Alan Bersten Excited for Robert Irwin’s Performance on Season 34 of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ and Regrets Not Being His Dance Partner

Alan Bersten never stops moving. After an incredible Dancing With The Stars Tour, the dance pro already has his sights set on his next project: RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon, produced by New York Road Runners (NYRR). “Luckily, from dancing l have very good stamina and am in good shape,” said Bersten. Bertsten does not mind being on the road. After 88 shows in 69 cities, the dance pro is ready for more. “For me, touring has never gotten tiring or strenuous. I felt so lucky every day to be able to perform with my friends for the fans.” He added: “I can’t wait for next season because it’s a blessing.”

Bersten was also on hand at Hulu and ABC’s “Get Real” event where it was announced that animal expert/ conservationist Robert Irwin would be the first celebrity contestant on Dancing With The Stars Season 34, following in his sister Bindi’s footsteps. “He’s gonna do amazing. He’s just such a nice guy,” said Bersten. “I’m sad that I won’t get to dance with him myself.” Even though they won’t be partnered together, Bersten knows that Irwin will have a friend in Jeff, Bersten’s beloved Brussels Griffon. “I love being a dog dad,” Bersten admitted.

Bersten and his fellow Dancing With The Stars dancers are more popular than ever —and he should know. He’s been around since Season 20 as a troupe dancer before being upgraded to a dance pro in Season 25. Bersten attributes the show’s growing fanbase to TikTok. Thanks to his Season 33 partner/Olympian Ilona Maher, Bersten understands the appeal of social media more than ever. “Ilona taught me that social media is a way for people to connect with you on an everyday level,” explained Bersten. “It’s great that dance has such a big platform now.”

DECIDER spoke to Bersten over Zoom to chat about the DWTS tour, his half-marathon training, his attempts at viral TikTok dances, and more.

DECIDER: After a whirlwind Dancing With The Stars tour, you’re gearing up for the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon! Do you ever rest?

ALAN BERSTEN: I’m gonna take a little downtime after this half marathon [laughs]. Honestly, I like staying active. So, for me, this is just fun. Running is a lot different and more worthwhile when you actually have a goal. I’m very excited for that.

Obviously, you’re in amazing shape. How do you prepare to go from the dance floor to running 13.1 miles?

I don’t know if I prepared well enough [laughs]. Luckily, from dancing l have very good stamina and am in good shape. Running uses different muscles in your legs. I’ve just been trying to follow an interval training plan of long runs and short runs. I definitely messed up with the shoes. I didn’t get carbon-plated shoes like I should have. I just have regular like everyday runners, but they’re fine. My legs feel good. Next time though, I’ll be ready.

Do you have a pre-run meal and a post-run meal already planned?


I’m always afraid to eat before the run, so my pre-run meal is going to be some electrolytes and a gel. My post-run meal is going to be more fun. Since I’ll be in New York, I’m definitely going to get a bagel. One of my favorite places is Brooklyn Bagels, so I’ll get one with lox there. And maybe some pizza [laughs]. Who knows? I’m just gonna do whatever I want.

Jeff, your beloved Brussels Griffon, has plenty of fans on social media. Did he help you with training?

Running after him definitely helps. I’m just so lucky. He is the best dog. Sorry to everyone else who has dogs, but Jeff is the best. I’m so happy with him. I love being a dog dad.

The tour for Season 33 of DWTS seemed bigger and better than ever before! How would you describe the experience?

I think this whole season in general was bigger and better than ever . The audience really connected, not only to the show, but to everyone. The reaction we got from everyone on tour was amazing. We did 88 shows in 69 cities. For me, it never got tiring or strenuous. I felt so lucky every day to be able to perform with my friends for the fans. I can’t wait for next season because it’s a blessing.

Robert Irwin was recently announced as the first celebrity contestant of DWTS Season 34. How do you think he’s gonna fare?

He’s gonna do amazing. He’s such a nice guy and is in great shape. I’m sure he’s taking dance lessons now. You just wanna root him on. So I’m sad that I won’t get to dance with him myself [laughs]. He’ll do very well, I believe.

I’m sure Robert and Jeff will become fast friends.

[Laughs] Absolutely! I’m gonna make sure to bring Jeff around a lot when Robert’s there.

Social media has really become important to the DWTS fan base. How much time do you spend on TikTok looking at dances? How does that factor into your day?

I’m chronologically online. I scroll on TikTok. The biggest trend right now is a ballroom dance move. It’s like the whisk. So that’s cool. Ilona taught me that social media is a way for people to connect with you on an everyday level. That’s really important. It allows people to connect in ways that they would never have been able to before. It’s great that dance has such a big platform on social media now. That definitely changed the show because we get more viewers and a younger audience and the brand lives on. I try to do some of the viral dances, but I’m not the best at them. I’m putting out whatever I want.

Now that you mention Ilona, did she have training or fitness regimens that you can incorporate into your routine going forward?

One of the coolest things about Ilona is that she maintains that she is “not just a rugby player.” That really resonated with me. A lot of people look at me and go, “oh, he’s just a dancer.”[Laughs] I am a lot more than a dancer. Running the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon is an opportunity for me to express myself through another physical activity. I’m doing things for myself. I want to take dancers out of this box of being just dancers, and competing in this race is a great step in that direction.