If you’ve watched even one episode of ABC’s ballroom juggernaut, you know the fiery red hair and the absolute powerhouse choreography of Sharna on Dancing with the Stars. She wasn’t just another pro in the lineup. She was the one who could turn a comedian like Andy Dick into a semi-respectable waltzer and help a double-amputee veteran like Noah Galloway inspire the entire country.
But then, she just... wasn't there anymore.
Honestly, the way Sharna Burgess exited the show—and the drama that followed her most famous win—is a lot messier than what you see under the disco ball. Most people think she just retired to be a mom. That’s only half the story.
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The Win That Changed Everything (For Better or Worse)
Let’s talk about Season 27. It’s the elephant in the room. Sharna finally got her Mirrorball Trophy with radio host Bobby Bones in 2018. On paper, it was a triumph. After years of being the runner-up with guys like Nick Carter and James Hinchcliffe, she finally did it.
But the internet? It absolutely melted down.
The backlash was so intense because, frankly, Bobby wasn't the best dancer. He’d be the first to tell you that. The "Bobby Bones Win" actually forced the show to change its entire voting system to include the "Judges' Save" because the producers were so spooked by the fan-vote-only chaos.
Recently, in late 2025, the drama resurfaced. Bobby actually revealed on a podcast that he sent his trophy back to ABC. Can you imagine? He felt so unwelcome by the DWTS community—including some shady comments from legends like Tom Bergeron and Julianne Hough—that he just gave the hardware back. Sharna admitted on her own podcast, Oldish, that the whole thing "breaks her heart." She fought so hard for that win, and yet it’s the one thing people use to criticize her legacy.
Why Sharna on Dancing with the Stars Really Stopped Calling
The biggest misconception is that Sharna chose to leave for good. In reality, it was a "huge shock" to her when she wasn't asked back for Season 32.
Here is how it actually went down:
- Season 31: Sharna had just given birth to her son, Zane (with partner Brian Austin Green). She chose to sit that one out to be a full-time mom. Totally her call.
- The Promise: She claims producers told her, "Of course, we’ll always have you back."
- The Ghosting: When Season 32 rolled around in 2023, the phone never rang. She found out the cast was full through the grapevine, not from the higher-ups.
It’s a brutal business. One minute you’re the face of the franchise, and the next, you’re watching from your couch. She’s been vocal about feeling like the "old magic" of the show is coming back lately, but as of early 2026, she’s still on the outside looking in for the U.S. version.
The Brian Austin Green Era: Love vs. Scores
We have to mention her Season 30 run with her now-fiancé, Brian Austin Green. It was the first time in the show’s history a real-life couple competed together.
People called it a "showmance" at first, but they had already been dating for nearly a year. Honestly, it was a bit of a disaster for their scores. They were constantly making out on camera, and the judges hated it. Len Goodman (rest his soul) famously told them he didn't want to see all the "gooey stuff."
They finished in 13th place. Pretty dismal for a pro of Sharna’s caliber. But she’s said if that was her last season, she’s okay with it because she got to share her world with the man she loves.
Sharna's Track Record at a Glance
- Best Placement: 1st (Season 27 with Bobby Bones)
- The "Robbed" Seasons: 2nd place with Nick Carter (Season 21), James Hinchcliffe (Season 23), and Josh Norman (Season 26).
- The Icon Moment: Her 3rd place finish with Noah Galloway in Season 20 remains some of the most technically challenging choreography ever seen on the show.
Will She Ever Return?
Is the door closed? Not exactly. Sharna has been busy judging the Australian version of Dancing with the Stars, so she hasn't hung up her shoes.
In a Q&A from December 2025, she admitted she’d "absolutely love" to be a judge on the American show. She even teased that she’s been wanting "dance back in her world" lately. But she’s also protective of the new generation of pros. She doesn't want to snatch a spot from someone like Rylee Arnold or the younger girls who are currently killing it.
How to Follow the Next Chapter
If you’re missing Sharna on your screen, you’ve got to look beyond the ballroom.
- Listen to the "Oldish" Podcast: This is where the real tea gets spilled. She and Brian Austin Green are incredibly unfiltered about the industry.
- Watch the Australian Version: She’s a fantastic judge—tough but fair, kind of like a younger, Australian version of Carrie Ann Inaba.
- Keep an eye on Season 35 rumors: Every time a new season is announced, her name is the first one fans scream for on Reddit and Twitter.
The reality is that Sharna on Dancing with the Stars represents an era of the show that was more about storytelling and less about TikTok trends. Whether she returns as a pro, a judge, or just a legend in the audience, her impact on the ballroom is permanent.
Actionable Insight: If you want to see Sharna back on DWTS, the best thing you can do is engage with her content and tag the official show accounts. Production 2026 is heavily influenced by social sentiment; if the demand is there, they usually find a way to make a "Legacy" return happen.