If you’ve spent any time watching Dancing with the Stars, you know the ballroom isn’t just about the Fox Trot or the Argentine Tango. It’s about the chemistry. And for over a decade, Emma Slater and Sasha Farber were the undisputed golden couple of the DWTS floor. When Sasha dropped to one knee during a live broadcast in 2016, millions of us watched through tears. It felt like a fairy tale.
But then, the rings came off.
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The internet went into a tailspin. Fans were dissecting every Instagram post, looking for clues in the background of dance rehearsals. Honestly, the real story of Emma and Sasha DWTS history is way more nuanced than just "they broke up." It’s a story about two people who realized they wanted different lives but refused to lose the friendship that started it all.
The Breakup No One Wanted to Believe
It started with a whisper. By early 2022, fans noticed a chill on social media. No anniversary posts. No cozy photos. The couple, who had been together since 2011 (with one brief break in 2014), seemed to be living parallel lives.
The official separation happened in April 2022.
Emma eventually filed for divorce in February 2023, citing the standard "irreconcilable differences." But what does that actually mean for two people who still spend eight hours a day together in a rehearsal studio?
It wasn’t about a lack of love.
That’s the part people get wrong. Emma opened up on the Viall Files podcast, and she was pretty blunt about it. She said the split was "about kids." Sasha was ready. He wanted to be a dad. Emma, while she does want children, wasn't ready to start that journey right then.
She didn't want to hold him back.
Think about that for a second. It’s a level of maturity most of us can’t even fathom. To love someone enough to let them go so they can find the person who wants exactly what they want, right now? That’s heavy.
Working With Your Ex: A Total Nightmare?
Most of us would rather jump into a pit of glittery vipers than work with our ex-spouse every single day. Yet, Emma and Sasha did exactly that. During Season 31, 32, and 33, they were right back in the ballroom.
They choreographed together.
They cheered for each other.
They even toured the country on a bus together.
Sasha recently mentioned in an interview that he doesn’t see her as "the woman he was married to" anymore. He sees her as a friend. Basically, they’ve managed to strip away the romantic baggage and keep the foundation. It helps that they were friends long before they were a "power couple." They met on the set of Burn the Floor on Broadway back in 2009. That’s a lot of history to throw away over a divorce decree.
The Alan Bersten Factor
Things got interesting recently. In late 2025, Emma went public with her relationship with fellow pro Alan Bersten. They were spotted kissing on the DWTS tour and eventually "hard-launched" on Instagram.
You’d expect drama, right?
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Nope. Sasha actually commented on Emma’s post about Alan being a finalist in Season 33. He’s been nothing but supportive. He even joked that he’s "not not friends" with Alan. It’s almost frustratingly mature. In a world of messy celebrity divorces, these two are out here providing a blueprint for how to handle a split without setting the house on fire.
Why the Emma and Sasha Story Still Matters
We’re obsessed with them because they represent a very real struggle. You can be perfect for someone on paper, you can have a "perfect" marriage, and you can still grow apart.
- Timeline Mismatch: One person is ready for a family; the other is focused on their career.
- Professionalism: They proved that you can keep your job and your dignity while your personal life is in the tabloids.
- The "Friendship First" Rule: Because they started as friends, they had something to fall back on when the marriage dissolved.
The divorce was finalized in May 2024, closing the legal chapter of their marriage. But the "Emma and Sasha" era of Dancing with the Stars isn't over—it’s just transformed. They are still the pros everyone looks up to. They are still the ones creating the magic we see on Tuesday nights.
If you’re navigating a breakup or trying to figure out how to stay friends with an ex, look at their journey. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being honest. Emma admitted she felt "resistance" toward the traditional path Sasha wanted. Instead of faking it, she spoke up.
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Next Steps to Follow Their Journey:
To keep up with how they’re handling their new dynamic, keep a close eye on the official Dancing with the Stars social media accounts during the off-season. Emma and Sasha often share behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage that shows their collaborative process. You can also listen to Emma's guest appearance on the Viall Files for a deeper look into her perspective on self-growth and "dating herself" before moving on. For the most accurate updates, always look for direct quotes from their verified Instagram profiles rather than speculative fan theories on Reddit.