The Ben and Ashley I Almost Famous Podcast - Almost Famous OG: Another Spin Around The Ballroom with Kaitlyn Bristowe

Episode Date: November 18, 2025

Trista and Kaitlyn are giving you all the behind-the-scenes details of the DWTS 20th Anniversary episode! From members of Bachelor Nation they got to catch up with, to all their memories flooding back from the first time they both competed on the show. Plus, Kaitlyn tells Trista what she was not anticipating when preparing for this second time around the dance floor! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. A decade ago, I was on the trail of one of the country's most elusive serial killers, but it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught. The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him? I'm Josh Zeman, and this is Monster, hunting the Long Island serial killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York, since the son of Sam, available now.

Listen for free on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty and I'm the host of the On Purpose podcast. Recently, I had the honor of sitting down with the iconic Chris Jenna. Even if one of your children has been through something really difficult with their partner or an ex-partner, you still love them as part of the unit and the family. These are the fathers of my grandchildren. And that love doesn't go away when we experience really challenging times with them. to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your

podcast. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. I'm Dr. Priyankalwali, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, Do I Have Scurvy at 3am? And on our show, we're talking about health in a different way, like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2?

Extremely. Listen to health stuff on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Big Take podcast from Bloomberg News keeps you on top of the biggest stories of the day. My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day. Stories that move markets. Chair Powell opened the door to this first interest rate cut. Impact politics, change businesses. This is a really stunning.

development for the AI world and how you think about your bottom line. Listen to the big take from Bloomberg News every weekday afternoon on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And she said, Johnny, the kids didn't come home last night. Along the central Texas planes, teens are dying, suicides that don't make sense, strange accidents and brutal murders. In what seems to be, a plot ripped straight. out of breaking bad drugs alcohol trafficking of people there are people out there that absolutely

know what happened listen to paper ghosts the texas teen murders on the iHeart radio app apple podcast or wherever you get your podcasts this is the almost famous podcast with iHeart radio hi everybody it's trista from the almost famous og podcast and i am so excited because this was on my book today to do a podcast. But all of a sudden, we were talking about how we needed to do a Dancing with the Stars recap. And we were talking about all the people who were there for the 20th anniversary. And I was like, let me reach out to Caitlin. So I texted Caitlin and I said, I know this is totally short notice and it probably won't work. But do you have any time today to do a quick 20, 30 minute recap about the show. And it worked out. So I'm so excited to recap the Dancing with

the Stars 20th anniversary with my good friend, Caitlin Bristow. Okay, so everyone knows at this point that you got to go back into the ballroom. And I knew how excited you were from just hearing from you and just knowing you and how much you love the show. So how was it being back in the ballroom? I was talking about it. Actually, I've talked about it every day, all day. And since I it was there. But I was telling my girlfriend this morning, I was like, it's one of those things that you think you'll never have the opportunity to do again. And I've always thought, like, gosh, if I could ever do that again, I would just take it all in and I would notice the little things and I'd enjoy it in such a different way. And so to be able to do it again for the second

time, I was just so present and so in the moment. And my cup with was overfloweth. I was just so happy. I could tell. I mean, you were beaming. You were so. happy as was I it was hard to not be beaming in the ballroom it is just so full of energy and happiness and joy and emotion and I swear my cheeks were hurting from smiling so hard yeah it's one of those shows I feel like there is you know reality TV I'm I'm actually the biggest reality TV girl like I don't watch Bravo shows I don't watch but my reality TV is like dancing with the stars and as you know big brother because I there's just something that makes me so happy when I watch them. And Dancing with the Stars is just one of those shows that

