For years, Sharna Burgess was a staple on Dancing With the Stars. She made her debut on the show on Season 16 in 2013 and has served as a pro on 14 seasons. However, Burgess’ last time on the show (aside from a cameo during the 500th episode in 2024) was during Season 30 in 2021.
Amid Burgess’ five-year hiatus, fans have been wondering whether she’ll ever return and what exactly went on behind the scenes that led to her exit. Burgess has spoken out about the situation and given some insight into why she left. Scroll down for more.
When was Sharna Burgess on Dancing With the Stars?
Burgess’ first season was Season 16. She was then a pro on every season until Season 27, which is when she got her first Mirrorball trophy win with Bobby Bones. Following the controversial finish, she did not appear on Season 28, but returned for Seasons 29 and 30, the latter of which she was partnered with then-boyfriend (now-fiancé) Brian Austin Green.
Prior to her win with Bones, Burgess made the Finals four times. She came in third place with Noah Galloway in Season 20, second place with Nick Carter in Season 21, second place with James Hinchcliffe in Season 23, and second place with Josh Norman in Season 26.
Why did Sharna Burgess leave Dancing With the Stars?
Burgess’ first DWTS exit was after Season 27. She and Artem Chigvintsev were unexpectedly cut from the Season 28 cast after a new creative director was hired.
“I am unbelievably sad to not be back!!!” she shared after the news was announced. “However, what I can wholeheartedly tell you is that 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, the people I’ve met, the incredible talent I’ve shared the stage with and the memories I’ve made. To say the least.. it’s been epic. and to have finally won still feels as exciting and special as it did the moment @tombergeron said our names.”
Burgess told ET that she wasn’t really given a reason for why she wasn’t being asked back aside from, “We couldn’t partner you up with anybody this season.” She also shut down speculation that she was being paid more than the other pros, adding, “I was on par with people. Definitely not the most expensive, and certainly not by an amount that would break the show if they kept me.”
Courtesy Everett Collection
She ended up being asked back for Season 29 with Jesse Metcalfe and Season 30 with Green, but later admitted that she didn’t have great experiences on either. Of Season 29, she explained, “I had a partner that was really difficult — and not say too much because I don’t want to — I wasn’t able to be in the room alone with him after the first couple of weeks because of things that happened. That was rocky, and we were eliminated very quickly.”
With Green, Burgess said she was upset by how the show tried to highlight their relationship instead of her partner’s journey. “I did text someone at that time and was like, ‘Hey, this isn’t what we signed up for. If this is what you want for us, you just have to eliminate us because we can’t do this,’” she shared. “And we were quickly eliminated after that
Burgess took Season 31 off following the birth of her son in 2022. Since rehearsals started so soon after she gave birth, Burgess was not ready to devote her time to competing that year. “Zane was only eight weeks old,” she explained at the time. “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.’”
But when Season 32 rolled around, Burgess was not asked to return. “Because it was such a shock, because I wasn’t expecting it, it was tough,” Burgess said. “It’s not the first time. My last five years on the show have been rocky. Not because of the show. I love the show deeply, but we had a new executive producer come in, I think five years ago now. I had just won with Bobby Bones, and he decided not to bring me back. There’s a lot of speculation as to why.”
Is Sharna Burgess returning to Dancing With the Stars?
While the cast for Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars has not been confirmed yet, there are rumors circulating that Burgess could be returning. The speculation began after she was part of the Dancing With the Stars fan convention earlier this summer.
Burgess told Us Weekly that she was actually in discussions for Season 34 in 2025. “It wasn’t a hard offer on the table, but there was definitely a temperature check,” she explained. However, Burgess admitted she “wasn’t ready” at the time since her son wasn’t in school yet and she was pursuing other career opportunities.
But, she added, “If they were to ask me this year, I would absolutely say yes.”
Dancing With the Stars, Season 35 Premiere, Tuesday, September 15, 8/7c