Executive Overview
The glittering world of reality television has welcomed back one of its most recognizable and beloved talents. Professional dancer Sharna Burgess has officially confirmed her return to the iconic ballroom for Season 35 of ABC’s flagship hit, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). The major announcement, initially broadcast on Good Morning America on August 24, marks a monumental homecoming for a performer whose history with the franchise spans well over a decade, encompassing 14 seasons as a professional dancer, a coveted Mirrorball Trophy victory, and a series of high-profile personal and professional rollercoasters.
Burgess’s return is more than just a casting update; it represents the healing of a fractured relationship between a top-tier talent and a production apparatus that has undergone significant shifts in leadership, creative direction, and casting philosophies over the last five years. For fans of the show, her comeback offers a comforting sense of nostalgia blended with the high-stakes excitement of a veteran competitor stepping back onto the floor.
This comprehensive report examines the trajectory of Sharna Burgess’s career on Dancing with the Stars, the complex web of personal milestones, creative frustrations, and production changes that led to her multi-year hiatus, and the implications of her Season 35 comeback. Through detailed chronological analysis, contextual metrics, official statements, and a forward-looking perspective, this article explores how Burgess reclaimed her rightful place in the ballroom and what her return signals for the future of the long-running competition series.
Detailed Chronology: From Debut to Season 35 Comeback
To fully understand the gravity of Sharna Burgess’s return for Season 35, one must trace her intricate, nearly twelve-year history with Dancing with the Stars. Her journey is defined by perseverance, creative triumphs, unexpected snubs, and a deep, enduring passion for ballroom dance.
The Early Years and Rise to Prominence (2013–2018)
Sharna Burgess made her debut as a professional troupe member before being promoted to a full-time professional partner in Season 16, which premiered in early 2013. Known for her striking choreography, empathetic coaching style, and ability to connect deeply with her celebrity partners, Burgess quickly became a fan favorite. Over the next several years, she was paired with a diverse roster of celebrities, consistently pushing them to their absolute limits and frequently landing deep in the competition.
Her most notable early runs included runner-up finishes with Bonner Bolton, James Hinchcliffe, and IndyCar driver Nick Hinchcliffe, as well as memorable partnerships with Bonner Bolton, Noah Galloway—whose inspirational run captured the hearts of millions—and Antonio Brown. However, the pinnacle of her early career arrived during Season 27 in the fall of 2018, when she was paired with radio and television personality Bobby Bones.
Despite facing intense scrutiny from judges, critics, and purists who argued that Bones’s technical dancing abilities did not match those of his competitors, Burgess’s strategic choreography and Bones’s massive, loyal fanbase propelled them all the way to the finals. They ultimately captured the Mirrorball Trophy, securing Burgess her first and, up to that point, only championship win on the U.S. version of the show.
The First Major Ouster and Return (2018–2020)
The victory with Bobby Bones, while a career milestone, inadvertently marked the beginning of a tumultuous chapter in Burgess’s relationship with the show’s higher-ups. Following her Season 27 victory, Burgess was abruptly not asked to return for Season 28 in 2019. The unexpected benching sent shockwaves through the fandom, raising questions about behind-the-scenes decisions following a leadership shift that introduced new executive producers to the series.
Despite the setback, Burgess maintained her professional composure and was welcomed back for Season 29 in 2020, where she was partnered with Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean. The pair demonstrated strong chemistry and technical prowess, finishing in a respectable seventh place during a season heavily modified by COVID-19 safety protocols.
History-Making Partnership and Subsequent Exit (2021–2022)
Season 30 in 2021 brought an unprecedented personal and professional challenge for Burgess. She was paired with her real-life romantic partner, actor Brian Austin Green, making them the first real-life couple to compete simultaneously as partners in the show’s storied history.
While the concept seemed like a ratings goldmine on paper, the reality of translating an intimate romantic relationship into a public, heavily critiqued televised competition proved emotionally taxing. The intense scrutiny took a severe toll on both Burgess and Green, leading to a mutually agreed-upon exit via elimination after four weeks of competition. Following Season 30, Burgess stepped away from the franchise indefinitely, choosing to focus on her growing family. She opted out of Season 31 in 2022 to welcome her first child with Green, a son named Zane Walker Green, born in June of that year. The couple subsequently became engaged in the summer of 2023.
