needs that door.

[Emma Slater]

Our door as well.

[Ilona]

Wow. No, that's awesome.

[Emma Slater]

Above and beyond.

[Ilona]

And you help. You help her a lot.

[Host 2]

You. You.

[Ilona]

If she's like on stairs and stuff. I've seen that.

[Alan Burson]

I think so.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Things I. I help her.

[Alan Burson]

Cause is probably the only thing I come out of.

[Emma Slater]

But also. Fair enough. But also I would like to very much Point out, please, that when we're sleeping, I'm closest to the door.

[Ilona]

Okay.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Again, to protect.

[Ilona]

Jeff is to protect us by the door. He's in the middle, of course. Okay.

[Emma Slater]

How do we get on that tangent?

[Ilona]

I don't even remember, but Alan.

[Emma Slater]

Tangent, Jesus.

[Ilona]

We talked about it a little bit. Alan is into the final. Ooh, clap for that. I guess.

[Host 2]

Clap it up.

[Ilona]

How has it been this season for you? We'll talk about Allen season, and then I need to hear about Emma's. How's it been? I mean, you. I think, what a great partner to have. Also off the back of me, but, like, such a great partner. And I. I was excited for you to get Elaine because she also is such a great dancer. So the performances you've been able to create and how you've been able to choreograph these, like, moments. How's it been?

[Emma Slater]

Thanks. It's been a lot of fun, I think. You know, every season is so different for us, especially getting a. You know, having somebody like you who was a social media phenomenon, a feminineomenon, if you will. And, like, I think you really changed the game for the show in general. Like, everyone. I know everyone's been doing social media, but, like, we really made that the forefront of the season last year. And so I think this year, like, going into it, I was like, okay, obviously, Elaine, you're a great dancer, and we're able to do some awesome things, but it's so important to get the personality out there.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

And I know you mentioned. You messaged me so many times, and you're like, don't just do trends. Like, really talk to the camera so people get to know you as well, which I have not done.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

I was like, he's not great at that.

[Sponsor Voice]

Oh, yeah.

[Emma Slater]

I'm a little shy. Believe it or not, I'm an introverted extrovert.

[Ilona]

Well, it was so funny. I went into the studio with Alan and Elaine and I had a TikTok idea, and it was like Al and.

[Host 1]

I were back in the studio crafting.

[Ilona]

I was like, okay, I'll come out of the door.

[Host 1]

He's like, perfect. Okay.

[Ilona]

And then I'm gonna be hearing it. Elaine said something, and we're like, we can try that. Elaine. It was like, we're back again kind of crafting and, like, cooking in there. And I think that what was that was so fun to have somebody who's ready to do the TikToks, which I think Emma's. What's been so good about your season is I say this to everybody. I think your content has been the most original out of the whole cast. Engaging original. Engaging original. And the way that you've been able to put Andy out there, I mean, it was all you. So tell me about that and how you've now. You're now, I would say, a content mastermind later.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, my gosh.

[Host 3]

Thank you.

[Alan Burson]

That means a lot. Because I love your content and I think that you have, like, the perfect blend of original, and I think what Alan said was accurate. I watched your social media, and one specific thing that you said in your season was that just post it, even if you think it will work or it won't. This season with Andy, he had a TikTok, but he had 12 followers. We counted. Well, we saw.

[Emma Slater]

I didn't even know how to TikTok.

[Alan Burson]

I said, did you have a TikTok? He was like, I don't use it. He didn't post anything. He had 12 followers. And he said, oh, they're all bots. Which is, like, kind of weird.

[Emma Slater]

12 is a strange number.

[Alan Burson]

It is strange. But now he has, like, I didn't look for the latest, but it's over 100,000 and he was game for everything. I mean, he makes funny skits. That's what he does. He's a comedian. He's used to doing these videos and filming things live. And he's funnier than I could ever direct him. And I love to direct. Like, I would always come up with these social media ideas. It's really fun for me. And that's the only way I could do it, because if it felt like work, I just would never do it. But if it was fun and funny, which is, like my favorite thing, like, just basically as a kid, I used to play around with my friends and do acting skits. And with Andy, it was like, oh, my God, it's awesome. We can do the same thing. I would just tell him, oh, come in here. And I wouldn't even need to say anything else. He would just pick up my bags, put my glasses on. Like, the whole skit of him coming in after every week, being safe. Like, he was so game. He would ask for more bags. He wore the same glasses every time. He would pull these faces, and it was just like magic. And I loved it so much. It was awesome.

[Emma Slater]

He's incredible. I have him in my freestyle.

[Host 1]

Do you really?

[Ilona]

That's so good.

[Emma Slater]

So obviously this is. We're filming this before the freestyle, but we're doing, like, old Hollywood, and Andy's the director and we're doing, like, chorus line, and he yells, cut, cut. And he goes on the whole tangent.

[Alan Burson]

Oh, my God.

[Emma Slater]

And it's. It's amazing. I told him about it. He sent Emma a photo. He's like, I need to be dressed like this. It's like. Like a vintage director with the hat, the beret, the scarf, the pants, the boots.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

He's like, I need to go big.

[Alan Burson]

I need.

[Emma Slater]

I'm like, yes, you do go bigger in my.

[Alan Burson]

He's so big with, like, the big. With, you know, moments. Funny characters.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, he's hilarious.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, he is. And his favorite thing was when we ripped off the shirt in the relay dance. That was. He just loved that.

[Ilona]

That was so good.

[Host 3]

Thank you.

[Ilona]

Because I see they are constantly ripping shirts, and I. I honestly, I would have loved if it was Andy's actual body, but I love that you decided to use this shirt and whatever. I think it's just the way that you guys are able to do it. Like Elaine's hat with you that you use and then the other things you're using in the dance. Emma, I think you put such moments to it to, like, Hosier's yell when he. You, like, carry. Hold the camera.

[Host 3]

Is that.

[Ilona]

I say it. Hosiers. Hosier. How do you even choreograph those? And when you get your partner, do you kind of start to think about them and almost do research on little things, or is it as you're going week to week, getting to know them more, you can choreograph better?

[Alan Burson]

I definitely think it's that. I think, like, for me personally, I love to find the genuine aspects about my partner, and sometimes that is humor. I lean definitely more towards humor. But then on the flip side, I really like to be. To have moments that are vulnerable and sincere and go there. And with the Hoja's yell, I remember I was in my car speaking to Mark Ballas, and we were just talking about something at this promo photo shoot, and then Northern Attitude came on, which is that song. And they had already told me. The producer told me, oh, TikTok week is coming up. Have a think about what you want to do.

[Emma Slater]

This was before the show even started.

[Alan Burson]

So I was thinking Andy and TikTok, like, what can we do? Because it's kind of a. Now, I know it's a good marriage, but it's kind of like a tricky marriage between the two. And then Hoxier's yell came on. And I remember looking at the radio thinking, that's it. That's what I want to do. And I wanted the Hoxha's yell moment to be a moment of him feeling like, wow, this is my moment here. And the camera thing just came in. Initially, I wanted, you know, the Titanic, when they held hands and they ran. I wanted, like, that kind of moment. But it ended up being slower with the camera, just because the camera's capabilities. That's Ronnie. Shout out Ronnie on Steadicam.

