Ilona Maher’s DWTS partner Alan Bernsten branded ‘very mean’ by ex contestant

Ilona Maher’s professional partner on Dancing With The Stars, Alan Bernsten, has been branded ‘very mean’ by a former contestant.

While the 28-year-old rugby player is currently competing on the show with Bernsten, his former partner from a previous season called him out for “yelling at her.”

Amanda Kloots, 42, claimed Bernsten, 30, was harsh on her during their rehearsals when she talked about her experiences on the competition show.

“He was very mean to me,” The Talk co-host said on Tuesday’s episode of the series Boyfriend material with Harry Jowsey podcast.

However, she attributed Bersten’s attitude to his upbringing, saying she believed it was due to the fact that he “grew up speaking Russian” and “grew up in that dance atmosphere.”

Kloots — who said she got the “blessing” from her late husband Nick Cordero to find love again after visiting psychic mediums — said he acted the way he did because he saw “potential” in her.

While the rugby union player, 28, is currently competing on the show with Bernsten, his former partner from a previous season called him out for the way he ‘screamed at her’

“He saw a lot of potential in me, and he saw that we could possibly win this thing,” she explained on Jowsey’s podcast.

When he “yelled” at her during their practice time, she remembered how she hid her feelings and pretended it didn’t bother her.

“I would just bottle it up and we would just dance, and I would just be raging inside,” she recalled.

Kloots also said she believed Bersten has changed since then.

“I think Alan has matured a lot in the last few years,” she said.

“I’ll say this, and I know he’ll agree with me: I’ve helped him become a nicer person in teaching.”

The reality TV personality, who started her career in entertainment as a dancer on Broadway and in the Rockettes, previously competed on the ABC series in 2021.

Kloots eventually reached the final with Bersten, but ultimately finished fourth.

Amanda Kloots, 42, claimed Bernsten, 30, was harsh on her during their rehearsals when she talked about her experiences on the competition show; still pictured in September 2021 on DWTS

“He was very mean to me,” she said on Tuesday’s episode of the Boyfriend Material podcast with Harry Jowsey; pictured November 2021 in Los Angeles

Former basketball player Iman Shumpert won the season with JoJo Siwa in second place and Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby in third place.

Kloots previously shared insight into her journey on the dance competition show during a conversation with Katie Couric.

“I think the hardest part about Dancing With The Stars for me was definitely the stress of learning a brand new dance every week and needing to be ready for the show, perfect for a performance in six days,” she said in November 2021 .

“Every dance is different because the technique is different, the style is different, what makes the dance unique is different,” she continued.

“So to learn it, feel good about it, and then feel ready enough to execute it was exhausting both mentally and physically.”

She attributed Bersten’s attitude to his upbringing, saying she believed it was due to the fact that he “grew up speaking Russian” and “grew up in that dance atmosphere.” Kloots said he acted the way he did because he saw “potential” in her; still pictured in October 2021 on DWTS

When he “yelled” at her during their practice time, she remembered how she hid her feelings and pretended it didn’t bother her. Kloots also said she believed Bersten has changed since then; pictured 2021 in DWTS portrait

Despite all that, she said there were silver linings as if her son was encouraging her.

“It was really cute because he kind of came along with me on the journey,” she said.

‘And I got into it and then started to really enjoy watching me and Alan dance. He also started pointing Alan out, which was really cute.”

Bersten just competed with Maher on the semi-final episode of Dancing With The Stars.

Bersten and Maher were one of five couples to make it through the round and possibly advance to the Season 32 finale, airing Tuesday, November 26 at 8 PM ET on ABC.