Longtime fans of “Dancing With the Stars” may remember when Priscilla Presley graced the ballroom floor with her professional partner Louis van Amstel during season 6 in 2008. While the duo didn’t make it far in the competition, having the wife of Elvis Presley grace the reality TV series was memorable nonetheless.
Now, nearly two decades later, Presley is looking back on her time on the show, even revealing how she truly felt about working alongside her pro partner.
Priscilla Presley Looks Back at Her Time on DWTS With Pro Partner Louis van Amstel
GettyDuring a speaking engagement in Las Vegas (via Us Weekly), Priscilla Presley shared rare reflections on her experience competing on “Dancing With the Stars.” In the conversation, she revealed unexpected details about her time working alongside professional dancer Louis van Amstel.
“I could not wait to get kicked off that show,” she began. “I was so nervous because … my partner, who I liked very much, was in a new relationship with another guy.”
Presley reflected on challenges behind the scenes, noting that her rehearsal time with van Amstel was shortened in half compared to other competitors who would train for six hours a day, because he “wanted to get back home early” due to “a new relationship.”
Because of this, she expressed disappointment over the limited practice, suggesting that with more time, they might have advanced further in the competition.
“He had a date, and he wanted to get this and that, and I was a little bit frustrated because he put that before us. I felt we could have done a lot better,” she added.
Despite this, Presley admitted that she had a “fun” experience on the show. She and van Amstel placed 8th that season.
“I like challenges,” she said. “I didn’t know how to dance that well. I mean, I did like dancing, but I thought, ‘You know what, I’m gonna go in for it and do it, and I think it’ll be fun.’ Yeah, still nerve-wracking,” she added.
Van Amstel Revealed His Favorite DWTS Partner
GettyAlthough Presley wasn’t quite too happy about van Amstel cutting their rehearsal time short, they appear to be on good terms.
When van Amstel returned to the show’s 20th anniversary special in 2025 as one of the original professional dancers, he gushed about Presley, sharing with Us Weekly, “What an amazing woman, and [out of] all my celebrities, I see her the most,” he shared, adding, “We always have dinner when I come to Los Angeles, and what a quality woman [she is].”
Van Amstel was a pro from seasons 1-3, 6, 9-12, 15, 21, and 31. With so many seasons under his belt, he named his season 9 partner, Kelly Osbourne, as his favorite to work with.
“That was a journey for the books,” he shared when speaking about their time in the finale that season. “That not only affected her, but it also affected me profoundly. It affected so many people who watch the show. Her weight loss was secondary, but seeing her blossom from the ground up to a princess. I just love her and her family so much,” he added.
Van Amstel’s best finish in his DWTS career came with Osbourne, when the pair placed in third in season 9.