[Host 3]

O.

[Alan Burson]

And he just held the camera. And when he did it in the dress rehearsal, I was like, that's it. Like, that's the moment. And it ended up working really well.

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[Alan Burson]

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[Ilona]

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[Alan Burson]

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[Ilona]

Yes.

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[Emma Slater]

Let's do this.

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[Ilona]

Hey, you weren't listening to me.

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[Emma Slater]

That's cool.

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[Host 3]

Getting back from Mexico for Thanksgiving and then heading home for the holidays, it's hard to stay on top of my morning routine this time of year.

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[Ilona]

I'm taking the Berry, but the original.

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[Ilona]

I think you two do also a good job of of almost fading. I don't know if the words like fade the back but you kind of just really put them up front your pros like for most of it Elaine when she was just there up at the top and then with just Andy in the camera. You guys are really are so okay with just being in the background and not being noticed at times. Like I think that's really what the way that you highlighted me at many dances by putting me up there. I think is really why your pros do pretty well because I don't think any anyone would have thought Andy gone this far but what you did for him and for like the his image was amazing.

[Alan Burson]

Thank you. I'M totally okay in the background.

[Ilona]

I think both of you are. Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

I also think we work really well together in. In very opposite ways. In the. In the way of, like, Emma is phenomenal with moments. Like when I choreograph, I over choreograph all the time. And she's, oh, you should take this out for a second. I'm like, yes, thank you.

[Alan Burson]

You know, but.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, but I'll. I'm also going to take a little credit. I love the funny moments.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

And sometimes I don't do them well. But like, with Andy and Emma, I'll tell them, like, you got to do this.

[Alan Burson]

Oh, here's the shirt rip. I, by the way, was his idea.

[Ilona]

Was that you also.

[Emma Slater]

Also, I think week two, I was like, you have to do It's Raining Men. Like, I don't know. For one hit wonders. I was like, you have to do It's Raining Men.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Like, it's perfect.

[Alan Burson]

I mean, if you ever had an Andy, I would love to dance with Andy.

[Emma Slater]

Andy. It's not. Also, he kissed me.

[Ilona]

I will say that's the second time.

[Alan Burson]

That was the second time that kissed me.

[Ilona]

He kissed in the studio as well.

[Alan Burson]

Were you there?

[Host 2]

I was there.

[Ilona]

Yeah. Yeah. And I was like, hey. And I was like, well, I don't.

[Alan Burson]

Think that was the first time we kissed Emma.

[Emma Slater]

It wasn't the first time we kissed.

[Ilona]

No.

[Emma Slater]

Honestly, I go into the room to kiss Emma and Andy's like, what about me? And one day I was like, fine. And then he kissed me.

[Ilona]

I was like, oh, yeah. And then he cleansed it by going back to kissing Emma. Yes. He was like, and then kiss them again.

[Alan Burson]

But you have to give yourself more credit because we are. We do work really well together. Because sometimes I go into the studio and Alan picks choreography that's really so much different than I would pick. And I look at it and I go, wow, I would never do that. But that is so amazing. And I love his point of view because he always choreographs really, really, really well for his partners. And sometimes I tell him, hey, you can flourish more here because. Because like you said, he puts his partners, like, front and center. And whatever he gives them, he always makes really good choices. And I admire that so much. It's very like, dance. And he knows how to teach them.

[Emma Slater]

Except for Halloween week with you. Biggest regret of my life.

[Alan Burson]

Why?

[Emma Slater]

What is my regret? Wasn't the dancing or anything that we did. I should have just chose a different dance.

[Host 2]

Really should have done that.

[Alan Burson]

Not a different dance. It was.

[Ilona]

We'd be flipping each other.

[Emma Slater]

No, it was also the music. Sometimes I, like, trust the system too much. I'm like, oh, it doesn't matter what song we do as long as we do a good job. Music matters so much, and I'm really starting to realize that more and more.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Cuz like, even this year with Elaine, we did a tango to Cat's eye. Gnarly. Which the tango was.

[Ilona]

The tango was good.

[Emma Slater]

Amazing.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

But, like, everyone online is like, oh, this isn't a tango song. And then when you think about it, I'm like, yeah, this song was really, really hard to choreograph. And it didn't amplify the dance where I'm like, oh, I should have just, like, chose a different song. But it was TikTok night, and that was hard night.

[Host 2]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Also, I was gonna say earlier, when you're talking about Andy and TikTok, I think the biggest surprise about Andy was learning how many incredible movies he's in.

[Ilona]

That you don't realize.

[Emma Slater]

He's a voice in Madagascar.

[Alan Burson]

Talladega Knights.

[Emma Slater]

He's in Talladega Nights. He's in Scary Movie 2.

[Alan Burson]

He's in blades of Glory.

[Emma Slater]

He's in Blades of Glory.

[Ilona]

He's in our favorite minute, Manhattan, which.

[Host 1]

Is the one with the Olsen twins.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host 2]

New York minute. Right.

[Ilona]

Manhattan minute or something like that. He's in one of the Olsen twins. We love. He's a bad guy.

[Host 2]

Yeah, we were.

[Emma Slater]

We were doing a funny TikTok about Semi Pro, that Will Ferrell movie.

[Host 2]

Yeah, He's.

[Emma Slater]

He was like, I'm in this. We get to see him. We're like, oh, my God, it is you. It's like he's in all these incredible funny movies. So it was just fun to see that. You could have done so many TikToks from, like.

[Alan Burson]

I know we could have done. But she's on original content. Yeah, but that's original content.

[Emma Slater]

She's an original content also.

[Alan Burson]

I'm going to watch as a social media manager for Andy after this because he's like, I really need. I want to. I want to continue. And I was like, I got you. I'm gonna send you stuff.

[Ilona]

Send that bill.

[Alan Burson]

Emma.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

I think what she did really good is what you did really good for us. We didn't do a lot of dance trends.

[Host 1]

I never.

[Ilona]

I see that. And I. I'm gonna talk about that.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

Speak on when people be doing dance trends on Dance with Stars. So you're telling me you had to Learn two dances. You also learned a TikTok dance. Couldn't be me. I think I only did, like, two or something. It had to be the simplest ones. I wasn't about to learn another dance if I had to. I can't add that to my brain. So whenever I see these guys doing TikTok dance, I'm like, all right, get out of here, you dancers.

[Emma Slater]

No, but I think that's what makes you you. And, like, what made Emma and Andy so special is that it was that original content. Sometimes they did trends, but it was more of, like, personality, I think.

[Ilona]

So you. When was. Emma came in, I would say really helped. Helped with the rumba. Yeah, she came at the beginning there. Helped there. And I think what was interesting is I come from a sport that's not, like, you know, it's. It's fighting, it's battling it out. And then there's these moments in dance that Emma could really help with. So, like, at the beginning of the rumba, how do. How do I make this, like, graceful and sensual? And so she would teach me how to move and whatnot. And then I say, funny for the Halloween dance. Remember at the end where I come up and I, like, choke Alan at.

