Emma Slater shared an emotional tribute to her “Dancing with the Stars” Season 28 partner, James Van Der Beek, a little more than a week after his death. The beloved actor died Feb. 11 at age 48 after a battle with cancer. In a new social media post, Slater revealed that the loss was still extremely difficult for her to process.
On Feb.19, Slater shared photos and videos to Instagram that showed her and Van Der Beek rehearsing for DWTS when they were partners in 2019.
“Missing you a little harder today ❤️🫶🏻,” the pro dancer captioned the post.
She also made a poignant vow to Van Der Beek in the comment section. “My heart hurts with all the love I have for you there. Will dance every day for you James,” Slater wrote.
Emma Slater Said James Van Der Beek Needed DWTS
Slater and Van Der Beek were frontrunners during their season of DWTS, but they missed making it to the finals and landed in fifth place.
While on the ABC ballroom show, Van Der Beek revealed that his wife, Kimberly, suffered a miscarriage while pregnant with their sixth child. Slater later credited DWTS for helping Van Der Beek cope with that difficult time.
“He needed the show,” Slater told People magazine at the time. “He said to me, ‘I need the show. I’m grateful to have an outlet and to have a form of physical expression and keep that engine to keep me going. I need to feel normal and not fall into the pit.’”
The Van Der Beeks eventually welcomed their sixth child, son Jeremiah, in October 2021.
In November 2024, Van Der Beek confirmed that he had been privately battling colon cancer. At the time, he told People magazine that he was optimistic for his outcome “with the support of [his] incredible family.”
Emma Slater Posted a Lengthy Tribute to James Van Der Beek Following His Death
GettyShortly after Van Der Beek’s death was announced, Slater posted her favorite photo from their DWTS days to her Instagram page. After describing the actor as a “brother,” the dancer wrote, “We got to have these beautiful years sharing life together. It started with being dance partners and I was beyond excited to be dancing with you, and it continued into the deepest of friendships. You, Kimberly, and the kids became family, and I found so much purpose in our little community. Watching your love for your family changed my life.”
Slater also expressed gratitude for being able to spend time with Van Der Beek three days before his death and to tell him for “the millionth time” how much she loved him.
“We laughed together. And I promised I would feel your presence always, as I already have,” the DWTS pro wrote. “Thank you ❤️.”
