Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSlater loves that there\u2019s \u201ca lot more positivity\u201d nowadays around embracing different body types, which she was thrilled to see on the SI Swimsuit Runway, too.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time I\u2019ve opened up and been vulnerable about [insecurities], I\u2019ve always had such a heap of support rushing in. It\u2019s really made me feel stronger about sharing that, and feeling better and good about myself. And I do,\u201d she exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u201cA few years ago, it probably would have been hard for me to walk the runway, I\u2019m not gonna lie. I think I would have felt very insecure, but thankfully, I\u2019ve done a lot of work on myself and I now feel really comfortable. So that\u2019s honestly the biggest takeaway I got from this, is that I must have really grown in my mindset because I was able to do that and feel really comfortable with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, the good thing about Sports Illustrated is, I feel like there were a lot of different body types represented on the runway,\u201d she continued, \u201cand that just even more makes me feel so hopeful in the fact that the beauty standards are being challenged to some of the damaging standards that we\u2019ve seen in the past. I think that\u2019s really refreshing.\u201d<\/p>\nSlater was joined on the runway by fellow \u201cDWTS\u201d pros Jenna Johnson and Britt Stewart, along with troupe member Hailey Bills (pictured above together on the red carpet). Getty Images for Sports Illustrated<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cWhen we found out about it, it was an immediate \u2018yes\u2019 for all of us,\u201d the former mirrorball champion gushed to Page Six Style. \u201cWe\u2019ve all got a very special bond.\u201d Courtesy of Emma Slater for Page Six<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSlater told us it also helped to surround herself \u201cwith the right people\u201d leading up to the milestone moment, like her boyfriend, Alan Bersten, who was cheering her on ever since she booked the gig.<\/p>\n
And in person at the event, Slater was joined by fellow \u201cDWTS\u201d pros Jenna Johnson and Britt Stewart, along with troupe member Hailey Bills, who all walked in the show.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we found out about it, it was an immediate \u2018yes\u2019 for all of us. It\u2019s great to do things together. We\u2019ve all got a very special bond,\u201d Slater shared. \u201cAnd all the ladies [in the show] were really welcoming and lovely. I feel like even in such a short period of time, I made some friends. It was nice.\u201d<\/p>\nDuring the star-studded fashion event, the ladies also performed alongside fellow pro Val Chmerkovskiy (as seen above). Getty Images for Sports Illustrated<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSlater told us that due to rain, the group danced barefoot on wet Plexiglass, which was really challenging. Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAdditionally, Val Chmerkovskiy made a special appearance, leading the ladies in a choreographed number. While his signature knee walks<\/a> certainly made headlines, so did an unfortunate onstage slip-up that was caught on camera<\/a> between him and Slater. However, like the true pros they are, the two quickly got up and re-filmed the dance section without missing a beat.<\/p>\n\u201cYou won\u2019t see that [on the live show] because we ran through the dance a couple of times,\u201d Slater revealed, noting that they were dancing on wet Plexiglass due to rain that day. \u201cWe [performed] without shoes because we had a better grip, but it was still really, really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat you saw there was basically a product of all the dancers trying to grip their feet,\u201d she added. \u201cI got with Val and I think the floor just got away from him. Right after that, it got away from me, too, so we both just went down.\u201d<\/p>\nAt one point, Chmerkovskiy and Slater both took a tumble \u2014 but quickly recovered like true pros. Getty Images for Sports Illustra<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\u201cLucky for us, we really just laughed about it,\u201d the choreographer explained. \u201cWe thought it was pretty funny.\u201d Getty Images for Sports Illustra<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSlater clarified that no one was injured and credited Chmerkovskiy, 40, for being \u201csuch a perfect gentleman\u201d in that moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe felt really bad, and he was trying to make me feel good. I think he probably also tried to catch me when I was falling; he\u2019s just a very solid dance partner like that,\u201d she continued. \u201cBut lucky for us, we really just laughed about it<\/a>. We thought it was pretty funny.\u201d<\/p>\nThe SI Swimsuit Runway Show \u2014 also featuring Alix Earle, Bethenny Frankel, Brooks Nader, Ilona Maher, Maura Higgins and more<\/a> \u2014 will be available for streaming beginning June 9 on Hulu and Disney+.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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