Emma Slater Pens Emotional Message In Bikini-Clad New Year Post

Emma Slater is closing out the year with honesty, confidence, and a powerful message of self-reflection. The "Dancing With the Stars" pro dancer shared a striking bikini photo on Instagram alongside a deeply personal caption, opening up about boundaries, healing, and choosing herself as she looks ahead to 2026. In the photo, Slater stands poolside at what appears to be a modern tropical resort, wearing a colorful, patterned bikini that highlights her toned physique. With palm trees swaying in the background and crystal-blue water just behind her, the dancer smiles subtly at the camera while wearing dark sunglasses and layered gold jewelry. The relaxed setting and natural light give the image an effortless vacation vibe, matching the reflective tone of her caption.

Alongside the photo, Slater shared a lengthy message explaining that her birthday at the end of the year often prompts her to reflect on her life. She candidly admitted that in recent years she struggled with people-pleasing and a lack of boundaries, which eventually caught up to her.

“My birthday lands right at the end of the year, so naturally I do a lot of reflection and some healthy assessment of my values around this time,” she wrote. “In recent years, I have struggled. I didn’t really know what I was doing; all the years of people pleasing and having zero boundaries caught up to me.”

She went on to explain that learning to listen to her own needs has been a long journey, but one that has brought her peace.

“It’s taken years, but now I have found such peace in backing myself. I’m my own best friend now,” Slater shared, adding that she hopes others will also choose themselves in the coming year. “I hope in 2026 you can drop serving people who don’t serve you, and I hope in 2026 you choose you.”

Slater closed her message by expressing excitement for the year ahead and gratitude for the support she continues to receive. “Thank you so much for my birthday wishes and happy happy happy new year. I’m excited for you,” she concluded.

The comments section quickly filled with love from fellow celebrities and fans alike.

Lindsey Arnold praised the dancer, writing, “Stunning beauty.” Kelsey Anderson showed her support in the comments, while Alan Bersten kept it simple with, “HOT.” Jennifer Affleck also chimed in with words of encouragement, adding to the wave of admiration surrounding the post.

Slater also gave fans a glimpse into how she celebrated her birthday, sharing sun-soaked moments from a getaway to Mexico with her boyfriend, Alan Bersten. In one standout photo, the "Dancing With the Stars" pro is seen wading into the ocean as waves crash around her, wearing a colorful bikini and embracing the carefree energy of the moment.

The beachside snap captures Slater mid-step in the surf, arms slightly outstretched as she smiles toward the water, radiating joy and ease. The vibrant blue ocean and open sky create a postcard-worthy backdrop, matching the celebratory tone of her birthday trip. According to her caption, the getaway was filled with meaningful moments and quality time, as she described it simply as “some moments from my bday yesterday having an amazing trip in Mexico.”

Slater also shared a playful video from the trip that gave fans a candid look at her beachside adventures with boyfriend Alan Bersten. In the clip, the couple is seen standing in the ocean as waves crash around them, with Bersten holding a bright orange boogie board while Slater clings to him from behind, laughing as the surf rolls in. Slater added a humorous caption to the video, writing, “He bloody left me to fend for myself lol."

Between the bikini pics and the beachside laughs with Alan Bersten, Emma Slater rang in her birthday and the New Year, and definitely turned heads doing it.