Alan Bersten Dancing with the Stars: From Minnesota Kid to Mirrorball Champion

Before the sparkling costumes and standing ovations, Alan Bersten Dancing with the Stars champion was simply a laid-back kid from Minnesota with rhythm in his soul. The young boy pictured above, casually relaxing at home at age 7, would eventually transform into one of America’s most celebrated professional dancers, winning the coveted Mirrorball Trophy and captivating millions of viewers with his extraordinary talent and charismatic personality.

Born and raised in the quiet suburb of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars journey represents an inspiring story of passion and perseverance. This childhood photo captures a moment of innocence before his rise to fame as a professional dancer who would eventually lift the Mirrorball Trophy alongside his celebrity partner Hannah Brown in Season 28 of the hit competition show.

Alan Bersten’s Minnesota Roots

Long before Alan Bersten Dancing with the Stars fame, his story began in the peaceful Minneapolis suburb of Minnetonka, Minnesota. In this midwestern community, young Alan developed the foundation of character and work ethic that would later serve him well under the bright lights of television’s most popular dance competition.

The childhood photo captures Alan at age 7, relaxing in his family home – a stark contrast to the disciplined, technically precise dancer who would later impress judges and audiences on Dancing with the Stars. Born into a supportive family that encouraged artistic expression, Alan’s natural rhythm and movement abilities were apparent from an early age.

During these early years in Minnesota, Alan’s parents noticed his natural affinity for movement and rhythm. Their decision to enroll him in dance classes would set the stage for an extraordinary journey from suburban kid to television dance star. What began as a childhood activity would eventually transform into a professional career that would inspire aspiring dancers nationwide.

Early Dance Journey and Training

While many professional dancers begin training in early childhood, Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars path is distinguished by his remarkable progression from casual lessons to professional competitions. His natural talent was undeniable from the beginning, allowing him to advance quickly through increasingly complex techniques across multiple dance styles.

By his teenage years, Alan had already begun competing in national ballroom dance competitions. His dedication to mastering his craft involved thousands of hours of practice, transforming what started as an after-school activity into a serious athletic and artistic pursuit that would eventually lead him to Dancing with the Stars.

These formative years were essential in developing not just Alan’s technical dance abilities, but also his performance quality and audience connection – skills that would become his trademark on the Dancing with the Stars stage. His rapid development from Minnesota kid to professional dancer demonstrates the power of natural talent when combined with exceptional dedication.

Breakthrough on Dancing with the Stars

Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars journey officially began in 2015 when he joined the show’s troupe – the ensemble dancers who perform in group numbers and production pieces. This initial position gave Alan invaluable experience with the show’s unique format and production style while allowing him to learn from established professionals.

For several seasons, he refined his skills behind the scenes, adapting his technical training to the entertainment-focused style that makes DWTS so popular with television audiences. This apprenticeship period proved crucial for understanding the delicate balance between artistic dance execution and audience-friendly performances.

After proving himself as a reliable and talented ensemble performer, Alan received his big break in 2017 when he was promoted to professional dancer status on Dancing with the Stars. This elevated role meant being paired with a celebrity contestant, choreographing weekly routines, and competing for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

The transition from background dancer to featured professional represented a significant milestone in Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars career, placing him firmly in the spotlight and introducing his choreographic vision and teaching abilities to millions of viewers across America.

Notable Celebrity Partnerships

Throughout his tenure as a professional on Dancing with the Stars, Alan Bersten has been paired with several notable celebrities, each partnership showcasing different aspects of his teaching ability and choreographic versatility.

Among his most memorable partnerships was his pairing with model and social media personality Alexis Ren, with whom he demonstrated exceptional chemistry and technical ambition. Their performances consistently impressed the judges and audiences alike, highlighting Alan’s ability to craft choreography that challenges his partners while showcasing their strengths.

