Dancer and choreographer Emma Slater paid tribute to actor and her former DWTS partner James Van Der Beek, who died on February 11. The two participated in the dance reality show in 2019. Sharing a photo of them from the show on Instagram, Emma Slater wrote that James was like her big brother, and it was her favorite photo.She mentioned that no words felt enough to express her feelings. She shared that anyone who knew him was lucky and touched by his talent and kindness. She remembered how they first became dance partners and later grew into close friends.Emma Slater said James, his wife Kimberly, and their children felt like family to her, and being part of their small circle gave her a strong sense of purpose. Watching how much he loved his family had a big impact on her life. She remembered James Van Der Beek as:“I’m so grateful for you and all you have done for me. Your kindness, patience and empathy for others is unmatched. Your wise advice. I will always marvel at the ability you had to master everything. Your school boy laugh I will never forget. I’m so grateful that I got to see you on Sunday, to talk to you and to tell you for the millionth time how much I love you. We laughed together. And I promised I would feel your presence always, as I already have. Thank you.” View this post on Instagram Instagram PostEmma Slater wrote that she was lucky to have known James Van Der Beek. She appreciated what he had done for everyone. She said that she would always be guided by him.Emma Slater also posted a Samba routine with James Van Der BeekAlmost an hour after the post, Emma Slater shared a video of her and James Van Der Beek dancing. She mentioned that it was from an intimate gathering where they performed Samba under the stars. They performed it four years after they did it live. Slater captioned the video:“He loved to dance! And I know he’s still dancing. This is Kimberley’s fav dance of his, the samba. We prepared it especially to perform to everyone here! He remembered it more than me!! I love this memory of dancing with you James.”In 2019, Sharna Burgess spoke to Emma Slater and James Van Der Beek backstage on DWTS. Burgess said that it was one of the best Samba performances she had seen from a male contestant. She asked how much Slater grinded him for the action. James commented:“I don't know that anybody could be harder on me than I am of myself but she comes close. We both have the same expectation it was really hard. This was the week I was like maybe it's not gonna be so good this week and it just it came together later than any of the other ones.”James Van Der Beek said that it was quite a technical performance and there were a lot of movements involved. Despite everything, he felt they could do their best.