I feel like it's, it's like bringing a little bit of hope and joy to the world when you watch it. Totally agree. Totally agree. Especially if you're in the ballroom. It is just, ah, just it feeds your soul. I just love it. And I forgot how much I love it. And obviously, it's been a long time since I've been in the ballroom. I mean, obviously, first one ever kicked off the show. which, you know, that's a long time ago, but it's fine. It's fine. I'm part of it. It's all good. And then I went back for the 200th episode, which I feel like was probably at least 10 years ago. So I have not been back back in the ballroom in about 10 years. And lots of memories were coming back. I'm sure it's the same for you. Tell me about any memories that came back for you. Oh, well, first of all, I

was in such a different time because I was dancing during COVID time. So it was so, awesome to be able to feel the energy of having a crowd not to mention like not just any crowd it was every dancer who's ever been on the show like I made eye contact with Bill Nye the science guy and I was like it was just so cool and obviously so nerve-wracking but I was like it was bringing up so many memories for me good and bad because I remember my body falling apart I remember I didn't think I was good enough. I remember like Ardom was very hard because that's how he's like he was he was trained growing up by Russians he's Russian like they just have a different delivering and looking back

now I go thank God because somebody needed to push me that hard and I'm so glad he did but it was like I was almost having like phantom pains in my ribs watching people dance and remembering just how hard they work. So I think like what kept coming up for me is how cool the show is because everybody's competing against each other yet they're rooting for each other at the same time because everyone knows how hard each other's working. And I just felt that like family vibe going back in and I was like this is what it felt like when I was here. We were all of course wanting to win, but we were all just standing there screaming and cheering for each other knowing like we're in a dark time of COVID and we're all in this together and we're all working so hard. And it was so fun.

I mean, epic. Having Tom Bergeron back and then Derek Huff, obviously, has been a judge for a while, but having Derek as a judge, because was he a judge during your season? Yeah, I think I was the first season he was a judge. Amazing. I mean, I got the chance to meet him for the first time. I have been obsessed with him since he started on the show. Just his choreography is, he is a genius at choreography and dancing, obviously. And singing and like everything that whole family, I don't understand. They're like an anomaly because every single person in that family is so talented and gifted and kind. And their one sister, Bear Beth is my realtor in Nashville.

Like, it's so funny. And that opening number that Derek did the choreography for, it just like it's, it's beyond magical. Beyond. He is so good. So just being able to meet him. So I had two producers. Ashley Edens was one of them and Joe and got to see them.

We actually took, I don't, I'm sure, I think I left you, when I left Blakesley with you at the after party. Yeah, but I met your producers. Oh, good. Oh, good. They're amazing. So Ashley and Joe, and we took a huge picture with all of the OG pros and as many of the, you know, celebs as we could get. and I was hanging out back there and was talking to Ashley. Funny story, Ashley Edens was my producer with Ryan on The Bachelorette.

So she started with me on Bachelorette, yep. And then she came over to Dancing with the Stars. And now her and Derek and Julian are like besties. And she helps them with their, like all of their shows. And she actually also does, she was at AFR, Bachelor AFR, that night and then came over to the after party. Isn't that crazy? that's yeah those worlds are so intertwined but that's that's a that's a pretty solid career she's had oh yes she's amazing she is I love Ashley um okay so tell us about practice like how much did

you have to practice I know you went back early were you in the studio um like 10 hours a day what was your schedule like it so we're back in the same studio and it's so interesting how times have changed even in the last five years because when Artem and I were in the studio like we did not want to waste one second. It was like you step in the practice room and you are learning and sweating and just grinding and through everything. And then now it's like they spend an hour

of their rehearsal time doing TikToks because that's like that like matters, which is crazy because TikTok has become such a thing and this it's got, you know, the show has now, they have their OG people who always will watch And then they brought in this new Gen Z generation of TikTokers. So it's become part of the show.

And so the first day, we rehearsed for maybe like an hour. And otherwise we were doing social media. And I was like, what is happening? I need to learn this dance. This is so scary. And then day two, we really worked very hard, probably for about four hours. And then the next day, Emma had to film a Christmas special. And so it was just me.

