Sharna Burgess Dancing with the Stars fans finally have a major update: Burgess is officially returning as a professional dancer for Season 35 after last competing on the series in 2021. The announcement came Monday, August 24, 2026, during Good Morning America, confirming her long-awaited return to the ABC ballroom.
Burgess confirmed the news herself during the morning show, expressing excitement about competing again for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Her return marks her first competitive season on Dancing with the Stars since Season 30 and brings one of the show’s most experienced professional dancers back into the ballroom.
The announcement ends months of uncertainty surrounding Burgess and the dance competition. Earlier this month, she acknowledged that she had previously discussed a possible return with producers but was not ready to compete at that time. Now, the 41-year-old dancer has officially committed to Season 35.
Sharna Burgess Is Officially Returning to Dancing with the Stars
Burgess made the announcement on Good Morning America on August 24, confirming that she will compete as a professional dancer when Dancing with the Stars Season 35 begins this fall.
“I’m back!” Burgess said during the announcement, making clear that she is returning to the competition rather than simply making a guest appearance.
The official Dancing with the Stars social media account also welcomed Burgess back as a professional. The announcement came as the show began revealing its professional lineup for the new season.
Her return is particularly significant because Burgess has been away from the regular competition for five years. Her most recent competitive appearance came during Season 30 in 2021, when she was partnered with actor Brian Austin Green.
Season 35 will therefore represent Burgess’ first full competitive season since her departure from the ballroom.
She also made a brief appearance connected to the show’s 500th episode in 2024, but that was not a return to regular competition.
When Will Sharna Burgess Return to the Ballroom?
Burgess will return when Season 35 premieres on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
The new season will begin with a special two-night premiere. The second episode is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, before the series moves into its regular Tuesday schedule.
The premiere will air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will also stream on Disney+. Episodes will be available on Hulu the following day.
That gives Burgess only a short period before viewers see her back in competition.
The full celebrity cast and professional pairings have not yet been completely revealed. The show’s complete cast announcement is scheduled for September 2 on Good Morning America.
As a result, Burgess’ celebrity partner remains officially undisclosed as of August 24.
That detail is important because the professional lineup announcement does not yet establish which celebrity Burgess will coach throughout Season 35.
Sharna Burgess’ Last Dancing with the Stars Season Was in 2021
Burgess’ most recent full season came in 2021, when she was paired with Brian Austin Green.
The pairing received considerable attention because Burgess and Green were already romantically involved away from the show. ABC’s Season 30 cast announcement officially listed Green and Burgess as a couple for the competition.
Their Season 30 run ended during the fourth week of competition.
Green was eliminated during the show’s double-elimination episode in October 2021 after he and Burgess finished at the bottom of the scoreboard.
That became Burgess’ final competitive appearance before her extended break from the series.
Her departure came after a lengthy run on the program. Burgess first appeared as a professional during Season 16 in 2013 and ultimately competed across 14 seasons of the American version of the show.
Her time away has made her Season 35 comeback one of the most notable professional-dancer returns in the show’s recent history.
Why Did Sharna Burgess Leave Dancing with the Stars?
Burgess’ absence was not simply the result of losing interest in the show.
After Season 30, she stepped away while becoming a mother. Burgess and Green welcomed their son, Zane Walker Green, in 2022.
Motherhood became an important factor in her decision to remain away from the ballroom while she focused on her family and other professional opportunities.
Burgess later explained that producers had discussed a possible return before Season 35. However, she was not ready to return for Season 34.
During an August 2026 interview, she said producers had previously checked in about bringing her back. At that point, she explained that her son was not yet in school and she was developing other areas of her career.
That situation has now changed.
Burgess’ decision to return shows that the timing finally works for her personally and professionally.
Burgess Previously Wanted More Time Before Returning
The possibility of Burgess returning became more realistic during 2026.
At Dancing with the Stars Con 2026, she discussed her relationship with the show and acknowledged that she missed being on the dance floor.
She had previously considered a comeback but said she was not ready when the opportunity arose for an earlier season.
Her comments made clear that returning was something she had been thinking about rather than something that suddenly appeared without warning.
The August 24 announcement confirms that those conversations ultimately resulted in a formal return for Season 35.
Her timing also coincides with a major moment for the franchise as Dancing with the Stars prepares for another season with returning veterans and newer professional dancers.
Burgess Has Already Won a Mirrorball Trophy
Burgess is returning to Season 35 with one major achievement already on her résumé: she is a former Mirrorball Trophy winner.
She won Season 27 alongside radio personality Bobby Bones in November 2018.
The victory became one of the most surprising results in the show’s history because Bones did not consistently receive the highest scores from the judges. Instead, the pair developed a strong connection with viewers and received enough audience support to win the competition.
The Season 27 finale took place on November 19, 2018.
Bones and Burgess defeated Milo Manheim and Witney Carson, Evanna Lynch and Keo Motsepe, and Alexis Ren and Alan Bersten to claim the championship.
For Burgess, the win represented her first Mirrorball Trophy as a professional on the American series.
The result also demonstrated the importance of audience voting on the program. Bones and Burgess were not among the season’s most consistent high-scoring couples, but their popularity helped carry them to the finale and ultimately the championship.
Burgess Has a Long History on the Show
Burgess has been one of the more experienced professionals associated with Dancing with the Stars.
She joined the show’s troupe in 2011 before becoming a professional dancer in 2013. Her professional debut came during Season 16.
Over the years, she partnered with a wide range of celebrities, including athletes, actors, entertainers and television personalities.
Her previous partners include:
- Andy Dick
- Keyshawn Johnson
- Charlie White
- Tavis Smiley
- Noah Galloway
- Nick Carter
- Antonio Brown
- James Hinchcliffe
- Bonner Bolton
- Derek Fisher
- Bobby Bones
- Jesse Metcalfe
- Brian Austin Green
Her career includes multiple deep runs in the competition.
She reached the finals several times before ultimately winning the championship with Bones in Season 27.
That history gives Burgess considerable experience as she prepares to compete again.
Her Return Follows a Five-Year Competitive Hiatus
The gap between Burgess’ last competitive season and her upcoming return is substantial.
She last competed in Season 30 in 2021. Season 35 begins in September 2026.
That creates a five-year span between her competitive appearances, making her return particularly meaningful for longtime viewers who watched her earlier seasons.
The show’s professional lineup has changed significantly during that period, with several new dancers becoming prominent parts of the franchise.
Burgess now returns as an established veteran with extensive knowledge of the competition.
She also returns as a Mirrorball champion, giving her a different position from many of the newer professionals entering or rising within the show’s current lineup.
Who Will Be Sharna Burgess’ Celebrity Partner?
As of August 24, 2026, Burgess’ Season 35 celebrity partner has not been officially announced.
Several celebrity contestants have already been revealed, but the complete list of celebrity-professional pairings is still pending.
The show’s full cast announcement is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, on Good Morning America.
Until that announcement, claims identifying Burgess’ celebrity partner should not be treated as confirmed.
The confirmed professional return is the important development at this stage.
Once the pairings are announced, viewers will know which celebrity Burgess will guide through the Season 35 competition.
What We Know About Dancing with the Stars Season 35
Season 35 is already shaping up as an important season for the franchise.
Burgess is among the returning professional dancers, while Witney Carson is also back after winning the previous season with Robert Irwin.
The upcoming season also features new and returning professional talent, adding another layer of competition within the ballroom.
Several celebrity contestants have already been announced, including Ciara Miller, Maura Higgins and Jackson Olson. Guillermo Rodriguez has also been announced with Carson.
However, the complete cast remains under wraps until the September 2 announcement.
That means Burgess’ return is currently one of the biggest confirmed professional-dancer developments ahead of the Season 35 premiere.
Why Sharna Burgess’ Return Matters to DWTS Fans
Burgess’ comeback carries significance because she is not returning as a newcomer.
She already understands the demands of the competition, the rehearsal schedule and the pressure that comes with performing live in front of the judges and viewers.
She also knows what it takes to win.
Her Season 27 championship with Bones remains one of the defining moments of her Dancing with the Stars career. Her multiple deep runs further established her as a professional capable of working with very different personalities and skill levels.
Now, after five years away from regular competition, she will have another opportunity to compete for the Mirrorball Trophy.
Her return also reconnects the current version of the show with an earlier era of the franchise.
Longtime viewers who remember her partnerships with celebrities such as Nick Carter, James Hinchcliffe, Bobby Bones and Brian Austin Green will see a familiar professional back in the ballroom.
At the same time, newer viewers will get their first opportunity to watch Burgess compete as part of the current Dancing with the Stars lineup.
The Biggest Remaining Question Is Her Season 35 Partnership
The biggest unanswered question surrounding Burgess is straightforward: Who will dance beside her?
The answer matters because the celebrity-professional partnership can shape an entire Dancing with the Stars season.
Burgess has demonstrated that she can coach celebrities with very different levels of dance experience. Her championship with Bones is perhaps the clearest example.
Bones entered the competition without a traditional dance background, yet Burgess helped him reach the finale and win the title.
Her upcoming partnership will therefore attract significant attention once the show’s official announcement arrives.
For now, the responsible approach is to wait for the September 2 reveal rather than treat unconfirmed pairings as fact.
Sharna Burgess Is Back for Season 35
The confirmed facts are now clear. Burgess will return as a professional dancer for Dancing with the Stars Season 35, marking her first full competitive appearance since Season 30 in 2021.
She will return as a former Mirrorball champion after winning Season 27 with Bobby Bones.
Her comeback follows years away from the regular competition and comes after she previously explained that the timing was not right for an earlier return.
Season 35 premieres September 15, with a second premiere-night episode scheduled for September 16. The full celebrity and professional pairings will be revealed September 2.
For Burgess, the next chapter begins with a return to the ballroom she knows so well.
Are you excited to see Sharna Burgess back on the Dancing with the Stars ballroom? Share your thoughts and stay tuned for the official Season 35 partnership announcement.