Sharna Burgess will not be returning to the ballroom floor.
Amid the lineup for season 32 of Dancing With the Stars being unveiled, the professional dancer revealed that she was not asked back this year. And as Sharna—who shares 14-month-old son Zane with Brian Austin Green—explained, it was a move that came as a "huge shock."
"Last season I was supposed to come back but Zane was only eight weeks old," she told the Beverly Hills, 90210 alum during the Sept. 12 episode of their Oldish podcast. "And I was speaking with them about it. It just felt like I needed to sit in motherhood with Zane. It was always, ‘I want to come back next year,' and ‘Of course, we love you, we'll always have you.'"
But Sharna, who has competed in 14 seasons after joining in 2011, said she realized the situation at hand once other pros began getting their phone calls, noting she learned through word of mouth that the spots were all filled.
"Because it was such a shock, because I wasn't expecting it, it was tough," the 38-year-old explained, adding that it was not the first time her departure was not her choice. "My last five years on the show have been rocky—not because of the show. I love the show deeply, but we had a new executive producer come in, I think five years ago now. I had just won with Bobby Bones and he decided to not bring me back."
Sharna continued, "There's a lot of speculation as to why. My win with Bobby was I think the most explosive and controversial win of Dancing With the Stars history."
Indeed, when she and the radio personality were crowned champions in 2018, it led to a "whirlwind of hate," as some viewers suggested that Bobby's popularity with fans led them to victory instead of their actual scores.
But she's moving on and looking ahead, though Sharna remains uncertain on where she stands with the competitive series in the future.
"For me, two things can be true," she noted. "I can love the show and be so excited for everyone that got the position to be there, and really thrilled for the people that they have, but I can also be really sad and heartbroken that I don't get to do that this season."
However, the pro is focused on the positive side of the situation.
"I'm excited about having the space to creating other things again," she added, "and I know the universe has done this for a reason."
Keep reading to see the full cast of season 32 of DWTS.
The Brady Bunch actor will be dancing with Peta Murgatroyd.
The Veep alum is paired with Koko Iwasaki.
The real estate broker—who recently separated from wife Kyle Richards—is partnered with Emma Slater.
The Oscar winner will be dancing with Gleb Savchenko.
The social media star will be dancing with Brandon Armstrong.
The football player is partnered with Britt Stewart.
The Grammy winner is partnered with Daniella Karagach.
The Too Hot to Handle star is paired with Rylee Arnold.
The How I Met Your Mother alum will be paired with Sasha Farber.
The Marvel star will be partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy.
The supermodel is paired with Jenna Johnson.
The Vanderpump Rules star is partnered with Pasha Pashkov.
The Bachelorette star is paired with Artem Chigvintsev.
The Zoey 102 star is partnered with Alan Bersten.