Andy in the rehearsal space, which I actually think was the biggest blessing because I think it helped that I have taught dance before. So it was good because I could count for him. And I could do, I learned my steps, but I also learned his. So I could really help us both do, like make the most of our time without Emma. But I think that's what helped the most because we had no other choice, but to get through it just us and figure out the timing and count through everything and communicate through and everything. And then I was like, oh my gosh, we have like one more day. And I think it was

I would have liked a lot more rehearsal time, but I'm so proud of how it turned out because I'm very hard on myself and I looked at that and I was like, we were so off time, but we got through it and we entertained and we performed. And Andy was an absolute delight to train with because he works so hard. Oh, I love hearing that. I mean, those are the kind of people that root for, right? Like the hard workers. And it's not to say that anyone on this season is not a hard worker. I feel like they all are and you kind of have to be. Yeah. But I love that. I mean, he's in a different, like his capacity to move his body is different from these, you know, Whitney, who is a trained dancer and moves like a pro. And so to see Andy just, he really puts everything into it. And he

wants to learn and he wanted to get better. And he was just so happy to be there. Oh, I love that. I loved that. I loved walking up to you. And it was so funny because for everyone listening, I was sitting on the side where Caitlin was standing before she went out onto the dance floor. And so when you came out there, I ran up to you and gave you a big hug because I hadn't had the chance to see you yet. And I was walking up towards you and you were facing the other way. And Andy looked at me and he's like, hi. And I feel like he was probably like, what is this crazy person doing? no he was probably like oh my gosh that's trista sutter oh yeah i doubted but anyway it was so it was so cute i loved watching you guys like before you know i took the the picture and the video that i sent to you and just having emma like reach over and kind of grab for you over andy's like shoulder was so sweet it was such a sweet moment thank you for capturing that because i looked at that photo and it made you want to cry because I love Emma. I think she is one. She's just like such a light and she's so positive and happy and her choreography is amazing and she like

understood what to do with my personality and Andy's personality. And of course, like part of me was like, oh, it kind of would have been nice to dance with Dylan. But then I'm like, this was how it was supposed to be. I was supposed to be Andy. I had really quality time with Emma and I just, I'm, I I realized how much I miss her and how she is such a dear friend. I really love Emma. Oh, that makes me so happy. A decade ago, I was on the trail of one of the country's most elusive serial killers, but it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught.

The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him? I'm Josh Zeman, and this is Monster, hunting the Long Island serial killer. The investigation into the most notorious killer in New York since the son of Sam, available now. Listen for free on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night. Yes, I'm Dr. Priyanka Wally, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dabolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, do I have scurvy at 3 a.m.

On Health Stuff, we're talking about health in a. different way. It's not only about what we can do to improve our health, but also what our health says about us and the way we're living. Like our episode where we look at diabetes. In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Or our in-depth analysis of how incredible mangoes are. Oh, it's hard to explain to the rest of the world that Like, your mangoes are fine because mangoes are incredible, but, like, you don't even know. You don't know. You don't know.

It's going to be a fun ride. So tune in. Listen to Health Stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The forces shaping the world's economies and financial markets can be hard to spot. Even though they are such a powerful player in finance, you wouldn't really know that you are interacting with them. And even harder to understand. Donald Trump's trade war, 2.0, is only accelerating the process of de-dollarization, which in a way is jargon for people turning away from the dollar.

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She said, Johnny, the kids didn't come home last. That's not. Along the central Texas plains, teens are dying. Suicides that don't make sense. Strange accidents and brutal murders. In what seems to be, a plot ripped straight out of breaking bad. Drugs, alcohol, trafficking of people. There are people out there that absolutely know what happened. Listen to paper ghosts, the Texas teen murders on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Robert Smith, and this is Jacob Goldstein, and we used to host a show called Planet Money.

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Listen to business history on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I really haven't gotten to know Emma, but you can tell, like she is such a light. I love every season. I feel like it's every season. She gets somebody that she feels like she needs to, like, count when,

like, you can see during the dance when it's live. She's counting and saying, like giving them, you know, props for like, what's going to come next? And I noticed that you were doing the same thing. I did. I loved it. I was like, look, I'm going to learn my steps and Andy's so I can count for him. Even though I screwed up the counting at the end, but like it didn't really matter

because it was more about like the performance at that point of it. Yeah. But like the first counts are the most important. And I was like, because I kept, I don't know if you could hear me, but at the very first one, I just kept having a safe frame because he he'd always kind of just be like here and I'd be like frame and then he'd go oh yeah and then I was like one two three two three three three now you're going to turn me and throw me I was like trying to like watch where the cameras were and because you know he's he was learning I think three different

