Brian Austin Green Slams DWTS for Not Inviting Sharna Burgess to Len Goodman Tribute

Brian Austin Green rcently called out Dancing with the Stars for not inviting his fiancée and former dancer Sharna Burgess to participate in the show's tribute to the late Len Goodman.

By Hayley Santaflorentina Oct 25, 2023 8:17 PMTags
Watch: Brian Austin Green Slams DWTS Over Sharna Burgess Snub

Brian Austin Green is expressing his frustration.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 called out Dancing With the stars for not inviting his fiancée Sharna Burgess back for the Oct. 24 tribute to Len Goodman, which featured several present and former dance pros honoring the late head judge.

"I can't even begin to tell you how disappointed I was for @sharnaburgess to not be invited for the tribute last night," Brian said in a statement posted to Instagram Oct. 25. "It's disappointing as well that none of her 'family in the ballroom' stuck up for her or spoke out."

He continued, "She's an incredible soul and has always been a friend to everyone. She deserved better. #familystickstogether."

Brian further acknowledged Cheryl Burke's exclusion, adding that the Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans podcast host, who retired from the dance competition last year after 26 seasons, "should have been there as well."

E! News has reached out to ABC for comment but has not yet heard back. 

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Celebrities Who Have Turned Down Dancing With the Stars

Sharna, who was a professional dancer on the competition series for fourteen seasons, revealed earlier this year that she wasn't asked back for the show's current 32nd installment. After Brian's post, she took to her own Instagram Story to share a reflection on the tribute.

"I haven't made a single comment publicly about the tribute because of a few reasons," she wrote on Oct. 25. "Firstly.. I know it's not about me it's about Len and the honor he deserved. Secondly.. this hurt more than not being asked back and I'm working through it. Thirdly.. sharing feelings on here often gets met with a few negative people who believe I didn't deserve to be there anyway."

She continued of Brian, "I love him for wanting to defend me even though he didn't need to. Remember 2 things can be true. I can love and support the show, feel joy for those who were there, and also feel sad about me not being there."

Instagram (brianaustingreen & sharnaburgess)

The tribute instead featured a number of former dancers—including Maks ChmerkovskiyKym Johnson-HerjavecTony DovolaniAnna TrebunskayaEdyta SliwinskaKarina SmirnoffLouis van Amstel and Mark Ballas—who returned to the ballroom with a heartfelt performance of the waltz, set to one of Len's favorite songs, Henry Mancini's "Moon River."

The longtime judge passed away in April from cancer, six months after retiring from the show

Before the moving performance, the dancers and others involved with DWTS shared a few words about what Len meant to them.

"One of the things I'm most thankful for is being able to judge alongside Len," Derek Hough, who previously served as a dance pro before joining the judging panel, said through tears. "I was able to spend a little more extra time with him and for that, I'm really thankful."

To see all of the celebrities currently competing on this season of Dancing with the Stars, keep reading. 

Barry Williams

The Brady Bunch actor will be dancing with Peta Murgatroyd.

Matt Walsh

The Veep alum is paired with Koko Iwasaki.

Mauricio Umansky

The real estate broker—who recently separated from wife Kyle Richards—is partnered with Emma Slater.

Mira Sorvino

The Oscar winner will be dancing with Gleb Savchenko.

Lele Pons

The social media star will be dancing with Brandon Armstrong.

Adrian Peterson

The football player is partnered with Britt Stewart.

Jason Mraz

The Grammy winner is partnered with Daniella Karagach.

Harry Jowsey

The Too Hot to Handle star is paired with Rylee Arnold.

Alyson Hannigan

The How I Met Your Mother alum will be paired with Sasha Farber.

Xochitl Gomez

The Marvel star will be partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy.

Tyson Beckford

The supermodel is paired with Jenna Johnson.

Ariana Madix

The Vanderpump Rules star is partnered with Pasha Pashkov.

Charity Lawson

The Bachelorette star is paired with Artem Chigvintsev.

Jamie Lynn Spears

The Zoey 102 star is partnered with Alan Bersten.

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