[Alan Burson]

The beginning of it?

[Ilona]

I was. And then Emma's like, you need to get in there.

[Alan Burson]

Get in there.

[Ilona]

I need you to get in there.

[Emma Slater]

And I'm like, okay, Emma.

[Ilona]

Emma's right here. I'm choking out. I'm like this, right?

[Alan Burson]

I know your faces need to be like, you need to get in there.

[Ilona]

So it's a funny way of. Of how you have to, like, how you help. And you kind of helped me to get into that dancer zone.

[Emma Slater]

She also really helped in the paso and the Vinnies waltz.

[Ilona]

Well, and I was getting into that, and then she really started to get in there, because, you know, once Alan and I, we spent a lot of time together, and he was pissing me off. So then Emma would come in, and we had to learn dances so quick. And it's very hard to learn to dance when it's Alan also teaching the girl part. So then we'd have Emma in.

[Emma Slater]

And I was pretty good at the girl part.

[Ilona]

No, he was great at the girl part. But we'd have Emma come in, and so she. What was the week before?

[Emma Slater]

Quick step.

[Ilona]

Quick step. Not as much for quick step, but for. She was there for paso and Viennese waltz, because those were our favorite dance. One of the best. Some of the master dancers. But she was there helping me every moment because it's so different to see a woman do it as well. And I could see how they mesh. And then when I would do with Alan, she'd be like, oh, change it up a little bit.

[Emma Slater]

Also, dancing is really, you know, it's all about feeling. But it's hard for you to envision what it looks like unless you see somebody do it. Yeah, like where? I'm like, oh, just do it. Like, this is one thing. But then if you see Emma and I doing it, you're like, oh, now I know what it's supposed to look like.

[Alan Burson]

I can do it.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

And honestly, when Alan would come into my rehearsals and my partners would see a man doing it, it would click differently for them. And they would see it and go, oh, I can relate to that. And they would have all kinds of insights. That doesn't matter how many times I might have even said the same thing. It won't click the same way than if they see somebody do it.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah. And sometimes, like, when you're with somebody for so long and they say something, you kind of just say, yeah, I get it. But then somebody else says the exact same thing, like, oh, my God.

[Alan Burson]

And then the original part is like.

[Ilona]

Why did you get it?

[Emma Slater]

When I said, this is where we take it back to therapy, the therapist has to be like, why didn't I ever think about that?

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

And Emma's like, I said that.

[Ilona]

I remember you changing some moves for me, too. You're like, why is she. Why are you having her do that? Emma would change. And I was like, emma, this was really much easier.

[Host 1]

Thank you so much.

[Alan Burson]

Sometimes, like, there's so many choices, and that's the thing dancing at the end of the day. Yeah, there's a technique to it, but it's still subjective, if that's the right way to say it. It's an art. So you can change it to a plethora of different things that feel good for you. And when you find the one that works, it's like, oh, that's so much better than trying to force something that doesn't work. And that's the same for Elaine, too. You know she has a rumper this week. Well, by the time we're recording this, she has a rumper this week. And some moves fit fantastic for her. And some moves you can tell that she unsure about that she has to force. And then you just switch it out for the right formula, and then you have the dance.

[Host 2]

So are you still helping with Elaine.

[Alan Burson]

The way that you helped Ilona?

[Host 2]

Are you in there?

[Alan Burson]

Well, Since I got eliminated, it was.

[Emma Slater]

Harder because Emma made it so far. When you're in it, there's like, we still go into each other's room and try to help, but you don't have a lot of time.

[Alan Burson]

Oh, there was one week this year where I said, I love you. I just, I need all of your hours today. Remember, it was for the salsa and I was freaking out. I had no choreography. And it was the day. It was a Wednesday. So he has, like, full rehearsal with Elaine. I have rehearsal with Andy later on. And I said, I need your hours. Like, I need you to help me. And you did. Bless your heart.

[Emma Slater]

And my big problem is, like, very superstitious. So I rarely prep beforehand. So every Wednesday, I'm waking up at 7am to practice or to prep it. I'm like, oh, why do I make these decisions? But, yeah, no, I. To me, it's like, I'll gladly help, especially at the studio, something that I'm good at. But, you know, it's so time consuming that it's nice to have somebody that's going through it. Cause they understand it. But at the same time, it's like when one person's eliminated, it makes it so much easier.

[Ilona]

Like, keep going, babe.

[Alan Burson]

Keep going.

[Host 3]

Were you always so ready to help or was there a time where it was like seeing each other as competitors?

[Emma Slater]

Well, what's funny is, like, in week five or four, Emma's like, whenever I go home, I'll be ready to help you. And I'm looking, I'm like, you're not going home.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, right.

[Emma Slater]

If you have you open tik tok. Everyone's like, we're voting for Andy. Voting for Andy. I was like, I'm not going to get any help this season. I'm going to help you this.

[Alan Burson]

Well, no, it was honestly at the beginning of the season, you know, people were like, oh, it's probably Andy's week. Like, yeah, they're probably going to go home. Then when it kind of got momentum, the. The narrative shifted a little bit. But I'm like, totally ready to help it. Whether I'm in the show or not, I'm always ready to help the funny.

[Emma Slater]

Yes. And I'm always ready to help them. The funniest meme, though, is there was, like, week eight, this one, Week seven, they made, you know, the grim reaper, like, going through the doors.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

They made it where every door had the past. The eliminated celebrities and Andy walking as the grim reaper.

[Alan Burson]

It was hilarious.

[Host 2]

Cutting them all down. It was.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, yeah. But it was it was great.

[Alan Burson]

But yeah, I feel like. I feel like. I feel like everybody on the show has such a collaborative, supportive atmosphere about them. Like, it's become really wholesome, which was crazy because I don't want to dwell on it too much, but there was, like, an article that came out that was like, oh, toxic energy in Dancing with the Stars. And it's like, could not be further from the truth.

[Emma Slater]

Also, a lot of these articles are so wrong.

[Alan Burson]

Oh, my gosh.

[Emma Slater]

When she got eliminated, there was like, an article. Alan and Emma are fighting.

[Host 2]

Oh.

[Host 3]

In the hallway.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

And apparently. Did you see that?

[Emma Slater]

I didn't even see it. My mom was like, are you guys fighting? I was like, what?

[Host 3]

What?

[Alan Burson]

Apparently some crazy true person had witnessed it and. But they didn't literally did never happen.

[Emma Slater]

What's funny is the video they use of, like, walking to the studio was the day after she got eliminated to help me.

[Ilona]

Right.

[Emma Slater]

And I was like, you guys are like, if you're gonna use a video, at least don't make it like, where she's helping me.

[Sponsor Voice]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

Is that the one where you're, like walking in a little serious?

[Emma Slater]

Yeah. And she's like, that's the best you ever looked. She's like, stop smiling.

[Ilona]

The comments were going crazy.

[Alan Burson]

Emma. Okay, okay, okay.

[Emma Slater]

People, listen to sweet.

[Alan Burson]

We do have to talk about this. I've said to Alan, I said, you know what? You could, you know, switch out your usual expression a little bit.

