Emma Slater speaks out on DWTS future amid retirement speculation

Emma Slater is speaking candidly about her future on Dancing with the Stars after more than a decade on the hit ABC dance competition.

The 37-year-old professional dancer, who joined the show in 2013, spoke with her season 34 partner Andy Richter on his SiriusXM podcast, Three Questions with Andy Richter, addressing rumors that she may be leaving the series.

“I had someone come up to me last week and they said, ‘Are the rumors true?’ I was like, ‘What rumor?’” Slater recalled. 

“They said, ‘Are you retiring this year?’ And I could see how a rumor like that would start, because they’re looking at me like, ‘She’s the old girl.’”

Slater emphasized that she plans to stay on the show as long as she can, but acknowledged concerns about whether her tenure will end on her own terms. 

“I would like it to be on my decision. But I’ve decided I’m going to expect to be there, and if and when they say I’m not invited anymore, I’ll conquer that when it happens,” she said.

The Dancing with the Stars veteran also reflected on the possibility of transitioning into a producing role in the future. 

“The brand is doing so well, and I like to produce. So maybe I’ll be like, ‘Make me a producer!’ or something,” she said.

Richter, 59, praised Slater’s work ethic and partnership on the show. “You’ve been to the mountaintop. Granted, we didn’t win a mirrorball, but f--- that mirrorball, we did much better than that,” he joked. 

Slater agreed, saying, “Getting to dance with you… I don’t know where I’m going to go from that. I don’t know how I’m going to get another season like that.”

When asked about her secret to success, Slater credited her approach to her celebrity partners. 

“I will embrace them and make my entire world about bringing them forward and making them feel amazing, and that’s probably the lifeline saving me,” she said.

Slater concluded that she intends to continue on DWTS as long as she feels authentic and comfortable. 

“As long as I feel authentic and comfortable, I want to go as long as possible. And then as soon as I feel like I’m going to be choked out, I’ll pull the ageism thing. This is what Hollywood does to women as they age!”