Sharna Burgess Reacts to Potential ‘DWTS’ Delay Amid Writers’ Strike: ‘I Understand Both Sides’

Sharna Burgess may not be competing on “Dancing With the Stars” Season 32, but she’s still staying in the know about everything that’s going on behind the scenes on the dancing competition series.

The ballroom dancer spoke exclusively with Page Six on Thursday, just as news broke of the show, which could delay its upcoming premiere amid ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood.

While SAG-AFTRA has made it clear that celebrities not Violating their strike rules by participating in the show, members of the Writers Guild of America protested this week at various “DWTS” rehearsal locations in Los Angeles to pressure ABC and the cast.

They argue that those who choose to stay on the show – WGA signatories – would cross the picket line to work, because the show employs a WGA writer.

The complicated situation has divided fans on social media and even led “Veep” actor Matt Walsh to declare that he was stepping away from the show until a deal was reached with the WGA.

“I couldn’t even [tell] It’s up to you what the right decision is. All I know is that this must be a very difficult situation for everyone involved. I couldn’t imagine the pressure and stress,” Burgess told us.

“I can understand the desire and need for both decisions. The decision to move forward for the more than 500 employees who want to be able to feed their families and have a job, or the need to stand in solidarity with the WGA and the SAG to create real change for people. I understand both sides and I really feel for them right now.

The Australian dancer noted that she “sends so much love and support” to everyone involved, adding that she doesn’t “envy” the convoluted position they find themselves in.

Brian Austin Green – who competed with Burgess in season 30 – also weighed in on the subject, telling us: “It’s important for fans and people to know who’s reading these stories so they don’t feel resentment towards anyone who found in this situation. »

The “Beverly Hills, 90210” alum added that it’s “such a confusing time” in Hollywood right now, with shows like “The Drew Barrymore Show,” “The Talk” and “The Jennifer Hudson Show” faced with similar situations.

” This is a difficult question. With the strike and everything going on in the industry, there are a lot of unknowns. And so people are handling this situation as best they can,” he shared. “I think ultimately the show, like a lot of other shows, will do what works best for them and the people around them in the moment.”

In response to an ongoing investigation into whether “DWTS” will air on ABC and Disney+ next Tuesday as scheduled, SAG-AFTRA released a statement supporting the program.

“Our members appearing on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ work under the Network Code agreement, which is an unmined contract,” the union told The Hollywood Reporter.

“They are required to go to work, do not violate SAG-AFTRA strike rules and we help them fulfill their contractual obligations. The program is a non-drama production of SAG-AFTRA under a separate agreement that is not subject to the union’s strike order.

Page Six has contacted ABC for comment.

As previously reported, Burgess admitted in the first episode of her new podcast “Old·ish” with Green and Randy Spelling that she was “shocked” to learn she hadn’t been asked to compete as a professional dancer for “DWTS” this season.

While she initially heard the bittersweet news from other dancers, she told Page Six that producers have since contacted her following the honest remarks she made on her iHeartPodcasts platform.

“Yes, since this podcast [I’ve gotten calls]. “It was still very raw for me and it was a very emotional space and it’s still very emotional because I love that show so much,” she confessed, adding that she would “always say yes” They asked him to come back for a future. season.

“But I also come from a place of deep gratitude for my experience on the show. I love this movie so much, and as I said on this podcast, two things can be true at the same time: I can be deeply saddened that I’m not there and wish I was, but I can also be deeply saddened that not to be there. I’m in love with the show and want to encourage it, support it and see it achieve real success.

Even though fans won’t see Burgess in season 32 of the show, she’s certainly busy these days, raising him and Green’s adorable 1-year-old son, Zane. His longtime partner is also the father of sons Noah, 10, Bodhi, 9, and Journey, 7, with ex Megan PKB, and son Ka*sius, 21, with ex Vanessa Marcil.

Burgess, 38, told us she also had a lot of fun recording “Old·ish” with Green, 50, and Spelling, 44.

“Brian and Randy had gotten together and had this idea, but the name ‘Old·ish,’ we were throwing out the idea of ​​three different generations, you know, a life experience. We want to talk about really deep things, but also be funny,” the former disco ball champion explained of coming up with the podcast title.

“I said, ‘Let’s slow down on the old stuff…but what about the ‘Old·ish?’ And then everyone loved it. Everyone was like, ‘That sounds good to me,’ because ‘Old·ish’ doesn’t even mean anything about a number,” she explained.

“You could be a teenager, you could be in your 20s, you could be in your 30s, you could be 80, it doesn’t matter. It’s when you get to a certain point and you think, “Oh my God, I thought this was so far away for me, and now I’m here, experiencing it.” I think that’s what’s so cool about it.

Fans can listen to “Old·ish” on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you listen to podcasts.