Alexis Ren's romantic life in 2018 captured intense public interest, marked by high-profile relationships, a major television appearance on Dancing with the Stars, and widespread media coverage across digital platforms. This retrospective examines the documented timeline of her relationships during that pivotal year, separating verified public milestones from the surrounding celebrity culture and media narrative.
Introduction to Alexis Ren and Her 2018 Public Profile
To understand the romantic timeline of Alexis Ren in 2018, it is necessary to examine her professional and public standing at that time. Ren had already established a massive global following as a digital creator, model, and entrepreneur. However, 2018 marked a significant inflection point in her mainstream celebrity profile. Beyond her established presence in fashion and social media, she expanded her mainstream footprint by competing on Season 27 of the American television dance competition Dancing with the Stars, which aired in the fall of 2018 on ABC.
Because of this heightened visibility, every aspect of her personal life—particularly her romantic involvements—came under intense scrutiny from entertainment journalists, gossip columns, and millions of social media followers. The year 2018 was uniquely defined by two major narrative arcs regarding her romantic life: the conclusion of her relationship with her previous partner, Jay Alvarrez, and her widely publicized romance with her Dancing with the Stars partner, Alan Bersten. Examining this timeline requires looking closely at public statements, verified interviews, social media footprints, and official media reports from that era.
Pre-2018 Context: The Aftermath of Jay Alvarrez
Before analyzing the events of 2018, context regarding her long-term relationship with fellow social media personality Jay Alvarrez is essential. The pair had spent several years documenting an adventurous, travel-heavy relationship that amassed hundreds of millions of views across YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms.
By the time 2018 began, that chapter had firmly closed. The breakup, which occurred in mid-2017, left a lasting impact on how the public and media viewed Ren's romantic choices. Throughout early 2018, Ren navigated a period of personal transition, distancing her personal brand from her past relationship and focusing on her modeling career, mental health advocacy, and entrepreneurial ventures, such as her activewear line. This transition period served as the foundation for a year that would ultimately bring her back into the center of public romantic speculation.
Summer 2018: Entering the Spotlight of Dancing with the Stars
In August 2018, ABC announced the celebrity cast for Season 27 of Dancing with the Stars. Alexis Ren was named as one of the contestants, paired with professional dancer Alan Bersten. From the very first week of rehearsals and promotional tours, media outlets and fans began speculating about off-screen chemistry between the partners—a common phenomenon in the history of the dance competition format.
| Event / Milestone | Timeline / Context (2018) |
|---|---|
| DWTS Cast Announcement | August 2018: Paired with Alan Bersten. |
| Chemistry Speculation | September - October 2018: Media focuses on bond. |
| On-Air Admission | October 2018: Acknowledges romantic feelings. |
| Season Finale / Outro | November 2018: Reaches finals, ends partnership. |
As the weeks progressed, the professional partnership evolved into a focal point of the show's narrative. Unlike many reality television pairings that remain strictly professional, Ren and Bersten addressed the public curiosity directly through their journey on national television.
Autumn 2018: The Alan Bersten Relationship Timeline
The core of the "2018 boyfriend" narrative centers exclusively on Alan Bersten. The progression of their public relationship unfolded in distinct stages throughout the autumn of 2018:
1. Initial Rehearsals and Professional Focus (September 2018)
When the season premiered in September 2018, both Ren and Bersten maintained that their primary focus was mastering choreography and advancing in the competition. However, interviews during press lines frequently touched upon their close working relationship. Bersten praised Ren's dedication, while Ren credited Bersten with helping her navigate the intense physical and emotional demands of live television.
2. The On-Air Admission (October 2018)
As the competition reached its midpoint, the romantic tension became a prominent storyline produced by the show. During a taped segment in October 2018, Ren openly discussed her feelings for Bersten, acknowledging that catching feelings for her partner was unexpected and complicated given the high-pressure environment of the show. This moment marked the official transition of their relationship from fan speculation to verified reality television narrative.
