‘DWTS’: Taylor Hanson Cries as He Reveals Why He Wanted Britt Stewart as a Partner

Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart‘s journey on Dancing With the Stars came to an end after the September 30 episode, but they’ve formed a lifelong friendship that will transcend their time on the show. After their elimination, the pair appeared on the official DWTS podcast, and Hanson opened up about why he “specifically asked” to be partnered with Stewart on the show.

“Everybody’s so talented on the show, it’s insane. It’s crazy how talented these pros are. But I saw Britt and … I’m going to get emotional now … but she has done what I’ve done, in a lot of ways, with dance, for most of her life,” Hanson said, while choking back tears. “She’s thrown her heart at it, and that’s the thing most people avoid.”

Hanson noted that his heroes aren’t all necessarily musicians, and said Stewart reminds him of the people he looks up to. “I saw in her, and actually my whole family did, we were like, ‘That’s your girl,'” he continued. “I am so grateful that happened because she’s incredible.”

Of asking to be partnered with Stewart, he added, “She represents the spirit of why this show is great and why it’s 35 seasons in. I’m really glad the culture is loving on Dancing With the Stars right now because there’s something really elegant and positive. It’s just positive.”

Stewart also got emotional as she took in her partner’s words. “I think it’s such a compliment what you said and I think it’s really rare for people to really see you,” she admitted. “So it just means so much to me that Taylor could see me through a distance and then, of course, when we got paired. He walked in the room at our first meet and I was just like, ‘He’s for sure my partner.’ I just knew, instantly.”

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She thanked Hanson again for “seeing” her and concluded, “Sometimes I can be quiet or a little more reserved, but I do what I do for so much more than just me. So thank you.”

Dancing With the Stars, Season 35, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC and Disney+