[Ilona]

You cannot smile.

[Alan Burson]

Alex.

[Ilona]

She's excited. Not all the time. Okay.

[Alan Burson]

When he chooses to be, like, in the moment and serious and sincere and kind of like, you know, just like, still with the moment. I think it's the sexiest thing in the world. Like, sometimes when he comes in and he's just real and he's a bit mean and mad that I'm like.

[Ilona]

And then he smiles.

[Emma Slater]

She's like, damn it. I'm gonna say America is a little messed up. I've noticed a few things, but you get it, right?

[Host 2]

Be real.

[Ilona]

Did that alien do things for you?

[Alan Burson]

The alien?

[Ilona]

Because the tiktokers loved him as the alien.

[Emma Slater]

There's three moments this season.

[Ilona]

She goes, yes, alien.

[Alan Burson]

I would have grabbed those antennas.

[Emma Slater]

I would also like to point out I had to make them smaller. Like, that wasn't actually.

[Host 1]

No, that's good.

[Alan Burson]

You had to make them smaller.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Cuz I couldn't fit on it.

[Host 1]

No.

[Host 2]

For real.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

It was cold inside, Right?

[Ilona]

Yeah. Right.

[Emma Slater]

Three things this season that I was like, you people are messed up. Alien Allen was the hottest. Alan apparently Until.

[Alan Burson]

Until. Until hospital.

[Emma Slater]

Until Elaine was in the hospital, standing there.

[Host 2]

Oh, and you're crying with scars.

[Ilona]

This is Alan.

[Alan Burson]

And people are like, hugging himself, hugging himself.

[Emma Slater]

All the comments were like, I know Elaine's in the hospital, but is this a good time to talk about allergies, scars? What is wrong with you people?

[Alan Burson]

I loved it. I love it when people are like, oh, he's hot. So I'm like, yeah, he's hot.

[Host 2]

Yeah, he is.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

What's funny? Well, it's not funny, but when Elaine went to the hospital, I went there with her, and I had all these scars on me. People in the hospital, like, are you okay? I was like, yeah. What do you mean?

[Alan Burson]

I'm good.

[Emma Slater]

They forgot that I had it on. Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

What was the third one?

[Emma Slater]

The third one was me angry in the morning, walking, chewing gum, not smiling. And everyone. I was like, he's never looked better.

[Host 2]

You were very model off duty.

[Alan Burson]

You were very model off duty.

[Host 2]

You were sauntering. I thought it was like such a. Zoomed in, too. I was like, oh, no, look at this.

[Ilona]

Well, I send them to Alan and Emma. So I'll send fan edits to Emma of her boyfriend.

[Alan Burson]

She sends me all of the fan edits. It's amazing. And every time, I'm like, I love you.

[Ilona]

You guys gotta check this. Emma, look at your man.

[Alan Burson]

And I'm in the comments. People are like, you know, it's funny. Somebody was like, like, can. Can Emma fight? And I said, yes, I can. And then someone wrote, but can she fight all of us? And I was like, I'm gonna bring Alona.

[Ilona]

And I'm there.

[Host 2]

You guys have built a beautiful, like, working partnership. The way you help one another. How is that translated? You do a very interesting job together, and now they're in a relationship. How does that play out in the rest of your life?

[Emma Slater]

It goes really well. I know. It's like sometimes people like, oh, you want to keep work and life separate? Which Emma really tries to do as well. Like, she's really important. About. Like, when we're at home, let's try not to talk about work too much. But then she brings it up.

[Ilona]

I'm like, okay, so it's okay.

[Alan Burson]

How's your week?

[Emma Slater]

It's okay when you do it, but. But it's, you know, it's that work, life, balance. But when you're going through something simultaneously together, even though it's not together, it's nice to know that, like, we can support each other and, like, you know exactly what that other person is Going through.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

So it kind of helps our relationship, I think what really helps our relationship, and I'll give Emma the credit on this one. Communication is so, so important. She really wants me to talk about my feelings, which I do. I'm a very.

[Alan Burson]

Well, you said it way.

[Emma Slater]

I'm a very vulnerable person. Like, I just sometimes, like, was grown, I grew up of, like, just move past it. I'm fine. Like, I don't need to talk about it. And she is. Emma's really good at, like, like, let's talk about it and, you know, get through it, which I love doing. I love talking.

[Alan Burson]

I was just about to say he's really good at communication. And so that's, like, key for me. And I, I. I know that. That I love to talk about it, too. You know, when you get mad or something, are you the type of person that needs to talk about it straight away, or do you need a second?

[Emma Slater]

Because I'm the type of person. I'm like, let's talk about it now. And she's like, I need to process it, and then we can talk about.

[Host 2]

It, chew on it, and then unpack.

[Emma Slater]

It, which is amazing. Like, I truly understand it. The biggest thing I learned is that men like to try to solve things, and women just like to talk.

[Host 2]

Yep.

[Emma Slater]

They just want to venture.

[Alan Burson]

What do you ask me now?

[Emma Slater]

I'm like, do you want me to help you, or do you want me to just listen?

[Host 2]

Smart.

[Alan Burson]

Smart.

[Ilona]

I start wrapping up for you. Amazing.

[Alan Burson]

And I'll tell him, most of the time, I just want you to listen.

[Emma Slater]

And I'll still try to fix it. I'm like, shut up.

[Ilona]

Give me the model face. I just want you to listen. Can you look angry?

[Alan Burson]

Angry.

[Ilona]

Look angry.

[Emma Slater]

But no, it's communication. And she is the reason I'm getting better and more patient with everything, because I'm like, oh, I don't need to just jump in and try to fix things. Let's just take a second and process.

[Alan Burson]

And he's the reason I'm apologizing more, because I'm quite stubborn.

[Emma Slater]

No, don't.

[Alan Burson]

Yes. I know that it's just a. Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

You know, but it's not even stubborn. It's opinion in the best way. Like, obviously, I love how opinionated you are, and, like, you care about things and you're passionate. I don't think I would like it if it was just, like, pushover. Like, whatever you want.

[Host 2]

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[Emma Slater]

Today.

[Host 3]

Can you talk us through when you guys announced your relationship? Because I've heard a certain story from Alona about the kiss on stage and how she encouraged.

[Emma Slater]

She was like, you got to just kiss her on stage, dude.

[Alan Burson]

Well, really, I didn't know that.

[Ilona]

So I was in the wings because I went on. I was on tour for like, you know, five days, but I was in the wings and I went up to Alan. I was like, alan, you know what you got to do, I think on your last night is you got to kiss Emma. I don't know if it. I think I was. I liked when you guys did the. I think it was Hotel California one. It was like, really one. You were dancing really beautifully around each other. But I love how you did it. What made you decide to do in that dance and that night? And we also, when we were watching that TikTok, we could kind of notice you looked a little nervous.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, yeah.

[Ilona]

Yeah, you did.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, yeah.

[Ilona]

Tell us about it.

[Host 2]

Talk us through it.

[Alan Burson]

I had no idea that he was gonna do it until that day.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah. I was like, is it okay if I kiss you? Cause, like, we keep things private.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

You know. And that was the.