3. Navigating Public Scrutiny and Competition Pressures
Being open about their growing bond while competing for the mirrorball trophy presented unique challenges. Ren spoke in interviews about the difficulty of balancing intense physical training, emotional vulnerability, and public commentary. Despite these pressures, the pair continued to perform at a high technical level, advancing deep into the competition.
4. Reaching the Finals and the Post-Show Status (November 2018)
In November 2018, Alexis Ren and Alan Bersten successfully reached the finale of Season 27, ultimately finishing in fourth place. Following the conclusion of the season, media attention immediately shifted to whether their romance would continue away from the cameras.
In subsequent interviews given shortly after the finale, both individuals clarified the status of their relationship. They noted that while genuine affection and a strong bond existed between them, the realities of their respective careers, travel schedules, and geographic distances made maintaining a traditional romantic relationship difficult. By the end of 2018 and heading into early 2019, reports confirmed that they had chosen to remain friends rather than pursue a long-term romantic partnership.
Media Reception and Public Fascination
The intense public interest in Alexis Ren's 2018 relationship timeline highlights the intersection of modern celebrity culture, reality television production, and social media influence. Several factors drove the widespread fascination:
- Reality Television Mechanics: Dancing with the Stars has a long-standing history of romantic narratives, often referred to by media and fans as the " DWTS curse" or romance trope, which naturally amplifies audience investment.
- Digital Footprint: Ren's massive follower base meant that millions of fans tracked every Instagram story, interview quote, and public appearance involving Bersten.
- Narrative Contrast: Moving from a heavily documented, tropical travel-influencer relationship (Alvarrez) to a structured, television-broadcasted romance (Bersten) created a stark narrative shift that kept entertainment publications engaged.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
When researching the 2018 boyfriend timeline of Alexis Ren, several inaccuracies frequently appear across unofficial fan blogs and unverified forums. Clarifying these points ensures historical accuracy:
- No Marriage or Long-Term Engagement: Despite occasional sensationalized headlines from tabloid blogs, Ren was never engaged or married in 2018. Her relationship with Bersten was relatively brief and tied directly to the duration of their time on television.
- Separation of Timelines: Jay Alvarrez was not part of Ren's life in 2018; their split occurred in 2017. Attributing any 2018 relationship milestones to Alvarrez represents a factual error regarding her public timeline.
- Nature of the DWTS Romance: While media outlets frequently labeled Bersten as her "official boyfriend," both participants were transparent that their connection was evolving in real-time under unique circumstances rather than following a traditional dating trajectory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alexis Ren's boyfriend in 2018?
In 2018, Alexis Ren's most notable and publicly discussed romantic connection was with professional dancer Alan Bersten, her partner on Season 27 of Dancing with the Stars. Their romance developed on the show during the autumn of 2018.
Did Alexis Ren and Alan Bersten stay together after Dancing with the Stars?
No. While they acknowledged genuine feelings and a close bond during the show, they decided not to pursue a long-term relationship after the season ended in November 2018, citing their demanding careers and busy schedules.
When did Alexis Ren and Jay Alvarrez break up?
Alexis Ren and Jay Alvarrez broke up in mid-2017. By the time 2018 began, they had completely separated, and Ren was no longer associated with Alvarrez during her time on Dancing with the Stars.
How did Alexis Ren and Alan Bersten meet?
They met in August 2018 when they were paired together as celebrity contestant and professional partner for Season 27 of the ABC reality competition series Dancing with the Stars.
What other projects did Alexis Ren work on in 2018?
Alongside her run on Dancing with the Stars in late 2018, Ren continued her professional modeling career, worked on her activewear brand, and engaged in various philanthropic and mental health advocacy initiatives.
Conclusion and Historical Summary
Alexis Ren's romantic timeline in 2018 reflects a transitional year defined by professional growth and high-profile public romance. By moving past her previous digital-creator relationship and stepping onto a national television stage, she entered a new phase of celebrity status. While her relationship with Alan Bersten ultimately remained a chapter tied to the autumn of 2018 rather than a permanent match, it remains one of the most widely discussed milestones in her entertainment career. Understanding this timeline requires looking past tabloid speculation and focusing on the verified milestones of her work on television and her candid public disclosures during that pivotal year.
