Sharna Burgess Was 'More Shocked' That She Wouldn't Be Returning For DWTS, Artem Chigvintsev Says

When the pros were announced for the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars, we were shocked to see reigning champ Sharna Burgess not on that list.

Sharna was one of two long-running pros not on the list, including Artem Chigvintsev, who opened up about his unexpected departure from the show on The Bellas podcast.

Speaking again to ET, Artem opened up about the situation and says that Sharna was even more shocked than he was not to be returning for the new season.

“She was, honestly, probably like even more shocked than I am. Because when you win the last season, you would think you’d have a guaranteed spot. In the past 27 seasons, this was the case — you won, you’re obviously in, you’re the reigning mirrorball champion!” Artem shared.

He continued, “I don’t think she had any thought in her head that she wouldn’t be back, simply because of the winning situation. But I also understand that there was so much controversy with Bobby [Bones] winning. I don’t know if that somehow affected it, but if that were the case, I’d be even more upset for her.”

“She didn’t choose her partner, she was given her partner, and she did the best she could [with him] during the show. She did her job with what was expected of her, and if she weren’t part of the show because of Bobby? That would be really bad.”

Just a few weeks earlier, Sharna had posted an Instagram saying she was grateful for her time on the show. Although, at that time, she didn’t know she wouldn’t be returning.

Dancing With The Stars returns on Monday, September 16th on ABC.