'Dancing with the Stars' Pro Alan Bersten Responds to Kaitlyn Bristowe After She Claims He's 'Kind of a D---'

Alan Bersten (left) and Kaitlyn Bristowe.Photo:getty (2)Alan Berstenis refutingKaitlyn Bristowe’s claims about his behavior onDancing with the Stars.Earlier this month, Bristowe — who wonseason 29ofDWTSwith her partnerArtem Chigvintsev— discussed the professional dancer on an episode of herOff the Vinepodcastwith fellowBachelorettealumCharity Lawson, who is set to compete with Chigvintsev this season.“He’s kind of a d—, but I can see it,” Bristowe, 38, told Lawson, 27. “Well, they’re all d—s, They’re all d—s, I’m telling you. Buckle up.” She added that Bersten is “crazy in the ballroom.”On Wednesday, the 29-year-old ballroom dancer, who took home themirrorball trophywithThe Bachelorette’sHannah Brownin season 28, responded to Bristowe’s accusation. He denied her claims, emphasizing that he takes a “lot of pride” in his work and making his dancing partners feel comfortable.“First of all, I never danced with Kaitlyn, so I don’t know why that would even come up,” he toldUS Weeklyon Wednesday. “I take a lot of pride in my work and I make sure that above all else, my partners feel comfortable and confident in themselves.“Alan Bersten on the carpet for ‘Dancing with the Stars’.However, the ballroom champion also added that he “kind of” took Bristowe’s words as a compliment.TheBachelorettestar seemed to try to clarify her words on Saturday, calling Bersten one of her “closest friends” from the ABC series.“I can be a d—. We can all be d—s,” she wrote in a since-deleted post on herInstagramStory, in response to a question. “Alan is one of my closest friends from the show.““I have nothing but love and respect for him,” she continued. “I think it’s OK to be a d— and push people to believe in themselves and light a fire.“Kaitlyn Bristowe.Alexander Tamargo/GettyBersten is currently paired withZoey 101alum and singerJamie Lynn Spearsfor theupcoming seasonofDancing with the Stars.At the time her casting was announced onGood Morning America, Spears, 32, admitted that she wasn’tfully “ready” for the experiencebut had full intentions of donating her weekly earnings toSAG-AFTRA and the WGA amid their ongoing strike.“I don’t know if one can ever be 100% ready to take on something this big; I didn’t realize what a commitment it is, but it definitely is. I’m ready to challenge myself,” she said, later adding, “While everybody else in my community is on strike, I have this unique opportunity where I was offered a chance to work when my community cannot work. So I figured I’ll do this and I will donate my weekly salary… to just give back to them at a time where they can’t give back to themselves.“Jamie Lynn Spears attends FOX’s ‘Special Forces: The Ultimate Test’ on December 13, 2022.Emma McIntyre/GettyWith rehearsals underway, Bersten said the two had already bonded. “We had our first rehearsal and it was great,” he said. “Jamie Lynn is so hard-working and so dedicated and it’s actually so much fun. We get along so well.““He’s been wonderful,” Spears added. “My family got to meet him and he’s been great. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Season 32 ofDancing with the Starspremieres Tuesday, Sept. 26 on ABC, and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

Alan Bersten (left) and Kaitlyn Bristowe.Photo:getty (2)

getty (2)