Another significant partnership in Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars career came when he was paired with country music star Jessie James Decker. This collaboration allowed him to explore different dance styles that complemented her musical background, creating memorable performances that resonated with country music fans and showcased Alan’s versatility as a choreographer.

Each of these partnerships contributed to Alan’s growth as both a dancer and teacher, allowing him to develop an adaptable approach that customizes choreography to each celebrity’s unique abilities and learning style. This versatility and attention to his partners’ strengths would prove crucial in his championship season with Hannah Brown.

The Championship Season with Hannah Brown

The pinnacle of Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars career came during Season 28, when he was paired with former Bachelorette star Hannah Brown. Their partnership would prove to be the perfect combination of technical excellence, emotional performance, and audience connection needed to secure the championship.

Throughout the season, Alan crafted choreography that skillfully highlighted Hannah’s natural grace while pushing her to grow as a dancer. Their performances consistently earned high scores from the judges, but more importantly, they connected deeply with the viewing audience through their authentic partnership and evident growth throughout the competition.

The championship represented more than just a competition win for Alan – it validated his years of hard work, from childhood lessons in Minnesota to professional performances on national television. It also firmly established him as one of Dancing with the Stars’ most talented and popular professional dancers with a bright future ahead.

This victory marked the complete transformation from the chillaxin’ Minnesota kid to ballroom dance champion, a journey that continues to inspire fans and aspiring dancers who see themselves in that relaxed young boy from Minnetonka who achieved his dreams through passion and dedication.

Evolution from Kid to Champion Dancer

Looking at the childhood photo of Alan Bersten relaxing on his living room floor, it’s remarkable to consider the complete transformation he’s undergone. From a carefree 7-year-old in Minnetonka, Minnesota to a Dancing with the Stars champion, his journey embodies the extraordinary power of passion, discipline, and perseverance in pursuit of artistic excellence.

This evolution wasn’t just physical – though the contrast between the relaxed child and the precisely postured professional dancer is striking. It also represents a mental and emotional development, building the confidence, artistic sensibility, and competitive spirit necessary to succeed at the highest levels of dance and entertainment.

What makes Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars story particularly compelling is how he’s maintained a connection to his roots while achieving television stardom. Friends and family often remark that despite his success, Alan remains the same humble, hardworking person he’s always been – just with better dance moves, a devoted fan base, and a Mirrorball Trophy to his name.

Alan Bersten’s Growing Dance Legacy

As Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars career continues to evolve, his impact on the dance world grows increasingly significant. Beyond his competitive achievements, Alan has become an ambassador for ballroom dance, introducing new audiences to this art form through his television appearances, social media presence, and dance workshops.

His teaching style, characterized by patient encouragement balanced with appropriate challenges, has inspired many of his followers to pursue dance themselves. Through workshops, masterclasses, and digital content, Alan has extended his influence beyond the television screen, sharing his passion for dance with aspiring performers across the country.

For young dancers, especially those from small towns like Minnetonka, Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars journey represents the possibility that with dedication and talent, even the highest levels of success are attainable. The contrast between his childhood photo and his current status serves as a powerful reminder of dance’s transformative potential in a person’s life.

As Dancing with the Stars continues to evolve as a cultural phenomenon, Alan Bersten has established himself as one of the program’s defining talents, carrying forward the tradition of excellence while bringing his unique style, personality, and midwestern work ethic to each performance and partnership.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alan Bersten

From a relaxed kid in Minnesota to ballroom dance royalty, Alan Bersten’s Dancing with the Stars journey is a testament to the transformative power of following your passion with dedication and perseverance. The striking contrast between his childhood photo and his current status as a champion dancer reminds us all that extraordinary achievements often begin with ordinary childhoods and big dreams.

The next time you watch Alan perform his precisely choreographed routines on the Dancing with the Stars stage, remember the relaxed young boy pictured at the start of this article – a powerful reminder that champions aren’t always born, but sometimes simply emerge from regular kids with extraordinary dreams and the willingness to work tirelessly to achieve them.