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 Australia’s next Bachelorette this year.
The Dancing With The Stars pro came close to taking the coveted gig before former Bachelor star Elly Miles and her sister Becky were confirmed for the role.
In an interview on Demi Burnett’s Big Demi Energy podcast, the 35-year-old opened up about her decision to turn down the show.
‘They offered it to me a couple of times’: Sharna Burgess 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 entire Bachelor franchise, it would be difficult for her to settle down with an Australian guy considering that her life is in America.
Replaced: The Dancing With The Stars pro came close to taking the coveted gig before former Bachelor star Elly Miles and her sister Becky (pictured together) 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 played a role in her not taking the role.
‘It didn’t feel right for me this year, and then covid hit and the pandemic and it’s postponed and all the things, but I was really excited about it for a period of time,’ she said.
‘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 added 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 series, making them the first ever sisters to become The Bachelorette.
‘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 is open to taking the role next year
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 US for twelve seasons, before landing a role on the Australian version’s judging panel in 2019.
She’s kept quiet about her romantic life ever since splitting with British dancer Paul Kirkland in 2015.
New look! The Dancing With The Stars pro recently dyed her signature red hair a flattering shade of blonde and pink