The ballroom is about to get a whole lot more fiery. After a five-year hiatus, fan-favorite pro Sharna Burgess is officially returning to Dancing with the Stars for Season 35. The Mirrorball Trophy winner announced her highly anticipated comeback on August 24, 2026, during a segment on Good Morning America, confirming what many fans had been hoping for.
“It feels so good to be coming home,” Burgess said in the announcement, marking her first time competing on the show since Season 30 in 2021. With the new season premiering next month, Burgess’s return adds a powerful and familiar face to the DWTS pro lineup.
When and How Sharna Burgess Announced Her Return
The news broke on Monday, August 24, 2026, during the broadcast of Good Morning America. Burgess appeared in a pre-recorded video announcement, stunning in a glamorous ballroom costume, where she blew a kiss to the camera and declared, “I’m back in the ballroom, baby!”
Shortly after the GMA segment aired, the official Dancing with the Stars Instagram account shared the announcement, writing, “A little birdie told us an absolute firecracker is back in the ballroom. Please give Sharna Burgess a warm welcome on her return as a DWTS pro!”
In her full statement, Burgess added: “I’m back! Some of you guys guessed it. Yes, I am here with a special announcement to finally confirm, I’m back on Dancing With the Stars, baby. I’m gonna be competing for that Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. I can’t wait to be back in the ballroom with my dancing family.”
Sharna Burgess’s DWTS History and Achievements
Burgess’s relationship with Dancing with the Stars spans well over a decade, making her one of the show’s most recognizable and beloved pros.
2011: Troupe Member – Burgess first joined the DWTS family as a troupe member during Season 13, performing in group numbers but not yet paired with a celebrity partner.
2013: Pro Debut – She officially became a pro partner in Season 16, competing with comedian Andy Dick.
Notable Partners – Over her initial run, Burgess partnered with a range of celebrities, including Antonio Brown, Nick Carter, and Jesse Metcalfe.
Season 21: Runner-Up – She came incredibly close to winning the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 21, finishing in second place with Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter.
Season 27: Mirrorball Champion – Burgess finally took home the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in Season 27, alongside her celebrity partner, radio personality Bobby Bones. While the season was considered controversial by some fans, her win cemented her place in DWTS history.
Season 30: The Last Dance (So Far) – Burgess’s most recent competitive season was in 2021, where she was paired with her now-fiancé, actor Brian Austin Green. The two welcomed a son, Zane, in 2022 and got engaged in 2023.
Why Her Season 35 Return Is Significant
Burgess’s return marks her first competitive appearance on the show since Season 30 in 2021. She stepped away from the ballroom ahead of Season 31 in 2022, announcing her departure via an emotional Instagram Story video.
At the time, Burgess explained that her decision to leave was driven by her new role as a mother. She had given birth to her son, Zane, just two months earlier and was “not ready to spend, at minimum, 10 hours a day away from him.” She also noted that she was “so in love with being a mom” and wanted to cherish those early moments.
Her return after five years away demonstrates a full-circle moment. During the inaugural DWTSCon earlier in August 2026, Burgess revealed that she had recently felt a renewed passion for dance. “When I woke up that morning—like, a little over a year ago—and I was like, ‘I need dance back in my life.’ If they were to ask me this year, I would absolutely say yes.” She also shared that while there had been discussions with producers, it wasn’t until this year that she felt ready to commit.
What Is Confirmed About Her Season 35 Role and Partner
Confirmed: Sharna Burgess will return as a pro partner for Season 35.
Not Yet Confirmed: Her celebrity dance partner has not been officially revealed.
While fans are eagerly speculating, the full cast lineup will be announced on Good Morning America on September 2, 2026. Until then, Burgess’s partner remains one of the season’s biggest mysteries.
Burgess joins fellow Mirrorball champion Witney Carson, who was the first pro confirmed for Season 35 and is pregnant with her third child. Other new additions to the pro lineup include Rylee Arnold, Ezra Sosa, and Jan Ravnik.
Season 35 Premiere Date and Where to Watch
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 will premiere with a two-night event:
- Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Episodes will air live on ABC and simultaneously stream on Disney+. They will also be available to stream the following day on Hulu.
Other Confirmed Season 35 Cast and Pro Information
Confirmed Pros
- Sharna Burgess (returning)
- Witney Carson (returning, defending champion)
Announced Celebrity Contestants (So Far)
While the full lineup will be revealed on September 2, several celebrities have already been confirmed:
- Guillermo Rodriguez (Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick) – paired with Witney Carson
- Jackson Olson (Savannah Bananas player)
- Maura Higgins (The Traitors alum)
- Ciara Miller (Summer House star)
Hosts and Judges
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will return as co-hosts, while Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli are all expected to resume their roles as judges.
Sharna Burgess’s Recent Career and Television Work
During her time away from the U.S. version of the show, Burgess remained deeply connected to the Dancing with the Stars franchise. She has served as a judge on the Australian edition of Dancing with the Stars since 2019, a role she continues to hold alongside her U.S. return.
Burgess also made a surprise special appearance on the U.S. show during its milestone 500th episode in November 2024, delighting fans with a brief return to the ballroom.
Beyond dance, Burgess has been exploring other creative avenues, including acting. She mentioned in a recent interview that she’s “been acting and doing a lot of other stuff” while balancing motherhood.
At the first-ever DWTSCon on August 3, 2026, Burgess was candid about her feelings regarding a potential return. “This cast is incredible. I wouldn’t want to ever take someone’s job,” she told reporters. However, she also admitted that her passion for dance had been rekindled, saying, “I think I still have a lot more to give.”
Fan Reaction to the Announcement
The news of Burgess’s return was met with overwhelming excitement from both fans and fellow DWTS pros. On the official Instagram announcement, current pro Ezra Sosa wrote, “YESSS,” while former pro Peta Murgatroyd commented, “My girllllllll is back!!!”
Other DWTS alums, including Sasha Farber and Lindsay Arnold, also expressed their enthusiasm in the comments section. Fans flooded social media with messages celebrating the return of the fan-favorite dancer, who is widely regarded as one of the show’s most passionate and talented choreographers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Sharna Burgess returning to Dancing with the Stars?
Yes. Sharna Burgess has officially confirmed she is returning to Dancing with the Stars as a pro for Season 35, marking her first competitive season since 2021.
Q: Why did Sharna Burgess leave Dancing with the Stars?
Burgess stepped away from DWTS ahead of Season 31 in 2022 to focus on motherhood after welcoming her son, Zane. She said she was “not ready to spend, at minimum, 10 hours a day away” from her newborn.
Q: When does Dancing with the Stars Season 35 premiere?
Season 35 premieres with a two-night event on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC and Disney+.
Q: Who is Sharna Burgess’s partner for DWTS Season 35?
Sharna Burgess’s celebrity partner has not yet been announced. The full cast lineup will be revealed on Good Morning America on September 2, 2026.
Q: Has Sharna Burgess won Dancing with the Stars?
Yes. Burgess won the Mirrorball Trophy in Season 27 with her celebrity partner, Bobby Bones. She also finished as runner-up in Season 21 with Nick Carter.
Q: What has Sharna Burgess been doing since leaving DWTS?
Burgess has been a judge on the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars, acted, and focused on raising her son, Zane. She also made a cameo on the U.S. show during the 500th episode in November 2024.
Conclusion
Sharna Burgess’s return to Dancing with the Stars for Season 35 is one of the most exciting casting announcements of the year. After a five-year hiatus spent embracing motherhood, exploring acting, and serving as a judge on the Australian version of the show, Burgess is ready to reclaim her spot in the ballroom.