dances that week oh my gosh so I was I was like that is a lot for even when I was part of it and felt like a dancer so I was I just felt so bad and I just wanted him to get through it. And he nailed it. I don't know why I was so worried that he would forget his steps, but he didn't. And yeah, it was fun to count for him because I felt like, I was like, that's such a pro move. Yeah. You were totally a pro. You were like, I was like, oh, she stepped right into my shoes. It was perfect. It was just the best. I wish I could relit. Like the amount of times I've gone back and watched just because it's, I just can't. And it all happens so fast because there's so much. lead up and then to actually stand on that the ballroom floor and you're so nervous and then all of a sudden you just black out and you're like did I do the steps did I do the dance totally yeah yes that's the first thing you said to me you were like I go how was it um I think is what I said and you were like I don't even know I think I blacked out all I remember is the first one two three two two three three three three four two three and then I don't remember anything else and then you're done yes and then

you're like, I remember ripping off his shirt. And scratch you to his chest, right before we started, he goes, he goes, dig your nails into my chest. I was like, hey, I will. I love it. Okay, let's get into who we saw from Bachelor Nation. I know there was like a story out there about the fact that you got to see Chris Souls.

Is that the first time you've seen him? No. I didn't think so. I was like, someone. reported it as the first time you've seen him since his season? And I was like, that's not true. No, no, no. I've seen him. We were at Sarah and Wells wedding together. There's a few other things that we've done that I've seen him. Yeah, I've seen him a few times. Yeah, I didn't think that was the case. But how was that seeing him? It was good. He looks healthy.

He does. Yeah, I don't know. I don't know if I follow him or if I know what's going on in his life, but he just looked like he was in a good place. It's so hard for me because it was, what, 10 years ago, 11 years ago, and I know too much about, like, certain things with his relationship with Whitney, where I'm like, God, it's hard to know something, but also keep people's privacy and know that that was 11 years ago and that we all grow and change and evolve into better people. So I just saw him and I thought he looks really like he's in a good place and that made me happy. Yeah.

That's so true. Yeah. And then Jake came up to me and he's like, oh, I need to meet Caitlin. I've never met Caitlin. And I assume, did you meet Jake? Yeah. He came up. It was so funny because how many people are in Bachelor Nation from like, you know, whatever year, 2003.

Is that when it started? 2002. two to now and I watch every season like I'm I've always been a fan of the show and so when he walked up to me I'm going how do I know this guy and he goes came we've never met and I'm sitting there being like what is he from like I know this face I watched his season I didn't watch that one religiously I was kind of in and out but I remember and I was just like how do I know this guy and he goes yeah we never met I went are you sure I couldn't figure out I you know who I thought he was, was whoever was third place on Andy Dorfman's season, like a, oh, Lord, I have no idea.

I can't remember his name, but. Oh, gosh. I don't know why that's who I thought it was. And anyways, and then I realized, oh, my gosh, that's the pilot guy. Yes. And I guarantee you, you probably remember him from the, like, special they did after his season, where him in Vienna had the, like, moment on the, like, love seat. Yes.

Yep. Okay, so we have to talk about the girls because, of course, you know, it's always such fun for me as, you know, the person who's the oldest in the bunch. I mean, not compared to Joan. And of course, she's kind of still my child, even though she's older than me. But I never think of you as the oldest. I think of you as the first. Thank you. Thank you for that. I think I just get it in my head that I'm the oldest because I was the first. But you're right. I should just. think of it as being the first. Thank you. You're the first to ever do it. That's amazing. Thank you. So we got, I just love reconnecting with, you know, all of our people. It was so much fun to connect with dancing with the stars people, especially people that I'd never met before. But seeing like people from, you know, Bachelor Nation is always fun. And we got to hang out with crossover. I know. That's so true. Usually, you know, they have so many bachelor people on. And it's, I just feel like it's like one big family.

And so, you know, there's Charity and Kelsey and Jen and who else was there, us, obviously. Joey. Joey, of course. Oh, and then Jonathan and Justin came from the AFR, which was so fun to meet them because I've met Justin before, but I had never met Jonathan. And I don't know if you heard this conversation, but I was sitting on the couch next to charity, like at the end of the night when we were all kind of hanging out there. and Jonathan, you know, came up and I was like, hey, I'm Trista. And he's like, oh, so nice to meet you. And Charity's like, she's such the hype girl.

