After a five-year hiatus, a beloved Dancing With the Stars professional is making her highly anticipated return to the ballroom. The show's official Instagram account confirmed on Monday that Sharna Burgess will be back to compete for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in the upcoming Season 35.
The announcement was accompanied by a celebratory video, with the show's social media team welcoming her back with the caption, "A little birdie told us an absolute firecracker is back in the ballroom. Please give @sharnaburgess a warm welcome on her return as a #DWTS pro."
Burgess, 41, expressed her excitement about the homecoming, telling fans, "I'm back in the ballroom, baby!" She further elaborated on her return during an appearance on Good Morning America, noting how much she missed her "dancing family" and the thrill of the competition. Her last appearance as a competitor was in 2021 during Season 30, where she was paired with her now-fiancé, Brian Austin Green.
Following the birth of their son, Zane, in 2022, Burgess stepped away from the series to prioritize motherhood. While she remained active in the dance world—serving as a judge on Dancing With the Stars Australia and making a surprise cameo during the show's 500th episode in 2024—she had previously indicated that the timing for a full-time return wasn't right until now. She noted that while producers had checked in on her availability last year, she felt she needed more time to focus on her family and other professional pursuits, including acting.
As the excitement builds for the new season, fans are eagerly awaiting the reveal of the celebrity cast, which is expected to be announced on Good Morning America on Wednesday, Sept. 2. Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars is set to premiere with a special two-night event on Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16, airing on ABC and Disney+, with streaming available the following day on Hulu.