[Host 2]

Well.

[Alan Burson]

Well, actually, he did ask, but he. But it was more like, I wanna kiss you.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, it was more like, I'm gonna kiss you. Are you okay with it?

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

And at first I was like, this is a lot to think about. Let and Then.

[Emma Slater]

And then I was like.

[Alan Burson]

During the dance, I was like, we're doing it.

[Emma Slater]

And then I did it. And we were both. I was like, oh, God, we did it.

[Ilona]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Alan Burson]

And then we did the next bit of choreography, like, super early.

[Ilona]

Did you really?

[Alan Burson]

And the choreographer is in the audience. Mandy Moore, who's amazing. She's in the audience and she's watching.

[Emma Slater]

And she was so happy.

[Alan Burson]

Like, she, of course, like, she, like, was happy for the moment. And then I think we went early because everybody started screaming and the adrenaline was going.

[Ilona]

It was just really funny.

[Alan Burson]

Funny.

[Emma Slater]

But I was like, I don't know. It was like. We spent this whole tour together. It was amazing. There's a. There's a difference when you make the relationship public, you know, it makes it so real.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

And I think we needed to do that.

[Alan Burson]

I needed that.

[Emma Slater]

I needed it, too. Like, it really just makes it real. And, like, you know, I want everyone to know that Emma's my girl. And I know she wants everyone to know that I'm her mom, man.

[Alan Burson]

Definitely.

[Emma Slater]

And so, like, that really did it.

[Host 1]

Look to the camera.

[Alan Burson]

Definitely.

[Ilona]

They are each other. Don't shoot him.

[Emma Slater]

Let's just don't forget she was a rat that night. Yeah, I was an alien, but she was a rat.

[Ilona]

We don't forgetful rat. That was. I mean, I think it's so cool. And how has it changed now, being public with it? Because you guys were private for a while, and so that meant also in these spaces you were in, you had to be kind of cautious even. Cause there's cameras all around. There's this and that. And you want to be affectionate. It wasn't like you were hiding it. But I think, Alan, when you would talk to me, you guys just loved that. There was no, you know, people coming almost coming into your relationship.

[Emma Slater]

I think the second we went public, it was like, oh, nothing else matters. Who cares what people think?

[Alan Burson]

And we had been living like, what are people gonna think? And just protective and just private, and it gets in the way. And when you. It was actually brut. Britt, one of my best mates, Britt Stewart from the show, she said to me, you're kind of living in fear. You're not really owning your own life because you're worried about what people will say. And I listened to her, and she was right. The second that we made it public, the first day was a little bit like, I'm not gonna go on my phone, but it was all sleep. And then it was by far the best thing, because we just popped that illusion which was that everybody hates us and everybody and it just. You don't need to think that way. And you can choose to like own the life that you're living. And it really helped me a lot.

[Emma Slater]

So our last show was in Chicago on tour and we stayed there for like two extra days. And I remember that first day we were not on our phones really. We were just like, okay, let's no need to look at it. And then I remember we went axe throwing.

[Alan Burson]

Oh yes.

[Emma Slater]

We went axe throwing that night.

[Host 2]

The natural next step.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, obviously you go public.

[Ilona]

You go public.

[Emma Slater]

She's really good at X throwing.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Who knew her back is to the door at restaurants.

[Emma Slater]

I was almost like, I'm regretting going public. She's much better than me at axe throwing now. What the hell?

[Alan Burson]

That's the only thing I can do.

[Emma Slater]

And she said, I don't know why I'm so good. I've done this before. I'm like, how the hell. Like I was throwing, it wasn't even sticking. I was like, how are you doing this right now?

[Alan Burson]

How is this what we're talking about?

[Emma Slater]

I don't know.

[Ilona]

I was very one axe throwing.

[Emma Slater]

Okay. I was very impressed. I was like, that's my baby.

[Host 2]

Yeah, there she is.

[Emma Slater]

Whoever go back in time to barbarian times and we have axes.

[Ilona]

Okay.

[Alan Burson]

Maybe I had a previous life. Previous life as like an axe thrower?

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

Have you gotten Allen into some like, I know that you're into more spiritual stuff. Like spiritual stuff. Have you gotten him into.

[Alan Burson]

Are you woo woo? Yes.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, she's woo woo.

[Ilona]

I'm a little woo woo.

[Emma Slater]

But let's not use that term.

[Alan Burson]

I'm gonna own. Cause it gets such a battle rep. But I. Yeah, I actually think that Alan's naturally more, you know, it's just a bit more like intuitive. I think it's more just like if you're like an intuitive person and you can self regulate and think about what you. It's more like introspective just. I feel like I can just tap into what I need and I can kind of gauge sort of the energy in the room. I'm sensitive to energies which of course people sometimes like.

[Host 1]

Eh.

[Alan Burson]

But I just feel it. I feel when things are high and when things are low and it can be a little bit jarring for me if I walk into a room that has, you know, I don't know, just some heavy stuff going on. Like I tend to my body, notices it and I can't do it along.

[Host 2]

And do you Take it on and try to counterbalance it.

[Ilona]

Do you find yourself doing that?

[Alan Burson]

As a kid, I noticed I used to do that, and I think that's a lot of people. Even without realizing it, I think the kid that always acts happy and I'm naturally very, like, happy person. I just know that about myself. But sometimes kids can overextend and try to take the weight of heavy situations and be super upbeat and want to perform and take on everybody else's stress. And I've learned I got to like, maybe 30 when I realized, oh, I can't do that anymore. And that's when really, that's why usually around 30, the white. The patterns in people's lives start to crumble and they start to look at themselves because they can't physically do that anymore. And that's what happened to me.

[Emma Slater]

So which one of you is the.

[Alan Burson]

Who's Woo Woo?

[Emma Slater]

Which is the Woo Woo fixer?

[Host 2]

I think, in that way, what you're describing, I think I do, is like, I'll feel an energy and I'll try to. And like, I used to describe it as I will burn my candle at both ends to give other people light. But it's just, like, taking a toll on me. And I think, same thing. I turned 30 and I got to a point where I was like, okay, that's happening. But that's.

[Host 3]

Okay.

[Host 2]

That's what they're dealing with. You don't have to do that. You don't have to fix it. That's. Do you?

[Ilona]

Yeah, but it's a.

[Host 2]

It's a long journey.

[Ilona]

She's still learning. She gives a lot to people.

[Alan Burson]

It's like the biggest thing in life. Like, for me, when I heard, you don't have to go in there and change that. Oh, my gosh. This, like, relief. It was awesome.

[Host 3]

Right?

[Host 2]

And it's that simple term of, like, let them. You know, it's not like, it's so simple, but it's like.

[Alan Burson]

Where I was like, ew.

[Host 2]

That really is that simple. Let them. It doesn't really pertain to me, I guess.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah. I think something that we spoke about this year as well is like, you can't change people's minds.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

And you should.

[Emma Slater]

You don't need to. If somebody's being negative. Just. You're not going to force your positivity onto them.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Don't just try to not take their negativity. They can do their own thing and.

[Host 2]

You don't have to.

[Emma Slater]

To be absorbing that, which was kind.