Like, I love her so much. She's always like, you know, hyping everyone up. But she was like, Jonathan, please, you know, she's the queen. She's like our first. She's, you know, going on and on and on. And he's like, oh, really? And then we talked about how I was first, you know, off dancing with the stars. And he's like, no, wait.

Like, it was just, it was hysterical, his reactions, and he was just the sweetest. So it was really fun. By the way, I did watch your dances. You were so good. I don't know how you were voted off first. Like, your Rumba walks and, like, you were so controlled. And it was very impressive. Thank you.

So for a little context, I sent, my producer sent me a YouTube video of both of my dances. and then I just sent it to Caitlin, so she just watched them. And it was so crazy watching it back. Honestly, like, kind of how you have memories brought back when you were on the dance floor. Just watching that brought back memories for me, especially, like, having Louis yell at me. Like, come on, you know this. Like, get out of your head. You don't think about it.

You know, just dance. And I'm like, dude, I don't do ballroom. Like, I have to get in my head because I don't know the moves. You know, it's so funny as I was teaching my best. and Brie the Viennese waltz and she's doing like a tiny little dancing with the local stars in Calgary because she's on the radio station here and it's for charity and I realized that I was being so mean to a teacher because I was like how are you not getting it? It's back side front, front, forward side back like what? And then I was like, wait, I get it now. Oh, it's like how

we turn into our parents. We're turning into our teachers. Yeah, exactly. Okay. Okay. I know you have to go. Thank you so much. I love this little catch up. Thank you so much for making time. We all love you here at Almost Famous. I love you guys so much. And thank you for having me on and I love reminiscing. I'll do it any time about dancing with the stars. You know that. Right. It's the best. Okay. Awesome. Thank you guys. Love you. Oh, it's always so much fun to just spend time with Caitlin. I, as you probably all know, I adore her. She's a good friend. And, uh, just to get to chat about how much fun we both had at the 20th anniversary and, oh, all of her excitement and all of the fun she had being able to go back to the ballroom and dance on that

stage in front of a live audience, which she didn't get to do during her season because it was COVID. It was just such an epic night. So to be able to recap with her was really special. So thank you everybody for listening. Please continue to listen. You can listen to almost famous OGs wherever you get your podcast.

A decade ago, I was on the trail of one of the country's most elusive serial killers, but it wasn't until 2023 when he was finally caught. The answers were there, hidden in plain sight. So why did it take so long to catch him? I'm Josh Zeman, and this is Monster, hunting the Long Island, serial killer, the investigation into the most notorious killer in New York, since the son of

Sam, available now. Listen for free on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jay Shetty, and I'm the host of the on-purpose podcast. Recently, I had the honor of sitting down with the iconic Chris Jenner. Even if one of your children has been through something really difficult with their partner or an ex-partner, you still love them as part of the unit and the family. These are the fathers of my grandchildren. And that love doesn't go away when we experience really challenging times with them. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. On the podcast Health Stuff, we are tackling all the health questions that keep you up at night.

I'm Dr. Priyankawali, a double board certified physician. And I'm Hurricane Dibolu, a comedian and someone who once Googled, do I have scurvy at 3 a.m. And on our show, we're talking about health in a different way, like our episode where we look at In the United States, I mean, 50% of Americans are pre-diabetic. How preventable is type 2? Extremely. Listen to health stuff on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Big Take podcast from Bloomberg News keeps you on top of the biggest stories of the day.

My fellow Americans, this is Liberation Day. Stories that move markets. Chair Powell opened the door to this first entrance. rate cut. Impact politics, change businesses. This is a really stunning development for the AI world and how you think about your bottom line. Listen to the big take from Bloomberg News every weekday afternoon on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. And she said, Johnny, the kids didn't come home last night. Along the central Texas planes, teens are dying. Suicides that don't make sense. Strange accidents.

and brutal murders. In what seems to be, a plot ripped straight out of breaking bad. Drugs, alcohol, trafficking of people. There are people out there that absolutely know what happened. Listen to paper ghosts, the Texas teen murders, on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast.