Sharna Burgess is officially returning to the ballroom!
The professional dancer announced her surprise comeback to “Dancing With The Stars” on August 24, 2026. Her return comes five years after her last full season and follows a rocky history with the competition.
Sharna Burgess first joined the dance competition as a professional during Season 16 in 2013. She eventually became one of its familiar faces before stepping away from the ballroom after Season 30 in 2021. Her journey included major wins, difficult partnerships, and more than one unexpected exit from the show.
Burgess looked ready for her comeback in the shiny silver outfit featured in the “Dancing With the Stars” announcement. She appeared excited as she delivered her message to fans, saying, “I’m back in the ball, baby.” The playful announcement instantly made her return feel like a celebration.
Fans quickly filled the comments with excitement over seeing the veteran pro back on the show. One fan called her return “everything,” noting it comes ten years after she and James Hinchcliffe danced together. Another fan celebrated her as their favorite professional dancer.
The “Dancing With the Stars” Instagram video confirmed Burgess’ return while showcasing her excitement about getting back into the ballroom. A fan urged the show to give her a strong partner who could make it to the finale. Another supporter echoed the excitement, writing, “Yessss my fave pro!! So excited!”
Burgess’ Professional Dancing Journey Over the Years
Burgess has experienced plenty of highs during her time on the competition. She won the Season 27 Mirrorball Trophy with Bobby Bones and previously reached four other finals. She also finished second with Nick Carter, James Hinchcliffe and Josh Norman during different seasons.
Burgess made her professional debut in Season 16 and appeared on 14 seasons before her latest return. Her history with the show also includes an unexpected absence after her Season 27 victory. She later returned for Seasons 29 and 30, including a partnership with her then-boyfriend Brian Austin Green.
Her relationship with Green also became part of her final season before the long break. Burgess later explained that she felt the show focused too heavily on their relationship instead of Green’s journey. She said they ultimately asked the show to eliminate them if that was the direction it wanted to take.
Sharna Burgess Was Dropped From ‘DWTS’ After Season 27
Burgess was devastated to learn she would not return for Season 32. “I am unbelievably sad to not be back!!!” she shared after the announcement.
The dancer said she felt grateful for her years on the show, the people she met, the talent she worked with, and the memories she made, especially after finally winning the Mirrorball with Bobby Bones.
She said the show never gave her a clear explanation for leaving her out of the lineup. The only reason she received was that producers “couldn’t partner” her with anyone that season.
Burgess also pushed back against speculation that her salary was the reason, explaining that she was paid on par with the other professionals and was “definitely not the most expensive.”
Brief Returns That Did Not Turn Out Well
Burgess eventually returned for Season 29 with Jesse Metcalfe and Season 30 with Brian Austin Green. TV Insider detailed how both seasons brought their own difficulties, including Burgess saying she could not be alone with Metcalfe after things happened between them early in the competition.
Their partnership ended quickly, while her experience with Green grew complicated as the show focused on their relationship. She said she and Green became frustrated when their romance seemed to overshadow his journey on the dance floor.
Burgess recalled telling someone that if this was what the show wanted from them, they should be eliminated. The pair was eliminated soon after, adding another difficult chapter to Burgess’ already complicated “DWTS” history.
The Pro Dancer Received Unexpected Snub From ‘DWTS’ In Season 32
In 2023, the pro dancer shared her feelings about being excluded from the show during the premiere episode of her new iHeartRadio podcast, “Old-Ish.” She shared a clip from the podcast on her Instagram, where she and her other co-hosts, Green and Randy Spelling, discussed the topic. Burgess claimed that she was off season 31 when she had a baby.
Burgess explained that she was supposed to come back last season, but her son Zane was only eight weeks old, and she needed to “sit in motherhood.” She added that production always told her they loved her and wanted her back the following year. Burgess revealed that she found out she wasn’t being invited back when others got calls, but she didn’t.
The ballroom dancer said the shock was tough to handle because she was not expecting it at all. She noted that her last five years on the show have been rocky after a new executive producer came in and decided not to bring her back right after she won with Bones. The mom of one clarified that she had to work through the disappointment, and all she felt after was gratitude.
Sharna Burgess Experienced Backroom Discomfort In ‘DWTS’
Three years ago, Burgess spoke about uncomfortable experiences with some of her former celebrity partners. She revealed that two partners had made her feel “very, very uncomfortable” when she was younger. She said she initially laughed it off and tried to make everything seem okay.
The Blast reported that the dancer opened up about her experiences while speaking with Cheryl Burke on the “S-x, Lies & Spray Tans” podcast. The “DWTS” star said one partner behaved in an unprofessional, suggestive way and became frustrated when she did not return that energy. Burgess also recalled being advised by a producer to get along with the situation simply.
Burgess explained that her perspective changed during and after the Me Too movement, when more women spoke about their experiences. The Australian dancer said she eventually realized that some things had happened to her that she had not understood she could challenge. She also mentioned another uncomfortable situation where she went through the proper channels and made reports.