[Alan Burson]

Of hard for me because I'd gotten to a point where. And maybe this is like an ego thing as well, which I'm trying to be really careful with. I gotten to a point where I'm like, well, what are you doing?

[Emma Slater]

I don't want to interrupt you while you're talking. I want to move my hand.

[Alan Burson]

You can move your hand.

[Emma Slater]

But it's my left hand. And I'm not a lefty, I'm a righty.

[Ilona]

So it's. He's also sinking into that couch.

[Host 2]

I getting deeper and deeper.

[Emma Slater]

I'm sorry. We were in a very deep conversation. I'm ready now.

[Alan Burson]

It's okay. I forgot what I was saying.

[Emma Slater]

That's another thing.

[Alan Burson]

I'm really bad with focus.

[Host 2]

Oh, yeah.

[Alan Burson]

I kind of felt like it. Oh, okay. I might be part of my purpose here might be just to make light of situations and to do that. So it's like a fine line between what I thought was something that I can give to a situation to. Oh, no, you don't have to do that at that point. So it's like picking and choosing a little bit.

[Host 2]

Well, last time Alan was here, we learned about his family. You have a twin sister.

[Ilona]

I do.

[Host 2]

And your birthday is on Christmas.

[Emma Slater]

She's basically Jesus.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Wow.

[Ilona]

Oh, my God.

[Host 2]

I didn't think about that way.

[Ilona]

We didn't think about that.

[Alan Burson]

Christmas was always interesting because there's the two of us. My twin sister Kelly, she's amazing. She's a seamstress in London. Super talented, cool. And I just love her so much. We have like the best connection. And whenever we're together we laugh consistently. It's brilliant. And people like look it at at us, like, why are they laughing? And we resort back to our 16 year old selves. It's great. Christmas day. My parents did a really good job of separating Christmas in the morning, birthday in the afternoon. And we would get different presents. It wouldn't be just like, yours is a blue one and yours is a purple one. Even though that did happen a few times, it was really, really great. So I actually like having a birthday on Christmas.

[Host 2]

Really?

[Alan Burson]

I didn't used to, but now I'm kind of okay about it.

[Emma Slater]

I think it put a lot of pressure on your parents.

[Alan Burson]

It did.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, God. We gotta get them Christmas, Christmas presents and birthday presents.

[Host 3]

Yes.

[Alan Burson]

But then it's all done in one day.

[Emma Slater]

But I will say, because I gotta spend Christmas and Emma's birthday in England with her last year. And also I'm Jewish, so I don't know Christmas any other way. But the way like Advent calendars are massive in London.

[Alan Burson]

Are they? Yes. I put one over there.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, my God. Like, they have like 15 advent calendars at their house.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Cadbury Jolly. Like the little candies.

[Alan Burson]

No doubt. My mum has bought him an advent calendar.

[Ilona]

Are you going this year to England again?

[Alan Burson]

So we haven't told them yet. I just. We just figured it out that we don't think we can go because of the time.

[Emma Slater]

Robin and Julie, if you're watching this.

[Ilona]

Robin, Julie just figured it out.

[Emma Slater]

I said I would go. She doesn't want to go.

[Ilona]

No, it's not.

[Alan Burson]

Four days and four days. Fly to England.

[Host 3]

England.

[Alan Burson]

And then also then not. You know, we'd fly into London and then drive for two, two and a half hours. Two hours, something like that.

[Emma Slater]

You're familiar with English?

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. Yeah. It would just be really hard. So we just saw them recently and so we don't think we're gonna go for Christmas, unfortunately.

[Ilona]

So stay in la, have your own Christmas.

[Alan Burson]

We will spend it with potentially his family.

[Host 2]

Oh, yeah.

[Ilona]

Minnesota.

[Host 2]

Head to Minnesota.

[Emma Slater]

Yes. But it's so cold. I'm trying to convince everyone to go somewhere warm.

[Ilona]

Smart. Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Hey, guys, Dominican Republic would be nice, right?

[Alan Burson]

Yes.

[Ilona]

Because you guys are gonna do so Christmas and then you're doing tour. Which tour is non stop on a tour bus for months.

[Emma Slater]

It's long this year.

[Ilona]

Long.

[Emma Slater]

I think we go to May 13th.

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Oh, my God. Yeah.

[Ilona]

You guys in your little bunk beds?

[Alan Burson]

Yes.

[Ilona]

Just a couple of bunk beds across from each other. Yes.

[Alan Burson]

With Jeff.

[Host 2]

But you love it. Alona would come back and be like, they love it. They are doing what they love every single night. They get to dance, they get to travel. They like.

[Emma Slater]

And I'm with my baby and my dog. And like, it's so amazing that we do what we love. Dance in front of thousands of people every day. It's just fun.

[Alan Burson]

We like to travel in that sense. Like, going around and seeing America. For me, I mean, I'm not from here, I'm from England. So it's really cool to see America. We love coffee. He loves the gym.

[Emma Slater]

Coffee is great. But going to different cities and just exploring coffee shops. Yeah, it's so cool. Like, we. I don't think we're going there this year, but for many years we would go to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

[Alan Burson]

Are we not going this year?

[Emma Slater]

No. And like, it's. It's an Amish town. Like, it is awesome. And the coffee shops are unbelievable.

[Ilona]

Really?

[Alan Burson]

We had a conversation with a guy and he owns a coffee shop there. And we know Him. And we go to our favorite breakfast spots, like Pasha. I have to mention him. He's got this specific breakfast place he goes to in Lancaster.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

It's like, Pasha's a foodie, so he.

[Ilona]

Lancaster.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah. But we've been to these cities so many times. We're like, oh, we have to go here. Like, we wake up. There's a great coffee shop around the corner.

[Alan Burson]

Interesting.

[Emma Slater]

It's cool.

[Host 3]

You've got places in all cities around.

[Ilona]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Like, even remember, like, I've never been to Santa Barbara before. And this year, we went to Santa Barbara, and I was like, santa Barbara is awesome.

[Ilona]

We all went on a walk.

[Emma Slater]

We all went on that walk. That coffee shop was amazing.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. Did you go to the beach?

[Ilona]

Yeah, we walked there.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

But, like, going and exploring these cities.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

Is just so fun.

[Alan Burson]

You know where I wish we'd go is Vermont.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

You let us know.

[Alan Burson]

Yes.

[Host 2]

There.

[Alan Burson]

I really want to go.

[Ilona]

It's beautiful.

[Alan Burson]

I want to go because of you guys. And I want to go because of Noah Khan.

[Sponsor Voice]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Like, and the way he sings about it. I just want to go.

[Emma Slater]

I think the. The closest we're getting to is New Hampshire.

[Host 2]

That's not. Don't.

[Alan Burson]

It's not close.

[Emma Slater]

I never seen.

[Alan Burson]

I wonder if we can take a day off. Imagine if we could just drive there.

[Ilona]

All right, this is like. You ever seen those on the street.

[Host 1]

Where they're like, are you a couple?

[Ilona]

And then they ask questions.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

What do you love most about each other?

[Emma Slater]

Well, first of all, before we get into that.

