Sharna Burgess Dances Back to DWTS After Surprise Exit

Sharna Burgess will return to "Dancing with the Stars" for its 35th season, slated to premiere on September 15th. Burgess, who began as a troupe member in 2011 and became a professional dancer in 2013, had a notable absence from the show. She was not asked back for season 32, a situation she described as a "shock" during a recent podcast appearance. Burgess previously won a Mirrorball Trophy in season 27 with partner Bobby Bones, but both she and Artem Chigvintsev were reportedly not invited back the following year without explanation.

After a one-season hiatus, Burgess returned for seasons 29 and 30, even competing with her then-boyfriend Brian Austin Green in the latter. The 2021 season was challenging, as their relationship dynamics became a focus. Their son, Zane Walker Green, was born in June 2022, and the couple later became engaged in July 2023. Burgess mentioned taking season 31 off to focus on new motherhood, expecting to return the next season, making the season 32 snub particularly surprising.

Prior to her upcoming return, Burgess participated in the first "Dancing with the Stars" fan convention in the summer of 2026, expressing her joy in reconnecting with the show's community. She has been active with her podcast and family life. Her rejoining the cast for season 35 signifies a new chapter after her previous departure.