Emma Slater Bio: Age, Career, Dancing with the Stars & More
Emma Slater is a British-American professional dancer, choreographer, and television personality. She gained international recognition through ABC’s popular competition series Dancing with the Stars.
Born on December 25, 1988, Emma grew up in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England. She developed a passion for dance at a young age. Eventually, her dedication helped her build an impressive career in ballroom and Latin dance.
Emma joined the professional cast of Dancing with the Stars in 2013. Since then, she has become one of the show’s familiar professional dancers.
Most importantly, Emma achieved a major career milestone in 2017. She won the Season 24 Mirrorball Trophy with former NFL player Rashad Jennings.
As of 2026, Emma continues her career on Dancing with the Stars. ABC lists her as a professional dancer for Season 35, where she partners with Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson.
Emma Slater Age and Birthplace
Emma Slater is 37 years old as of September 2026. She was born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England.
Her full name is Emma Louise Slater. She celebrates her birthday every year on December 25.
Emma spent much of her childhood in Tamworth. She also grew up alongside her twin sister, Kelly Slater.
Kelly later developed a career connected to fashion and costume design. Meanwhile, Emma focused strongly on professional dance.
Emma’s British upbringing influenced her early dance training. However, her career eventually took her across Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, and the United States.
Emma Slater Early Life
Emma started dancing when she was young. According to Disney’s biography, she began dancing around the age of five.
She initially studied ballet at a local stage school. Later, she discovered Latin and ballroom dancing.
Emma started competing in Latin and ballroom dance at age ten. She quickly showed strong potential in competitive dancing.
Her early training required discipline, athletic ability, and consistent practice. Therefore, Emma built the foundation for her future television career during childhood.
At just 15, she appeared in a George Michael music video. That opportunity gave her valuable experience in professional entertainment.
Emma Slater Dance Career
Emma developed an impressive competitive dance career before joining American television.
In 2005, she joined the stage production Simply Ballroom. The production toured several countries, including the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.
During this period, Emma continued developing her competitive skills. She also represented England in international ballroom competitions.
She won the 2005 British Under 21 Latin American Championship in Blackpool. The following year, she won the 2006 UK Under 21 Latin American Championship in Bournemouth.
These victories established Emma as a rising young dancer. She also reached the world’s top 20 in the Under 21 Latin category.
Additionally, Emma gained valuable theatrical experience. She appeared in productions connected with London’s West End.
Her credits included Dirty Dancing, where she worked as a principal Latin dancer and ballroom supervisor. She also appeared in other dance productions.
Emma Slater and Burn the Floor
Emma expanded her international career by joining Burn the Floor.
The production gave her another opportunity to perform for audiences around the world. She also performed with the production on Broadway.
This experience strengthened her stage presence. It also exposed her to demanding professional choreography and live performance.
Emma’s work outside television helped shape her later approach to ballroom competition. She learned how to combine technical precision with entertainment.
Consequently, she became well prepared for the challenges of Dancing with the Stars.
Emma Slater and Dancing with the Stars
Emma joined Dancing with the Stars during the show’s professional dancer era. She initially worked as part of the troupe before becoming a full professional partner.
She later received celebrity partnerships and developed a reputation for creative choreography.
Emma’s career reached a defining moment during Season 24. She partnered with former NFL running back Rashad Jennings.
The pair steadily improved throughout the competition. Their performances earned strong scores and helped them reach the finale.
On May 23, 2017, Jennings and Slater won the competition. They defeated fellow finalists David Ross and Normani Kordei.
The victory gave Emma her first Mirrorball Trophy as a professional dancer. It also marked an important milestone in her television career.
Her Season 24 victory remains one of the biggest achievements of her Dancing with the Stars career.
Emma Slater’s Dancing with the Stars Partners
Emma has worked with several celebrities during her years on Dancing with the Stars.
Her partners have included athletes, actors, entertainers, and television personalities. Each partnership has challenged her to create choreography around different personalities.
However, her partnership with Rashad Jennings remains particularly important. Their victory established Emma as a championship-winning professional.
In Season 34, Emma partnered with comedian Andy Richter. ABC listed Richter as her celebrity partner for that season.
The partnership gave Emma another opportunity to showcase her teaching and choreography skills.
Emma Slater Season 35 Partner in 2026
Emma continues to compete on Dancing with the Stars in 2026.
ABC currently lists Jackson Olson as her Season 35 celebrity partner.
Olson plays second base for the Savannah Bananas. He also built a substantial following through social media and Banana Ball entertainment.
The partnership brings together two performers from very different backgrounds. Emma contributes professional ballroom experience, while Olson brings athletic ability and entertainment skills.
Season 35 will premiere on September 15 and 16, 2026, with a two-night event. The season will air on ABC and stream through Disney+.
Therefore, Emma remains an active and important member of the DWTS professional lineup.
Emma Slater and Sasha Farber
Emma Slater’s personal life has also attracted significant public attention.
She previously married fellow professional dancer Sasha Farber. The two met through the Dancing with the Stars dance community.
Their relationship developed over several years. Farber proposed to Emma in 2016 during a live Dancing with the Stars episode.
The couple married on March 25, 2018. They later separated in 2022.
Emma filed for divorce in 2023. The divorce became final in May 2024.
Both dancers continued their professional careers after their separation.
Their relationship remains a notable part of Emma’s biography. However, her career has continued to develop independently.
