Emma Slater (born December 25, 1988) is an English-American professional dancer and choreographer. She is best known for her appearances on Dancing with the Stars.
Personal life
Emma Slater was raised in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England, where she joined local stage schools by taking part in numerous productions at an early age. She has a twin sister, Kelly, a costume designer and stylist on Dancing with the Stars. At the age of 10, Slater started her training in ballroom and Latin American dance. In the early years of competing, she won a number competitions in England. At 15, she appeared in a George Michael music video "Round Here" produced by Bikini Films on location in London. Later that year, Slater took part in the fitness video "Latinasize" again filmed at the Pinewood Studios in London England. She dated fellow Dancing with the Stars member Sasha Farber from 2011 to 2014. In December 2015, Farber made a post on his Instagram account confirming that he and Slater were back together. On 4 October 2016, Farber proposed to Slater during a broadcast of Dancing with the Stars. Slater married Farber on 25 March 2018, with fellow Dancing with the Stars pros Lindsay Arnold, Witney Carson, and Jenna Johnson serving as bridesmaids, and Derek Hough serving as one of Farber's groomsmen. She became an American citizen in December 2020. In April 2022, Slater and Farber separated; she filed for divorce in February 2023.
Competitive dancing
Slater has numerous titles to her name. In 2005, at the age of 16, she won the British Under 21 Latin American Championships at the Blackpool Closed 2005. She won the 2006 United Kingdom Under 21 Latin American Championships at the Bournemouth Pavilions, England. Ranked in the world's top 10, Slater went on to represent the UK in competitions around the world.
Theatre
At 16, Slater joined the hit theatre show ‘Simply Ballroom’ touring UK, including Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London's West End, United Arab Emirates and South Africa. While in South Africa, Slater appeared on Dancing with the South African Stars with her celebrity partner TV Host Dalen Lance. Following Simply Ballroom, Slater had an extended run in London's West End with theatre shows; Dirty Dancing at the Aldwych Theatre where she was the Principal Latin Dancer/Ballroom Supervisor, but also understudied and played the principal role of Lisa Houseman, ‘Cheek to Cheek’ at The Coliseum and ‘Latin Fever’ at the Peacock Theatre.
In 2009, Slater joined the stage show Burn the Floor for the China tour initially, but later joined the cast for an extended run at the Longacre Theatre on Broadway New York City and a world tour covering: Belgium, Holland, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Canada, New Zealand, West End London, a nine-month USA multi-city tour. She also danced and advised on UK's ITV Popstar to Opera Star on a number of occasions.
Mamma Mia!
In 2008, Slater was featured in the Universal Pictures movie Mamma Mia! starring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth, directed by Phyllida Lloyd – this included singing on the Grammy nominated soundtrack for the movie with the cast, produced by ABBA. The movie was shot in part on the Greek island of Skopelos but primarily inside Pinewood Studios London.
Dancing with the Stars
In March 2012, Slater joined the fourteenth season on the American edition of Dancing with the Stars as a troupe dancer, where she danced and choreographed all of the opening dance numbers including the finale. Later that year, she choreographed Usher at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas including partner work with co-choreographer and also troupe member, Sasha Farber.
After three seasons of being a troupe member, she was announced as one of the new female professional dancers for the seventeenth season of the show in September 2013. Her celebrity partner was award-winning comedian, singer and actor, Bill Engvall. Despite receiving low scores from the judges for most of the season, they were able to reach the finals but were eliminated at the end of the first night, landing them in 4th place. For season 18, she returned as a professional dancer partnered with movie actor Billy Dee Williams. Due to a back injury on Billy Dee, they withdrew from the competition on Week 3. For season 19, she was paired with race-car driver Michael Waltrip and they finished in 7th place. For season 20, she paired with LMFAO singer Redfoo but on week 2, they were the first couple eliminated. For season 21 she paired with Vine star Hayes Grier. They were eliminated on Week 7 and finished in 8th place. Slater did not participate in Season 22 of the reality show.