Alan Bersten born May 26, 1994 is an American professional Latin and ballroom dancer. He competed on the tenth season of So You Think You Can Dance and is currently a professional dancer and choreographer on Dancing with the Stars. Bersten won season 28 of Dancing with the Stars with his celebrity partner, Hannah Brown, star of The Bachelorette.
Alan Bersten Biography 2025
Bersten began his Dancing with the Stars journey in season 20 as a member of the troupe. He continued in that role for four more seasons before making his debut as a professional partner in season 25. In season 22, during the second week of competition, Bersten stepped in to perform a salsa with Paige VanZant after her regular partner, Mark Ballas, sustained a back injury during rehearsals. Bersten learned the entire routine in just one day and performed it live the following evening. In season 24, Bersten also danced with Heather Morris for four weeks while Morris’s regular partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, was recovering from an injury. Bersten was promoted to professional partner in season 25, where he was paired with 1980s singer-songwriter and Broadway actress Debbie Gibson. They were eliminated in the second week, finishing in 12th place. Bersten was also featured on the official promotional poster for that season alongside fellow cast member Sharna Burgess.
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Alan Bersten Biography Details
Born
26 May 1994 (age 30)
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.
Occupation(s)
Dancer, choreographer
Years active
2013 – present
Height
6 ft (183 cm)
Alan Bersten Early Life
Bersten was born and raised in Minnesota, and his family heritage is Russian Jewish. He began dancing at the age of seven. In 2018, while on tour with Dancing with the Stars, Bersten began experiencing severe stomach pain. A blood test revealed signs of a tumor on one of his parathyroid glands, diagnosed as hyperparathyroidism. He underwent surgery the following day to remove his left parathyroid gland. Despite the surgery, Bersten returned to work after just one week of recovery.
Alan Bersten Bio
Category
Details
Birth Date
May 26, 1994
Birthplace
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.
Heritage
Russian Jewish
Early Dance Start
Age 7
Health Challenge
In 2018, diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism, had surgery to remove a parathyroid gland and returned to work after a week of recovery.
Dance Career Journey on Dancing with the Stars
Season
Partner
Placement
Key Events
Season 20
N/A
Troupe Member
Joined DWTS as a member of the troupe.
Season 22
Paige VanZant
Guest Dancer
Stepped in for Mark Ballas due to injury and performed salsa on short notice.
Season 25
Debbie Gibson
12th
Debut as professional partner, eliminated early.
Season 26
Mirai Nagasu
4th
Reached 4th place after being eliminated in the third week.
Season 27
Alexis Ren
4th
Made it to the finals, finished in 4th place.
Season 28
Hannah Brown
1st
Winner of DWTS season 28.
Alan Bersten Progression and Achievements on Dancing with the Stars
Key Achievement
Details
Promotion to Professional
In Season 25, Bersten became a professional partner.
First Victory
Won Season 28 with Hannah Brown, taking the Mirrorball Trophy.
Troupe Member
Began as part of the DWTS troupe in Season 20.
Final Placement
4th place in Season 27 with Alexis Ren and Season 30 with Amanda Kloots.
Highest Placement
Winner of Season 28 with Hannah Brown.
Season 25 Partnered with Debbie Gibson
Week
Dance / Song
Judges’ Score
Total
Result
1
Foxtrot / “Lost in Your Eyes”
6, 5, 6
17
No Elimination
2
Quickstep / “This Is My Time”
7, 7, 6
20
Eliminated
Season 26 Partnered with Mirai Nagasu
Week
Dance / Song
Judges’ Score
Total
Result
1
Salsa / “No Excuses”
7, 8, 8
23
Safe
2
Foxtrot / “It’s a Small World”
9, 9, 9
27
Safe
3
Quickstep / “BO$$”
9, 9, 9
27
Eliminated
Season 27 Partnered with Alexis Ren
Week
Dance / Song
Judges’ Score
Total
Result
1
Jive / “Good Golly, Miss Molly”
7, 7, 7
21
Safe
5
Foxtrot / “Just Around the Riverbend”
10, 9, 10
29
Safe
9
Argentine tango / “Swan Lake Suite”
9, 10, 9
28
Safe
Season 28 Partnered with Hannah Brown
Week
Dance / Song
Judges’ Score
Total
Result
1
Cha-cha-cha / “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”
7, 7, 7
21
No Elimination
4
Paso Doble / “I Love It”
8, 8, 8
24
Safe
11
Viennese Waltz / “Lover”
10, 10, 10
30
Winner
Alan Bersten Career Highlights
Category
Achievement
DWTS Wins
Winner of Season 28 with Hannah Brown.
DWTS Finals
4th place in Seasons 27 and 30 with Alexis Ren and Amanda Kloots.
Troupe Member
Started in the DWTS troupe in Season 20.
DWTS Juniors Victory
Won the first season of DWTS: Juniors in 2018.
Alan Bersten Mentorship on DWTS Juniors
Week
Dance / Song
Judges’ Score
Total
Result
1
Salsa / “Light It Up”
8, 7, 7
22
Safe
9
Salsa / “Light It Up”
10, 10, 10
30
Winners
Alan Bersten Health and Challenges
Year
Health Event
Outcome
2018
Hyperparathyroidism diagnosis and surgery
Returned to work after one week of recovery.
DWTS Partner Highlights
Season
Celebrity Partner
Key Performance
Result
Season 25
Debbie Gibson
Foxtrot / “Lost in Your Eyes”
Eliminated 12th
Season 28
Hannah Brown
Viennese Waltz / “Lover”
Winner
Season 29
Skai Jackson
Salsa / “Work It”
Eliminated 5th
Dance Styles and Versatility
Dance Style
Description
Latin
Specializes in Cha-cha, Salsa, and Argentine Tango.
Ballroom
Expertise in Foxtrot, Paso Doble, and Quickstep.
Contemporary
Performed contemporary routines with various celebrity partners.
Competitions and Placements
Season
Partner
Placement
Season 25
Debbie Gibson
12th
Season 28
Hannah Brown
1st (Winner)
Season 29
Skai Jackson
5th
Season 32
Jamie Lynn Spears
13th
Alan Bersten Dedication and Commitment
Key Factor
Description
Work Ethic
Known for adapting quickly to challenges, such as stepping in for injured partners.
Commitment
Maintains a strong focus on training, choreography, and performance in each season.
A Rising Star in the Dance World
Category
Achievement
Rising Talent
Became a standout performer on DWTS with each new season.
Professional Mentorship
Guided junior dancers to success in DWTS: Juniors.
Alan Bersten Fun Facts and Trivia
Fact
Detail
Early Start
Began dancing at the age of 7.
DWTS Milestone
Known for his ability to choreograph and perform complex routines on short notice.
Alan Bersten Net Worth
Alan Bersten’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million.
Alan Bersten Summary
Alan Bersten’s career on Dancing with the Stars has been marked by remarkable achievements, including his victory in Season 28 with Hannah Brown. From his early days as a troupe member to becoming a professional partner and later winning the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, Bersten has showcased his versatility and dedication to the craft. His health challenges and quick recovery, as well as his ability to mentor young dancers on DWTS: Juniors, highlight his resilience and commitment to the art of dance. Whether it’s performing challenging routines with celebrities or guiding others to victory, Alan Bersten continues to make his mark in the dance world.
