Emma Slayter of DWTS
Emma Slater: Dancing Through the Notes
For Emma Slater, music wasn’t just a career—it was a heartbeat that pulled her from the dance floor into a symphony of rhythm and ambition. Growing up in Tamworth, England, her primary motivator was the way music fueled her passion for dance, a spark ignited watching her parents twirl to old records. She once said it was the melodies that “made her feet itch to move,” a restless energy that eventually turned into a lifelong pursuit.
Born on December 25, 1988, Emma Louise Slater started as a competitive ballroom dancer, twirling her way through local competitions by age 10. Her talent blossomed at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she honed her craft alongside future stars. By 16, she was touring with dance troupes, but it was her leap into choreography and performance that tied her to music’s pulse. She married fellow dancer Sasha Farber in 2018, blending their shared love for movement and sound into a creative partnership.
Emma’s career took flight when she joined Dancing with the Stars in 2012 as a pro dancer, waltzing into America’s living rooms. While not a traditional band member, she’s collaborated with musical acts like the DWTS house band, choreographing alongside artists like Michael Bublé and Pitbull (a synergy that sparked tabloid rumors of camaraderie). Her bandmates of sorts—fellow pros like Derek Hough and Mark Ballas—formed a tight-knit crew, though her spotlight shone brightest solo. TV credits include Good Morning America and The Ellen DeGeneres Show, showcasing her charisma beyond the ballroom.
Awards? She snagged a Dancing with the Stars Mirrorball Trophy in Season 24 with Rashad Jennings, a testament to her musical storytelling through dance. Her “biggest hits” aren’t songs but routines—think her sultry “Samba” to Santana’s “Oye Como Va” (written by Tito Puente), the emotional “Contemporary” to Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” (Smith/Hague), or the jazzy “Foxtrot” to Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” (Anka/Revaux). Controversy? A rumored rift with co-star Cheryl Burke in 2020 fizzled fast, leaving her legacy as a dancer who let music lead the way unscathed.
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