Alan Bersten Reacts to Robert Irwin Joining ‘DWTS’ Season 34
Pro dancer Alan Bersten is all for Robert Irwin joining the cast of Dancing With the Stars season 34.
“I think it’s probably the best person they could have announced. He’s so popular right now and he’s just such a good person to be on the show,” Bersten, 30, exclusively told Us Weekly of his reaction to the casting news, while promoting his partnership with Cesar. “There’s videos of him from 10 years ago just sitting there in awe of his sister [Bindi Irwin] and now he gets a chance to do it. It’s really good. I’m really excited.”
ABC announced earlier this month that Robert, 21, will compete for the mirrorball trophy a full decade after his sister won the coveted hardware with Derek Hough during 2015’s season 21. (Robert was 11 when Bindi competed at age 17.)
While it’s not known which DWTS pro will teach Robert how to foxtrot, cha cha and jive, Bersten has some ideas.
Bindi Irwin Reacts to Brother Robert Irwin Joining ‘DWTS’ Season 34
“I feel like every girl is so good. I genuinely don’t know,” he told Us of his ideal partner for the Australian conservationist. “I feel like Emma [Slater], Rylee [Arnold and] Dani [Karagach]; they’re all so good. People want to see Britt [Stewart] with him. I don’t think you can go wrong with Robert, so anyone he’s given is going to do really well.”
As for Bersten, he also doesn’t know who he’d be partnered up with for season 34, though he does have a list of more than a few dream stars in mind.
“I say this all the time, but I also don’t want to say somebody, then I get them and then they’re not good,” Bersten quipped. “I think there’s some really good people. I think Jennifer Love Hewitt would be great. She’s awesome.”
He added, “You don’t want to go too big, [but] Beyoncé would be great, but I don’t know if she’ll do the show. There’s a lot of people that you hope would do the show [who] are not only big names, but they care about doing the show.”
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According to Bersten, his dream scenario would be to have Ilona Maher “come back” for another season. (Bersten and the Olympic rugby player, 28, came in second place during season 33 last year.)
“I want somebody who just wants to be there and takes it with everything they have,” Bersten added. “I want somebody who wants to be in rehearsals every day.”
That being said, Bersten does admit that he can be “competitive” when it comes to clinching the Len Goodman Memorial Mirrorball Trophy. (He previously won with Hannah Brown during 2019’s season 28.)
“I want to make sure that my partners and I do well. I mean, if I’m paired with Robert, I will do well, but it’s important to just have fun during it all,” he added. “I think that’s something that [my dog] Jeff has taught me is to just enjoy life a little bit more, go to more dog parks, eat more Cesar Warm Bowls, you know, the simple things in life.”
Bersten partnered with Cesar in support of the brand’s latest microwavable dog food.
“The food’s amazing for Jeff. He loves it,” he gushed. “So to me it was an easy yes, easy partnership, and I’m really happy about it.”
Along with the launch of the Cesar Warm Bowls, the dog food brand is hosting a “Cesar Spin” sweepstakes.
“Everyone can do it. It’s on TikTok and on Instagram and there’s going to be prizes. They have a chance to win a $3,000 gift card, some fun experiences for their pup and a one-year supply of Cesar Warm Bowls,” Bersten added. “So, listen, not only do you get a dance with your best friend, you also get a chance to win something.”
