DWTS Alan Bersten Interviewed On Debbie Gibson, Becoming A New Pro, And More

In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, new pro Alan Bersten talks of his new partner Debbie Gibson and everything she’s been through including Lyme Disease most recently. Because of it, they’ve had to tread carefully in rehearsals for Dancing With The Stars. Below is more, but, be sure to see the link as he talks of what it feels like becoming a new Pro this season.

“Debbie has been through Lyme disease, so she’s on the recovery, health wise, and to me it’s just inspirational that she even signed up for the show,” said Bersten, who was previously a member of the ABC reality competition’s dance troupe and has been promoted to a professional competitor for season 25. “It’s one thing to heal from a disease like Lyme disease, where it’s excruciating on your body, but another thing to do it on live television, so it’s very inspirational that she’s even trying to do this. She’s inspiring me — and hopefully Americans who are going to be watching — to get up and really try to get back to the good place in your life.”

Since being diagnosed four years ago, Gibson has been fighting the bacterial infection, which is primarily transmitted by deer ticks and can cause flu-like symptoms, rashes, joint and muscle pain and limb weakness. The illness can cause major debilitation and is frequently misdiagnosed.

Bersten shared that her illness means the pair have had to tread carefully when it comes to rehearsals for the show, “so she doesn’t get injured [or hurt] her muscles,” he said. “She has a physician with her, who works on her whenever she feels pain. But we can’t rehearse for four hours a day every day, so we have to work smarter instead of harder.”

While challenging, Bersten said he “thinks every challenge comes with a reward and hopefully we’ll have a nice reward on Monday!”

Despite the added hurdles the pair are facing in the competition, Bersten noted how Gibson has remained upbeat, energetic and positive.

“She is literally the most joyful person to be around,” he gushed. “When we’re rehearsing, it just flies by because we’ve had so much fun. She’s been having concerts for these past few days, so we don’t have much time for rehearsals though.”