Emma Slater Career Beyond Dancing with the Stars
Emma’s career extends beyond television competition.
She has performed on stage, worked as a choreographer, and appeared in entertainment projects. Her early credits also include a role connected with the film Mamma Mia!
Her extensive stage experience helped her develop strong performance skills. Furthermore, her competitive background gave her technical expertise.
Emma also works as a dance educator. She has participated in dance conventions and shared her professional knowledge with aspiring dancers.
Tremaine Dance Conventions lists Emma among its faculty members. It describes her as a dancer and choreographer with ballroom expertise.
Therefore, Emma has built a career that combines television, choreography, teaching, and live performance.
Emma Slater Dance Style
Emma specializes in ballroom and Latin dance.
Her performances often combine technical ballroom foundations with theatrical presentation. She also adapts choreography to suit each celebrity partner.
This flexibility has helped her work effectively with celebrities from different backgrounds.
Emma understands that professional ballroom requires more than learning steps. A successful performance also requires timing, musicality, expression, confidence, and partnership.
As a result, she often focuses on helping celebrity partners become comfortable performers.
Her competitive background also gives her a strong understanding of technique. That experience helps her create challenging routines while maintaining entertainment value.
Emma Slater Achievements
Emma has collected several important achievements throughout her dance career.
Some of her notable accomplishments include:
- 2017 Dancing with the Stars champion
- Season 24 Mirrorball Trophy winner with Rashad Jennings
- 2005 British Under 21 Latin American Champion
- 2006 UK Under 21 Latin American Champion
- International ballroom competitor representing England
- Professional Dancing with the Stars dancer
- Broadway performer with Burn the Floor
- West End performer
- Professional choreographer and dance educator
Her 2017 victory remains her most recognizable television achievement. Meanwhile, her early championship wins demonstrate her competitive credentials.
Emma Slater Nationality
Emma Slater has British roots and later became a British-American public figure.
She was born and raised in England before establishing her professional career in the United States.
Her international career has therefore influenced her identity as a dancer. She has represented England competitively while building her television career in America.
This international background also helped her develop a broad performance perspective.
Emma Slater Net Worth
Emma Slater’s exact net worth remains difficult to verify through reliable public records.
Various websites publish different estimates. However, those figures often lack official financial documentation.
Therefore, it is better to avoid presenting an unverified number as fact.
Emma earns income through professional dancing, television work, choreography, appearances, and dance-related opportunities.
Her long-running Dancing with the Stars career has also increased her visibility and professional opportunities.
Emma Slater Social Media and Public Profile
Emma maintains a strong public profile through social media and entertainment appearances.
She regularly shares dance-related content and professional updates. Her online presence also allows fans to follow her Dancing with the Stars journey.
Social media has become especially important for professional dancers. It helps them connect with audiences beyond television broadcasts.
Emma’s popularity has continued through multiple generations of Dancing with the Stars viewers.
What Is Emma Slater Doing Now?
As of September 2026, Emma remains active on Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
She is partnered with Jackson Olson, the Savannah Bananas baseball player.
The new season gives Emma another opportunity to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Earlier in 2026, Emma also addressed speculation about retirement. She said she wanted to continue dancing for as long as possible.
Her comments show that she remains committed to professional dancing.
Consequently, fans can expect Emma to remain an important part of the ballroom world for the foreseeable future.
Why Is Emma Slater Famous?
Emma Slater became famous through her work as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars.
However, her career began long before American television.
She trained from childhood, competed internationally, performed on stage, and worked on Broadway.
Her Season 24 Mirrorball Trophy victory helped establish her as one of the show’s successful professional dancers.
Moreover, her longevity has strengthened her reputation within the franchise.
Her combination of technical ability, choreography, personality, and teaching skills continues to make her popular with viewers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emma Slater
How old is Emma Slater?
Emma Slater is 37 years old as of September 2026. She was born on December 25, 1988.
Where was Emma Slater born?
Emma Slater was born in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, England.
Is Emma Slater a professional dancer?
Yes. Emma Slater is a professional dancer and choreographer specializing in ballroom and Latin dance.
When did Emma Slater join Dancing with the Stars?
Emma joined the Dancing with the Stars professional team in 2013. She initially appeared as a troupe member before becoming a professional partner.
Did Emma Slater win Dancing with the Stars?
Yes. Emma won Season 24 with Rashad Jennings in 2017.
Who is Emma Slater’s partner in 2026?
Emma’s Season 35 partner is Jackson Olson, according to ABC’s current cast listing.
Was Emma Slater married?
Yes. Emma married fellow Dancing with the Stars professional Sasha Farber in 2018. Their divorce became final in 2024.
What is Emma Slater known for?
Emma is best known for her work as a professional dancer and choreographer on Dancing with the Stars.
Final Thoughts on Emma Slater
Emma Slater has built an impressive career through discipline, talent, and international dance experience.
She started training as a child and eventually competed at elite levels.
Later, she performed on major stages before moving into American television.
Her partnership with Rashad Jennings produced her first Dancing with the Stars championship. However, her career involves much more than one Mirrorball Trophy.
Emma has continued performing, teaching, choreographing, and competing.
Now, in 2026, she begins another Dancing with the Stars season with Jackson Olson.
Her journey demonstrates how consistent training can create opportunities across entertainment.
Emma Slater remains one of the recognizable professional dancers in the modern Dancing with the Stars era.
