Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Feel Good Interview Series: Sharna Burgess of "Dancing with the Stars" and "Pen Pals" Off-Broadway - 10 Things to Know about this Australian Dancer/Actor

By Markos Papadatos

Sharna Burgess is an Australian ballroom dancer who is known for her dancing work as a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars." 

Most recently, she made her Off-Broadway debut, and she starred in the Off-Broadway show "Pen Pals" as a British character Mags opposite Paige Davis (TLC's "Trading Spaces") who played Bernie. Burgess shared 10 interesting, fun and exciting things about herself.
Sharna's Favorite Movies
The classics “Hello, Dolly!” and “Singin’ in the Rain” are two of her favorite movies. “The stories are magical, and the films are just beautiful,” she admitted.
Her Favorite Series to Binge-watch
Her favorite series to binge is “Grey's Anatomy” and “High Potential.” “I’ve been binging ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for a long time, and I think that ‘High Potential’ is really fun,” she said.
Her Favorite Cheat Meal
Her favorite cheat meal is “yummy pasta.” “It’s not really a cheat meal but I don’t eat it very often,” she said.
Her Favorite Sports to Watch and to Play
“I used to love playing tennis when I was younger and basketball,” she said. “To watch, I enjoy basketball and the NFL.”
What Sharna Says is the Best Thing about Being her Age
Burgess revealed that she is “In Transition.”
“Now, I am shifting into acting and other forms of storytelling that I love so much,” she said. “I am balancing being a mom; we have four kids at home. I also want another baby. So, it’s a time of transition and balance. I am trying to figure out how to make it all work.”
Her Favorite Mottos to live by
On her favorite mottos to live by, she responded, “You are who you hang with, and you are what you eat.” “If you take care of what you put into your body, then your body will thank you.”
“Also, the people that you put around you will wind up influencing you very much. I hope to be kind and respectful, and that I do the very best that I can. I want to lead people with a good experience,” she added.
What Sharna Burgess Says it the Best Advice She Has Ever Been Given
On the best advice she has ever been given, she shared, “Everything is a choice! I can choose to react one way, or I can choose to react another. Understanding that our choices are within our control.”
If She Could Have a Superpower It Would Be...
Regarding her superpower of choice, she said, “I would love to be able to morph into anything, so shapeshifting. I would love to be shapeshifter to experience flying or breathing underwater or all sorts of things.”
If Sharna Burgess Was not a Dancer She Might Be...
When I was little, I wanted to be a marine biologist because I wanted to swim with dolphins,” she said.
Her Favorite Music
On her favorite music, she revealed, “Honestly, anything and everything. I am a music lover. My Sunday playlist is Etta James.”
For more information on Sharna Burgess, follow her on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Russ Rowland