Elly and Becky Miles were not Channel 10’s first choice for The Bachelorette – as Dancing with the Stars’ Sharna Burgess reveals why she turned down the role first
Sharna Burgess has finally confirmed longstanding rumours that she was set to become this year’s Bachelorette.
The Dancing with the Stars pro came close to accepting the offer, before former Bachelor contestant Elly Miles and her sister, Becky, were cast for the role instead.
In an interview on Demi Burnett’s Big Demi Energy podcast, the 35-year-old opened up about her decision to turn down the Channel 10 dating show.
‘They offered it to me a couple of times’: Sharna Burgess (pictured) has opened up about turning down The Bachelorette this year
‘They offered it to me a couple of times actually because I judge Dancing with the Stars in Australia,’ she explained.
‘I considered it long and hard and thought about it, but it didn’t feel right for me.’
The Los Angeles-based beauty admitted that while she’s a huge fan of the Bachelor franchise, it would be difficult for her to settle down with an Australian guy considering that she lives in America.
Replaced: The Dancing with the Stars pro came close to accepting the offer, before former Bachelor star Elly Miles (left) and her sister, Becky (right), were confirmed for the role
‘It didn’t feel like it lined up right, but who’s to say that that next year it won’t? If I’m still 36 and single next year, I’ll be calling The Bachelor like, “Okay, let’s do this! I need some help.”‘
Sharna also admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic had played a role in her decision.
‘It didn’t feel right for me this year, and then the pandemic hit and it’s postponed and all the things, but I was really excited about it for a period of time,’ she said.
Candid: ‘I considered it long and hard and thought about it, but it didn’t feel right for me,’ Sharna told American Bachelor star Demi Burnett on her Big Demi Energy podcast
‘I need a regular season and if it comes around again, then maybe that’s when it’s the right time,’ she added, optimistically.
Sharna said that it would ‘probably make more sense’ for her to do the American version of the series, since her life is based in the States right now.
Elly and Becky Miles will now front the new season of The Bachelorette, making them the first ever sisters to lead a series.
‘I need a regular season and if it comes around again, then maybe that’s when it’s the right time’: The 35-year-old dancer is open to accepting the role next year if she’s still single
The season is currently being filmed with strict coronavirus restrictions in place to ensure the safety of the cast and crew.
Sharna worked as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars U.S. for twelve seasons, before landing a role on the Australian version’s judging panel in 2019.
She has kept quiet about her romantic life ever since splitting with British dancer Paul Kirkland in 2015.
New look! Sharna recently dyed her signature red hair a flattering shade of blonde and pink