Kym Johnson Leaving Dancing With the Stars

14-season vet will take the next season off

By Jenna Mullins Aug 19, 2013 11:57 PMTags
Kym Johnson, Hines Ward, Dancing with the StarsAdam Taylor/ABC

Dancing With the Stars just got a little less Aussie-awesome.

After 14 seasons with the ABC competition series, Kym Johnson will be leaving the ballroom, E! News has confirmed.

This news does have a silver lining. Actually, a couple. First, she is only taking this upcoming season off (season 17), and she insists she'll be back for season 18.

Second, she is leaving DWTS because of an "amazing work opportunity." So for those who will be missing Johnson's presence on their small screen, there is a possibility her new project could remedy that.

"I will be taking the next season off from DWTS USA, so that I may accept an amazing work opportunity back home. I am excited, nervous and humbled by this chance and look forward to sharing more about it with you soon," the 37-year-old dancer tells us. "I wish all the dancers and celebrities in season 17 nothing but love and success, and hope to see you all back on the dance floor for season 18." 

Johnson first appeared on the Australian version of Dancing With the Stars before joining the U.S. version in season three. Since then, she has nabbed the mirror-ball trophy twice with partners Donny Osmond in 2009 and Hines Ward in 2011.

When we chatted with host Tom Bergeron about the new season, he told us that some of the stories about casting choices are right on the money.

"Some of the casting rumors are true," Bergeron tells us, "and some of them are not true at all. Some of them might reflect contract negotiations that are going in one direction or another. But nothing is final yet."

In case you haven't been keeping track, Paula Deen, Geraldo Rivera, Lindsay Lohan and Indy 500 champ Tony Kanaan have all been reportedly approached by producers.

Us Weekly first reported the news of Kym's departure.

Will you miss Kym on the upcoming season of DWTS? Don't miss the reveal of the season-17 cast on Wednesday, Sept. 4. We'll be talking with the new stars and their partners exclusively right after the announcement!