Sharna Burgess Returns to Dancing With the Stars After Five-Year Hiatus

Burgess first joined the competition in 2013 for Season 16, quickly establishing herself as a staple of the series. Her tenure has been marked by significant competitive success, including a Season 27 victory with partner Bobby Bones and four additional appearances in the season finals. Despite these highlights, her history with the production has been defined by volatility, ranging from sudden exclusions to creative friction regarding her personal life.

Her departure after Season 30 followed a period of intense focus on her relationship with then-partner Brian Austin Green. Burgess previously noted that the show’s emphasis on their romance—at the expense of Green’s progress on the dance floor—led the pair to request their own elimination. Following that season, she faced an unexpected snub when she was excluded from the lineup for Season 32, a decision she later described as a shock given previous assurances from production. Beyond the competitive challenges, Burgess has also been candid about past professional difficulties, including instances of discomfort with former celebrity partners and the evolving industry standards regarding on-set conduct.