Emma Slater often gets paired with older male partners on Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) due to casting choices rather than her personal preference or planning. There is a rumor that because she is also a choreographer for the DWTS live tours, she gets paired with male stars who are less likely to advance far in the competition, often older contestants. However, Emma herself has debunked this rumor, clarifying that she does not plan or choreograph the tour pairs and the casting decisions are not controlled by her. Fans have noticed she has had older partners like Reginald VelJohnson (72 years old) and Andy Richter (58 years old) in recent seasons, which has sparked discussions and sympathy from viewers who hope she gets younger or stronger partners. Emma's partners' ages and the casting patterns seem to be industry decisions and the nature of the celebrity casting pool rather than anything about her specifically. Despite the older partners, Emma maintains her professionalism and enthusiasm, and sometimes these older partners bring personality and a unique presence to the show that factors into their pairing.
