2018 rewind — The story behind Dancing with the Stars alum Alan Bersten's scars and his journey to self-acceptance

In 2018, Alan Bersten had to face a frightening reality that could have cast a shadow over his exciting career on Dancing With the Stars. When he was just 23, he experienced stomachaches that went away when the live production of the show took to the road. Further tests revealed a hidden tumor on the parathyroid gland and dangerously high levels of calcium.

A group of doctors met and set up for the actor to undergo surgery to take out a benign but severely threatening tumor. In the days that followed, Alan tallied each step in his recovery and in rehearsals as a new marker. That scar at the back of his neck had once been a source of insecurity, but it fs now become a mark of self-acceptance and survival.

Alan's obvious mark forced him to accept his flaws in a presentation that was centered on immaculate performance and body image. He started to recognize the strength behind that inch scar and stopped hiding beneath turtlenecks.

He found that a healed psyche was just as important as a healed physically. His tale now serves as a source of motivation and evidence that vulnerability can foster development both on and off the dance floor.

Dancing with the Stars Alan Bersten’s Scar: From Hidden Wound to Bold Statement

The expectations that many had of Dancing With the Stars were altered when Alan chose to disclose his scar and health story. Resilience took precedence over the judges' ratings or the choreography. It requires bravery to have a visible scar in that setting because of the intense lighting, camera attention, and aesthetic pressure. His story changed the conversation about medical scares, body image, and personal truth on a stage where every spotlight shines.

The medical wake-up call and surgery

When Alan Bersten started experiencing severe stomach aches during a DWTS live tour, he realized something was amiss. His blood test later showed elevated calcium levels, which led doctors to identify a tumor on his parathyroid gland after it was initially written off as benign.

“Just the word tumor is so frightening… I didn’t know what malignant or benign meant until I looked it up,” Alan told People.

The afflicted gland was removed during a quick surgery that took place just a few weeks later. The tumor, which was benign, shifted his priorities dramatically even then. Planning, displacement, and reflection on the fact that being alive was simply the first dance, all were needed to heal.

Embracing the scar and reclaiming identity

Alan came back onto the dancefloor after his treatment as a man, but with an obvious scar at the bottom of his neck. And worried about how it would appear in costumes and on camera, he kept it covered with turtlenecks for weeks.

“I see the scar now and I’m like, ‘You know what? It’s kind of cool— I survived it,’” he shared.

He began to take ownership of each mark as evidence of his strength and stopped hiding. He questioned the show's perfectionist standards by progressively exposing it both on and off screen. His scar became more than simply a medical memento; it became a sign of genuineness that inspired people to confront their own weaknesses.

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