Alan Berstenis refutingKaitlyn Bristowe’s claims about his behavior onDancing with the Stars.Earlier this month, Bristowe — who wonseason 29ofDWTSwith her partnerArtem Chigvintsev— discussed the professional dancer on an episode of herOff the Vinepodcastwith fellowBachelorettealumCharity Lawson, who is set to compete with Chigvintsev this season.“He’s kind of a d—, but I can see it,” Bristowe, 38, told Lawson, 27. “Well, they’re all d—s, They’re all d—s, I’m telling you. Buckle up.” She added that Bersten is “crazy in the ballroom.”On Wednesday, the 29-year-old ballroom dancer, who took home themirrorball trophywithThe Bachelorette’sHannah Brownin season 28, responded to Bristowe’s accusation. He denied her claims, emphasizing that he takes a “lot of pride” in his work and making his dancing partners feel comfortable.“First of all, I never danced with Kaitlyn, so I don’t know why that would even come up,” he toldUS Weeklyon Wednesday. “I take a lot of pride in my work and I make sure that above all else, my partners feel comfortable and confident in themselves.“Alan Bersten on the carpet for ‘Dancing with the Stars’.However, the ballroom champion also added that he “kind of” took Bristowe’s words as a compliment.TheBachelorettestar seemed to try to clarify her words on Saturday, calling Bersten one of her “closest friends” from the ABC series.“I can be a d—. We can all be d—s,” she wrote in a since-deleted post on herInstagramStory, in response to a question. “Alan is one of my closest friends from the show.““I have nothing but love and respect for him,” she continued. “I think it’s OK to be a d— and push people to believe in themselves and light a fire.“Kaitlyn Bristowe.Alexander Tamargo/GettyBersten is currently paired withZoey 101alum and singerJamie Lynn Spearsfor theupcoming seasonofDancing with the Stars.At the time her casting was announced onGood Morning America, Spears, 32, admitted that she wasn’tfully “ready” for the experiencebut had full intentions of donating her weekly earnings toSAG-AFTRA and the WGA amid their ongoing strike.“I don’t know if one can ever be 100% ready to take on something this big; I didn’t realize what a commitment it is, but it definitely is. I’m ready to challenge myself,” she said, later adding, “While everybody else in my community is on strike, I have this unique opportunity where I was offered a chance to work when my community cannot work. So I figured I’ll do this and I will donate my weekly salary… to just give back to them at a time where they can’t give back to themselves.“Jamie Lynn Spears attends FOX’s ‘Special Forces: The Ultimate Test’ on December 13, 2022.Emma McIntyre/GettyWith rehearsals underway, Bersten said the two had already bonded. “We had our first rehearsal and it was great,” he said. “Jamie Lynn is so hard-working and so dedicated and it’s actually so much fun. We get along so well.““He’s been wonderful,” Spears added. “My family got to meet him and he’s been great. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Season 32 ofDancing with the Starspremieres Tuesday, Sept. 26 on ABC, and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

Alan Berstenis refutingKaitlyn Bristowe’s claims about his behavior onDancing with the Stars.

Earlier this month, Bristowe — who wonseason 29ofDWTSwith her partnerArtem Chigvintsev— discussed the professional dancer on an episode of herOff the Vinepodcastwith fellowBachelorettealumCharity Lawson, who is set to compete with Chigvintsev this season.

“He’s kind of a d—, but I can see it,” Bristowe, 38, told Lawson, 27. “Well, they’re all d—s, They’re all d—s, I’m telling you. Buckle up.” She added that Bersten is “crazy in the ballroom.”

On Wednesday, the 29-year-old ballroom dancer, who took home themirrorball trophywithThe Bachelorette’sHannah Brownin season 28, responded to Bristowe’s accusation. He denied her claims, emphasizing that he takes a “lot of pride” in his work and making his dancing partners feel comfortable.

“First of all, I never danced with Kaitlyn, so I don’t know why that would even come up,” he toldUS Weeklyon Wednesday. “I take a lot of pride in my work and I make sure that above all else, my partners feel comfortable and confident in themselves.”

Alan Bersten on the carpet for ‘Dancing with the Stars’.

However, the ballroom champion also added that he “kind of” took Bristowe’s words as a compliment.

TheBachelorettestar seemed to try to clarify her words on Saturday, calling Bersten one of her “closest friends” from the ABC series.

“I can be a d—. We can all be d—s,” she wrote in a since-deleted post on herInstagramStory, in response to a question. “Alan is one of my closest friends from the show.”

“I have nothing but love and respect for him,” she continued. “I think it’s OK to be a d— and push people to believe in themselves and light a fire.”

Kaitlyn Bristowe.Alexander Tamargo/Getty

Bersten is currently paired withZoey 101alum and singerJamie Lynn Spearsfor theupcoming seasonofDancing with the Stars.

At the time her casting was announced onGood Morning America, Spears, 32, admitted that she wasn’tfully “ready” for the experiencebut had full intentions of donating her weekly earnings toSAG-AFTRA and the WGA amid their ongoing strike.

“I don’t know if one can ever be 100% ready to take on something this big; I didn’t realize what a commitment it is, but it definitely is. I’m ready to challenge myself,” she said, later adding, “While everybody else in my community is on strike, I have this unique opportunity where I was offered a chance to work when my community cannot work. So I figured I’ll do this and I will donate my weekly salary… to just give back to them at a time where they can’t give back to themselves.”

Jamie Lynn Spears attends FOX’s ‘Special Forces: The Ultimate Test’ on December 13, 2022.Emma McIntyre/Getty

Emma McIntyre/Getty

With rehearsals underway, Bersten said the two had already bonded. “We had our first rehearsal and it was great,” he said. “Jamie Lynn is so hard-working and so dedicated and it’s actually so much fun. We get along so well.”

“He’s been wonderful,” Spears added. “My family got to meet him and he’s been great. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Season 32 ofDancing with the Starspremieres Tuesday, Sept. 26 on ABC, and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.

source: people.com