[Ilona]

Some of them are for sure.

[Emma Slater]

There's no way that they just happen.

[Ilona]

To both pass by Val and Jen on the street. All right.

[Alan Burson]

I haven't seen these videos.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, it's like, meet cute or something, right?

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

Couples walking by, they go, are you a couple? And then they'll be like, what the heck's this guy doing? Like, yeah. And then he'll get into questions, and they get to bring up the relationship and talk about, you know, what they love about each other or what, you know? So what is it? What do you love most about each other?

[Host 2]

And you can't say. He has distressed shirts and apparel and.

[Ilona]

My model and his alien model look.

[Alan Burson]

For sure. His alien look. I think what I love most about Alan is we are very different, and I need someone who is. This is gonna sound very unromantic, but he is so practical and logical thinking, and he is so matter of fact. I do that because you know why? Sometimes his facts are, like, not factual. I love his Humor. It's so. I love to laugh. It's a really big thing to me to laugh in my relationship. But I love the fact that he really does show affection to me and he takes care of me and I love his heart and I can see it all the time. Even when he hides it or he's being shy or he is being any kind of different version that he needs to be. I can still see his heart. And I love that about him. It's really big. And he genuinely cares.

[Emma Slater]

Has big.

[Ilona]

Okay.

[Alan Burson]

I know. What the hell.

[Ilona]

You're one of the girls today. You're one of the girls that is. Emma really handles Al's humor so well.

[Alan Burson]

That.

[Ilona]

That was hilarious. That's hilarious.

[Host 2]

Keeping that it is funny.

[Emma Slater]

The thing I love most about Emma is. Have you seen her?

[Host 2]

Yeah. Real talk, real time.

[Ilona]

I put this on your post.

[Host 1]

Best butt in Dance with Stars.

[Ilona]

Best butt.

[Host 2]

When I first met you, when I was at the rehearsal studios and I first met you and I was like.

[Host 3]

Oh, this is Emma.

[Host 2]

I was like, when we left, I.

[Ilona]

Was like, that girl's got an ass. That's my dance. She's not going to show it now you feel, but just know it makes sense.

[Emma Slater]

Multiple BBL Cops.

[Alan Burson]

Multiple.

[Host 2]

It's got unreal shape.

[Ilona]

I've seen her working in the gym.

[Host 1]

It's not.

[Emma Slater]

No. I'm going to be honest. The fact that Emma cares so much about everyone. She's never met them before. She's going to care. She's going to try to help them out. Yeah, she helps me out so much. So on top of, like, just how beautiful our lives are and how like, romantic we can be and all that, she really wants me to be a better person.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

And I think that's important. You know, a thing that she does so well is also is she loves to learn. And I'm somebody that's so attracted to, like, passion and. And growth and wanting to be better. I'm. I'm really attracted to drive. And Emma does that all the time. Like, she just constantly is reading or. Or researching something. She got her real estate license for fun. She got her notary license for fun. She just likes to learn things. And it's so just like I'm. It's so like, attractive to see somebody getting progressing and getting better and learning, you know, she was like, I might go back to school or like, do those Harvard programs online where you just learn things. Like, that's cool. I'm going to just sit on the couch, watch TikTok for a second.

[Ilona]

But I'm hot for you about that.

[Emma Slater]

That's cool.

[Ilona]

That' Get Alan going on the laptop. He's like, you do one of those Harvard courses?

[Emma Slater]

Yeah. No, but for real, she's like, who gets a real estate license while you're on Dancing with the Stars during a season and on tour? That's just impressive.

[Alan Burson]

And thank you. That's really, really sweet.

[Host 2]

Thank you.

[Alan Burson]

That's awesome.

[Emma Slater]

And her butt.

[Ilona]

And her butt. I'm a butt.

[Host 1]

Beautiful, beautiful woman.

[Host 2]

You guys very much so enhance one another's lives. I think that's very beautiful.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah. I sometimes have to step out of my own way to, like. Because I can be very. I think it's a female thing to do to get things in order at home. And sometimes I deal with anxiety about, well, like, where's my life going? And, oh, did I make a mistake here? But I. When I just sit back and relax, and then I look over at Alan, I know he's got me. And it feels really nice because I haven't been able to relax so much in my life until I've, like, told myself, emma, you can, like, chill out and relax now. And it feels really good. That's because of you.

[Host 3]

Would you say your opposites attract in some things?

[Emma Slater]

Like, I feel like we have a lot of similarities, but in certain things, yes, we're opposite.

[Alan Burson]

I need opposite.

[Emma Slater]

Like, I do.

[Alan Burson]

I can't deal with another one of me.

[Emma Slater]

I think, again, we're so similar in certain aspects with, like, the passions and the drive and like, obviously with the art arts. But then, like, I am factual a lot. And she's. Okay, let's say this. I'm a lot unrealistic. She is a dreamer. Like, she will dream about all these scenarios. And I'm like, great, let's do something that's gonna happen.

[Ilona]

Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

And I think she helps me with the bigger picture, and I can help her with the smaller picture.

[Alan Burson]

Yes. He's more detail oriented, making things happen.

[Emma Slater]

And she's like, you need to do this. And I'm like, but how will it happen?

[Host 2]

Yeah, yeah.

[Emma Slater]

You know, so it's like, things like that really work well together. But I would say the biggest thing that, to me and Emma already touched on this is the humor. Like, we have so much fun together that, like, we'll look at it. Like, sometimes she's like, you gotta stop poking fun at me. But, like, I'll just. I'll poke fun at her, because I love that. But, like, in the best way of, like.

[Alan Burson]

Like, did you ever get that this.

[Emma Slater]

For Example, like, I'll tell Jeff, like, baby, I love you. And she's. Are you talking to me? I'm like, yeah.

[Alan Burson]

And then 10 times of. Of something where it's like, you know, I'm the butt of the joke. I'll be like, right, you've hit your threshold now. Threshold for the.

[Emma Slater]

Okay, that's enough.

[Alan Burson]

Nice things only.

[Emma Slater]

But, you know, but it's the fun. Like, to me, maybe it's that banter that's fun because, like, I. Like, if you make fun of me. If I make fun of you. What was it yesterday? There was a few yesterday.

[Host 3]

Wait, what?

[Emma Slater]

Well, about the talking.

[Ilona]

What'd you say?

[Host 2]

The veins in his forehead are popping, whatever it is.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, he caught me talking to myself. How dare you?

[Host 2]

That's how you get the answers you want.

[Emma Slater]

No, I know, but he wasn't.

[Alan Burson]

Uhhuh.

[Emma Slater]

I get answers, but I was like, looking at it.

[Alan Burson]

I was like, the face that he pulled was in pure disgust. And like, I can't believe it.

[Emma Slater]

Oh, no, I remember what it. I remember what it was. Okay. We were in the kitchen. She started talking about something and she went on three tangents, and I didn't say a word. I'm just listening. And she was like, yeah, and that's what I'm gonna do. I was like, I didn't say anything. You were like, having a conversation with yourself. As if I was responding. And it was so funny because she was like, I know. And we just bursted out into laughter. And I was like, I love this. Like, it can just be so lighthearted. And I was just, like, watching, I think.

[Alan Burson]

Was it about the pancakes you were making? Because they were really bad.

[Emma Slater]

It was. I was making protein pancakes.

[Host 2]

Awful.

[Emma Slater]

But yeah, it was.

[Alan Burson]

It's not a pancake, it's a crumble.

[Ilona]

Yeah, right, right, right.

[Emma Slater]

But it was so. Yeah, it's just. It's funny.

[Host 2]

Like, I love it.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, yeah. It's light hearted. And I think it's needed sometimes, but at the same time, we can have really deep conversations, and I think that's what gives it, like, purpose.

[Host 2]

Have you guys had an interview together before?

[Alan Burson]

Like this?

[Emma Slater]

He might be here first.

[Ilona]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah.

[Emma Slater]

T's tried, but you guys are.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, they keep reaching out.

[Ilona]

Oh, nice, nice, nice.

[Alan Burson]

Guys. This is so much fun.

[Ilona]

This is so good.

[Host 2]

Before you guys go, you're part of the family now. That means you need to help out around the house. We gotta do some chores. Do you want to sweep, do the dishes or do laundry?

[Emma Slater]

I'll do the dish. I'll do laundry online.

[Alan Burson]

You want to do laundry?

[Ilona]

Okay.

[Host 2]

Run it back for laundry today.

[Ilona]

What do we have?

[Host 2]

Share the last tik tok you saved.

[Emma Slater]

It's a long one. Okay. No, this is called the. It says giving my mom fake name of friends I invited over for Thanksgiving.

[Ilona]

Oh, I saw that one.

[Alan Burson]

Do you know who's coming?

[Ilona]

These are your friends? Yeah. I think you've met a few of them.

[Alan Burson]

I don't think I know any of these people, Mia. You don't?

[Emma Slater]

No.

[Ilona]

Mike.

[Alan Burson]

Who's Mike?

[Host 2]

Hawk.

[Ilona]

He's what? He. He worked with me at my old job.

[Alan Burson]

The one I had in high school.

[Ilona]

Who's Holden? Holden is so nice. Holden two dicks. Do I know him? This is the stuff Alan would say. This is met Lou.

[Alan Burson]

You know Lou?

[Host 3]

You know.

[Ilona]

You know Lou.

[Alan Burson]

I love this one. It's called the raw song.

[Emma Slater]

The pass is raw.

[Host 2]

Raw.

[Emma Slater]

Raw chicken. It's raw. Fucking raw.

[Host 2]

This is the most British thing you could have done.

[Host 1]

Right now.

[Ilona]

Choreographing a dance to that in your head.

[Host 1]

20 seconds.

[Emma Slater]

I'm shocked. This wasn't your TikTok dance with Andy.

[Alan Burson]

No, I actually want to do this, but like I would. I want to do it with you or Andy. But also Mark Ballas I think would kill me if I did it with anybody else because he. We're British and he loves Gordon Ramsay and we. We laugh about this song all the time. If I need to feel better about life, I put on cocoon. It's raw. And that's why I know the words well.

[Emma Slater]

I mean, the words are kind of easy.

[Host 3]

It's raw.

[Alan Burson]

Raw Carol. It's raw. Raw chicken.

[Host 1]

Beautiful.

[Host 2]

Thank you for helping around the house.

[Emma Slater]

She picked your chore, though.

[Ilona]

You know what I want.

[Host 2]

She picked your chore.

[Ilona]

Well, you know what I want for Christmas?

[Alan Burson]

What?

[Ilona]

For you motherfuckers to do a dance together. I send them songs every time. And I was like, this would be a great song. Got good songs. I've sent them many a song. All I want for Christmas.

[Alan Burson]

You know what's funny is you two.

[Ilona]

To choreograph a dance.

[Alan Burson]

No, we going to do one together.

[Emma Slater]

Message the same one to Emma.

[Ilona]

Cuz I usually message you both.

[Alan Burson]

Yes.

[Emma Slater]

And she said all I want for Christmas is you do to dance to this song.

[Ilona]

Can you imagine them dancing in this? I'll film she's.

[Alan Burson]

I'll be.

[Ilona]

I'll be the.

[Alan Burson]

If you want to support, admit that.

[Host 3]

I'll do that.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, we'll do that. We'll try to do that.

[Alan Burson]

And we'll make it like, you know, that one goes out to Alona. Yeah, that one goes out to you.

[Emma Slater]

So if we do that dance. Shout out, Alona. If we don't do that dance. Sorry, Ilona.

[Alan Burson]

Sorry. It'll probably be another song.

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

I'll send you more.

[Alan Burson]

You sent us a few.

[Host 1]

I have.

[Ilona]

I've sent you some other ones.

[Host 1]

And I was like, this would be really good.

[Host 3]

Yeah.

[Ilona]

You know, movie by Tom Mish.

[Alan Burson]

You sent that guy.

[Ilona]

That was a good one. I could see you two. I think you should just do more. Just do more dances in general together.

[Emma Slater]

We will know.

[Host 2]

We will.

[Ilona]

And like your own choreographed.

[Alan Burson]

We have one for the. For the. There were some people online that were like, you guys have not danced together all season, which is true. We do have. We haven't. Did you know that?

[Emma Slater]

No.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, we haven't. But we do have in the finale.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah, we have a. We have a dance.

[Ilona]

A tour number.

[Emma Slater]

Yeah.

[Alan Burson]

It's really pretty.

[Ilona]

It's above it, but I'm wearing like a full ballroom dress.

[Alan Burson]

I don't know if you know that.

[Emma Slater]

It's beautiful.

[Alan Burson]

Yeah, it's pretty.

[Emma Slater]

You guys would have just seen it like last night or whenever.

[Host 1]

Last week maybe.

[Host 3]

Last week.

[Host 2]

Perfect.

[Ilona]

Well, guys, thank you so much for joining the house of Mar. Of course. You're always welcome. You're a part of the fam now.

[Host 1]

That was amazing.

[Ilona]

Had so much fun spending time with you, Em and Alan. Good luck out there, Alan.

[Marshall's Narrator]

Thank you.

[Alan Burson]

Good luck.

[Ilona]

If you win, I. I'm gonna be happy. I will be. Like, damn. Thought I could do it with him, but hey, I want you to get that mirror but ball either way. Okay.

[Host 1]

You can follow Emma and Alan on Instagram, hemmaslater and Alan Burson.

[Emma Slater]

Do I have to put the in front of my name?

[Alan Burson]

No, I just. Emma Slater wasn't available. She's a horse rider. What?

[Ilona]

Yes, she's a horse. She's a whore.

[Host 3]

Well, thank you so much for coming over to the house of Ma a Wave original.

[Host 1]

Be sure to watch and subscribe on YouTube and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

[Host 2]

Plus, follow the show on social media houseofmar for clips and behind the scenes catch content. Thanks for coming over, guys.

[Emma Slater]

Bye.

[Alan Burson]

Thanks for having our first interview together. We love you.

[Emma Slater]

Thank you guys.

[Ilona]

Get out of here. Go dance.