The Snub, the Podcast Revelations, and the Healing Process (2023–2024)
As Burgess transitioned into motherhood, she anticipated returning to the ballroom once her family life stabilized. However, when Season 32 rolled around, she was met with silence from production. In candid reflections shared on her podcast, Old-Ish, co-hosted with Green and Randy Spelling, Burgess expressed profound shock and hurt over not being invited back.
She revealed that her relationship with the show had grown increasingly rocky over the preceding five years, heavily influenced by the arrival of a new executive producer following her win with Bobby Bones. Despite these hurdles, Burgess maintained an attitude of resilience. By late 2024 and into 2025, discussions between Burgess and the network smoothed over, culminating in the triumphant August 24 announcement on Good Morning America confirming her official reinstatement for Season 35.
Supporting Context & Metrics
To contextualize Sharna Burgess’s tenure and standing within the Dancing with the Stars ecosystem, it is valuable to examine the quantitative aspects of her career alongside broader shifts in the reality television landscape.
Statistical Overview of Sharna Burgess’s DWTS Career
- Total Seasons as a Pro: 14 seasons.
- Mirrorball Trophies: 1 (Season 27 with Bobby Bones).
- Runner-Up Finishes: 3 (with Noah Galloway, James Hinchcliffe, and Bonner Bolton).
- Notable Celebrity Partners: Nick Carter, Antonio Brown, Jesse Metcalfe, AJ McLean, and Brian Austin Green.
- Milestones: First professional dancer to compete with her real-life romantic partner (Brian Austin Green, Season 30).
Behind-the-Scenes Production Dynamics
The reality television industry is inherently volatile, particularly for long-running formats like Dancing with the Stars, which transitioned from ABC to Disney+ before returning to a hybrid broadcast model. Administrative shifts often bring changes in casting philosophies. When new executive producers took the helm around 2018–2019, a strategic pivot toward younger demographics, fresh faces, and altered casting dynamics occurred.
Burgess’s temporary ouster following her win with Bobby Bones reflects a broader industry trend where veteran talent is occasionally rotated out to refresh the brand’s aesthetic. However, the subsequent realization by producers that veteran anchors are essential for grounding the show and maintaining audience loyalty paved the way for Burgess’s return. Her deep institutional knowledge and undeniable chemistry with the viewing public provide an invaluable anchor for Season 35.
Official Statements & Direct Quotes
The narrative of Sharna Burgess’s return is best understood through her own words, captured during her official media appearances and candid podcast confessions.
Upon the official Season 35 casting announcement on Good Morning America, Burgess expressed unadulterated joy regarding her return to the franchise:
"I can’t wait to be back in the ballroom with my dancing family, and mostly, it feels so good to be coming home. I’ll see you all soon."
Reflecting on the unique pressures of competing with her fiancé, Brian Austin Green, during Season 30, Burgess offered raw insight into the friction that temporarily severed her ties with the production:
"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.’ And we were quickly eliminated after that."
Addressing the initial shock of being omitted from Season 32 while navigating early motherhood, Burgess spoke candidly on her podcast about the emotional toll of her departure:
"Last season, I was supposed to come back, but Zane was only eight weeks old… 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.’ It was such a shock, because I wasn’t expecting it, it was tough. 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… and he decided to not bring me back… There’s a lot of speculation as to why."
Future Outlook: What Season 35 Holds for Sharna Burgess
As Sharna Burgess prepares to lace up her dance shoes for Season 35, anticipation within the entertainment community is reaching a fever pitch. Her return raises several compelling questions regarding her trajectory in this upcoming chapter:
- Who Will Be Her Celebrity Partner? Speculation is already running rampant across social media and entertainment blogs regarding which celebrity Burgess will be paired with. Given her reputation as a master technician and an empathetic mentor, producers are likely to assign her a high-profile contender capable of going deep into the competition.
- Creative Evolution: Having experienced motherhood and navigated the personal and professional hurdles of the past few years, Burgess returns to the ballroom with a renewed perspective. Fans can expect mature, emotionally resonant choreography that showcases her growth as both an artist and a woman.
- Impact on Show Dynamics: Burgess’s return reinforces the show’s commitment to honoring its foundational talent while continuing to innovate. Her presence adds stability and prestige to the professional roster, reassuring longtime viewers that the heart of the franchise remains intact.
Ultimately, Sharna Burgess’s comeback for Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars is a testament to resilience, talent, and an unbreakable bond with the audience. Water is officially under the bridge, the ballroom doors are wide open, and Sharna Burgess is ready to claim her next great chapter under the glittering lights.
