Sharna Burgess Returns to Dancing With the Stars Season 35

Professional dancer Sharna Burgess announced her official return to Dancing With the Stars for Season 35 on August 24, 2026, during an appearance on Good Morning America, marking her first time back on the competition floor since 2021.

Burgess originally debuted in Season 16 in 2013 and competed in 14 total seasons, securing her first Mirrorball trophy alongside Bobby Bones in Season 27 before reaching the finals four separate times with other celebrity partners.

Following a cast shakeup under new creative leadership after her victory, Burgess experienced a rocky period on the series before taking time off in 2022 following the birth of her son, Zane, with fiancé Brian Austin Green.

Burgess addressed her unexpected departure from the cast after Season 27 in a public statement released at the time of the cast change.

"I am unbelievably sad to not be back!!!" said Burgess. "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."

The Australian dancer later explained to ET that producers provided limited rationale regarding her initial absence from the lineup.

"We couldn’t partner you up with anybody this season," said Burgess.

Addressing persistent rumors regarding cast salaries, Burgess clarified her financial standing with the production team.

"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," said Burgess.

After returning for Season 29 with Jesse Metcalfe, Burgess encountered difficult rehearsal dynamics that shortened their run early in the competition.

"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," said Burgess.

During Season 30, Burgess competed alongside Green, but felt the broadcast focused excessively on their personal relationship over dance progression.

"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,'" said Burgess. "And we were quickly eliminated after that."

The dancer paused her career for Season 31 due to the timing of her newborn's arrival, choosing to focus on early motherhood before expecting a return call.

"Zane was only eight weeks old," said Burgess. "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.’”

Producers opted not to cast Burgess for Season 32, which caught the veteran dancer off guard given her long history with the franchise.

"Because it was such a shock, because I wasn’t expecting it, it was tough," said Burgess. "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."

Although early discussions occurred for Season 34 in 2025, Burgess was not yet ready to return as her son had not entered school, telling Us Weekly that she was not fully prepared at that moment.

"It wasn’t a hard offer on the table, but there was definitely a temperature check," said Burgess.

Before receiving the official offer for the upcoming 2026 season, Burgess voiced her eagerness to step back onto the ballroom floor if requested.

"If they were to ask me this year, I would absolutely say yes," said Burgess.

Reflecting on her five-year absence in an interview with Extra, Burgess expressed astonishment at how rapidly time had passed since her last full season.

"I feel like it went in the blink of an eye. It feels like yesterday," said Burgess.

Burgess credited her growing family for changing her perception of the years away from the television set.

"I had a baby, so it makes time go very, very fast," said Burgess.

Explaining why 2026 offered the ideal window to resume her professional dance career, Burgess cited changes in her domestic routine.

"We had floated the idea of it last year, but I wasn’t ready at that point. Zane wasn’t yet in school and he’s now in pre-K and he’s got all these other friends now," said Burgess.

The invitation to rejoin the cast came during a direct conversation with casting director Deena Katz.

"I just want to dance in my life and I’m so grateful at how it’s shown up for me, but it was an absolute shock when [casting director] Deena Katz and I had a conversation," said Burgess.

Burgess recalled her reaction when Katz formally extended the offer to compete in the upcoming season.

“She’s like, ‘Well, actually, we’d love it if you dance this season’ and I nearly fell off my chair, and it was an instant yes,” said Burgess.

While keeping her celebrity partner's identity confidential, Burgess shared her enthusiasm regarding their initial training dynamic.

“I am incredibly happy, a wonderful human being that I’m dancing with. An amazing student,” said Burgess.

Burgess noted that her son has developed a strong interest in her performing career by watching archived clips.

“He has YouTubed me so many times. He loves watching Mama dance. He is in this space at the moment of wanting to go to rehearsals with me and see all the things. He loves it,” said Burgess.

Comparing her current lifestyle to her previous stint on the show in 2021, Burgess highlighted her changed household environment.

“Last time I did this job, I was single with two dogs and it’s a very different reality for me now,” said Burgess.

Burgess praised Green for taking charge of household duties while she enters intensive rehearsals for the production.

“Brian’s doing an amazing job at holding it down at home for me,” said Burgess.

Dancing With the Stars Season 35 is scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.