The Real Reason Sharna Burgess Walked Away from DWTS
Sharna Burgess Returns to the Ballroom: Everything You Need to Know About Her Dancing With the Stars Comeback
Big News Alert! Professional dancer Sharna Burgess is officially returning to Dancing With the Stars for Season 35! The announcement was made on August 24, 2024, on Good Morning America. After a few years away, fan-favorite Sharna is back where she belongs.
Who Is Sharna Burgess?
Think of Sharna as one of the "veteran pros" of the ballroom. She’s an Australian-born professional dancer who joined the DWTS family way back in Season 16 (2013). Over the years, she’s become known for her creative choreography, emotional storytelling, and ability to turn celebrities—whether they’re athletes, singers, or actors—into legitimate dancers.
Quick Stats:
- 1 Mirrorball Trophy (won with Bobby Bones in Season 27)
- 4 Runner-up finishes (with Noah Galloway, Nick Carter, James Hinchcliffe, and Josh Norman)
- 14 total seasons as a pro (before her hiatus)
- Engaged to actor Brian Austin Green (they met on the show!)
Sharna’s DWTS Timeline: A Rollercoaster Ride
Here’s a simple breakdown of her journey on the show:
| Season(s) | Year | Partner | Result / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16–27 | 2013–2018 | Various | Competed every season; made finals 4 times before winning |
| 27 | 2018 | Bobby Bones | WON Mirrorball Trophy (controversial win, but a win!) |
| 28 | 2019 | — | Cut from cast (along with Artem Chigvintsev) after new creative director hired |
| 29 | 2020 | Jesse Metcalfe | Returned, but had "really difficult" partner experience; eliminated early |
| 30 | 2021 | Brian Austin Green | Danced with her then-boyfriend; felt show focused too much on romance vs. his journey; eliminated quickly |
| 31 | 2022 | — | Took season off – son Zane was only 8 weeks old when rehearsals started |
| 32 | 2023 | — | Not asked back – surprised and hurt after being told "we’ll always have you" |
| 35 | 2024 | TBA | OFFICIALLY RETURNING! Announced Aug 24 on GMA |
Why Did She Leave (Twice)?
First Exit: Season 28 (2019) — "We Couldn’t Partner You"
After winning Season 27, Sharna and fellow pro Artem Chigvintsev were both cut when a new creative director took over. Sharna told Entertainment Tonight she wasn’t given a real reason—just: "We couldn’t partner you up with anybody this season." She also shut down rumors she was "too expensive," saying her pay was on par with other pros.
Sharna’s Reaction at the Time:
"I am unbelievably sad to not be back!!! However… it’s all good, ALL love and in this moment I can’t help but be grateful for the time and the journey that I’ve had… To say the least.. it’s been epic."
Rocky Return: Seasons 29 & 30
She came back for two more seasons, but neither went well:
- Season 29 (Jesse Metcalfe): Sharna revealed she "wasn’t able to be in the room alone with him after the first couple of weeks because of things that happened." They were eliminated fast.
- Season 30 (Brian Austin Green): She felt producers pushed their real-life romance as a storyline instead of focusing on Brian’s growth as a dancer. She even texted production: "If this is what you want for us, you just have to eliminate us because we can’t do this." They were cut soon after.
The "Mom Break": Season 31 (2022)
Sharna and Brian welcomed their son Zane in 2022. Rehearsals started when he was only 8 weeks old. She chose to sit out:
"It just felt like I needed to sit in motherhood with Zane. It was always, ‘I want to come back next year,’ and ‘Of course, we love you, we’ll always have you.’"
The Second Snub: Season 32 (2023)
Despite being told she’d be welcomed back, Sharna wasn’t asked to return for Season 32. She called it a "shock" and linked it to the same executive producer who cut her in Season 28:
"My last five years on the show have been rocky… I had just won with Bobby Bones, and he decided not to bring me back. There’s a lot of speculation as to why."
The Comeback: Season 35 (2024)!
After a two-season absence, Sharna is back! Here’s how it happened:
The Road Back
- Summer 2024: Sharna appeared at a DWTS fan convention → rumors started swirling.
- Talks for Season 34 (2025): She told Us Weekly there were "temperature checks" for next year, but she "wasn’t ready"—Zane wasn’t in school yet, and she was exploring other career projects.
- August 24, 2024: Surprise! Season 35 came calling THIS YEAR. Sharna announced on Good Morning America:
"If they were to ask me this year, I would absolutely say yes."
- September 15, 2024: Season 35 Premieres (Tuesdays, 8/7c on ABC/Disney+).
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
Sharna is a 14-season veteran with 1 win and 4 runner-up finishes.
She was cut twice (Seasons 28 & 32) — both times unexpectedly.
She took Season 31 off by choice for maternity leave.
Seasons 29 & 30 were negative experiences due to partner issues and producer interference.
She’s returning for Season 35 — announced Aug 24, 2024 on GMA.
Her partner for Season 35 has NOT been announced yet.
Summary
Sharna Burgess is one of Dancing With the Stars’ most decorated pros, but her last five years have been a mix of highs (winning!), lows (being cut twice), and personal milestones (becoming a mom). After sitting out two seasons—one by choice, one not—she’s officially back for Season 35, premiering September 15, 2024. Fans are thrilled to see her return to the ballroom, and we can’t wait to see who she’ll be partnered with this time around!
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. When does Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premiere?
Tuesday, September 15, 2024 at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
2. Who is Sharna’s partner for Season 35?
Not announced yet! The celebrity cast is usually revealed a few weeks before premiere. Stay tuned!
3. Why was Sharna cut in Season 28?
A new creative director was hired, and both Sharna and Artem Chigvintsev were let go. She was told they "couldn’t partner her up," but no detailed reason was given.
4. Is Sharna still with Brian Austin Green?
Yes! They got engaged after meeting on Season 30 and share a son, Zane (born 2022).
5. How many Mirrorball trophies does Sharna have?
One — won in Season 27 with radio host Bobby Bones.
What do you think? Are you excited to see Sharna back in the ballroom? Who do you hope she gets paired with? Let us know in the comments!
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