DWTS Veteran Emma Slater Puts Exit Rumors to Rest for Good
Dancing with the Stars fixture Emma Slater is shutting down exit chatter, insisting she’s not leaving the ballroom anytime soon. A mainstay since 2013, she calls her run an incredible ride — and says there’s more to come.
At this point, 'Dancing with the Stars' pro Emma Slater has basically become part of the ballroom furniture. So naturally, fans panic whenever a rumor pops up suggesting she's about to waltz off into the sunset. Turns out, Emma is just as surprised as the rest of us about all the retirement talk, and she's not planning to hang up her dance shoes anytime soon.
Emma Slater on Quitting Rumors: Not Happening
Recently, Emma dropped by 'The Three Questions with Andy Richter' podcast, where she addressed the whispers head-on. When Richter brought up the exit rumors, Emma was practically blindsided.
'I was like, "What rumor?" They said, "Are you retiring this year?" And I could see how a rumor like that would be starting, because they’re looking at me like, "She’s the old girl."'
If you do the math, she's been with DWTS since 2013, which makes her a ten-year veteran. That might be a record in reality-competition years, but Emma's not exactly limping across the dance floor. She made it clear she's still having 'the most incredible time' on the show, and she’ll keep going 'as long as I can go for.' Fair enough.
Emma's Future Plans (and Contingency Plans)
For now, Emma’s planning to stick around until someone tells her otherwise. In her words: she’d 'like it to be on my decision.' Her plan is to just keep expecting a call for the next season. If and when that ever changes, she’ll cross that bridge then.
But Emma’s already got the backup plan ready—if she ages out of the dance floor, Hollywood-style, she joked she'd 'pull the ageism thing.' As she put it: '"This is what Hollywood does to women as they age!"'
And if she’s not invited back as a pro? No hard feelings, apparently. She’d want to stick around in some other role—producing, maybe. That’s one way to stay in the game.
Quick Bio: Slater’s DWTS Highlights
- Joined 'Dancing with the Stars' in 2013
- Won the competition in 2024 alongside Rashad Jennings
- Previous partners include James Van Der Beek, Drew Scott, Charles Oakley, and Trevor Donovan
So to recap, Emma isn’t going anywhere right now—unless production has other ideas. But if they do try to edge her out, she’s got a speech about Hollywood ageism ready to go (and honestly, she isn’t wrong). Ballroom fans, you've likely got more Emma content headed your way.