Emma Slater has no plans to leave Dancing With the Stars — despite rumors saying otherwise.
“I want to go through it as long as I can go for,” Slater, 37, said during a Tuesday, March 24, appearance on SiriusXM’s “The Three Questions With Andy Richter” podcast. “I have had the most incredible career.”
Slater said that someone “came up to me” last week and asked whether she was really retiring from the show.
“I could see how a rumor like that would be starting, because they’re looking at me like she’s the old girl,” Slater added.
Why Fans Think Emma Slater Hinted at Her Future on ‘DWTS’ With Cryptic Post
The professional dancer, who’s been on DWTS since 2012, noted that she doesn’t want to be forced off the show.
“I would like it to be on my decision, I think. But I’ve decided that 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,” Slater explained. “You put limitations on yourself saying, ‘Well, how many years do I have?’ I’m just gonna keep going.”
Once Slater doesn’t have “what they’re looking for” anymore, she still hopes to “stick around” in another role on the show.
“The brand is doing so well, and I like to produce,” she continued. “So maybe I’ll be — like, make me a producer or something.”
Slater also spoke candidly with podcast host Andy Richter, who was her partner during season 34 last year, about how she measured their “success” on the dance floor. (Richter wasn’t a technically good dancer but stole the hearts of viewers, keeping them in the competition.)
“Getting to dance with you, I’m being serious, that to me — I don’t know where I’m going to go from that,” Slater said. “I don’t know how I’m going to get another season like that.”
She added, “I’m going to embrace my next partner’s authenticity, their walk of life, everything about them, and that’s what I want to do.”
DWTS’ Emma Slater Debunks Rumor About Her Pairing With Older Contestants
Slater explained that her “secret” to success in the DWTS world is making her partner “feel amazing,” even if they might not be the best dancer.
“That’s probably the lifeline saving me,” Slater admitted. “I’m being super blunt. Because I’m kind of insecure about it. I would love to be like, ‘I’m hot and young, and my body doesn’t ache.’ It’s different.”
Slater also noted that she’s been able to make a career out of her social media, but not because she’s partaking in dance video trends.
“I like to be funny, and sometimes I like to be emotional, but I’m not doing the dance trends. It’s not necessarily my bag,” she said. “It just feels weird to me. So as long as I feel authentic and comfortable, I want to go as long as possible.”
Slater added, “As soon as I feel like I’m going to be chocked out, I’ll pull the ageism thing — ‘This is what Hollywood does to women as they age!’”
