Australian professional ballroom dancer Kym Johnson has announced that she will not be returning for season 17 of ‘Dancing with the Stars.’
The successful pro revealed to Us Weekly, “I will be taking the next season off from ‘DWTS’ USA, so that I may accept an amazing work opportunity back home in Australia. I am excited, nervous and humbled by this chance and look forward to sharing more about it with you soon.”
Kym joined ‘DWTS’ for season 3, and has won the coveted mirror ball trophy twice–in 2009 with Donny Osmond and 2011 with Hines Ward. She finished in runner-up spot with Warren Sapp and Joey Fatone.
Other celebs who partnered with Kym: Jerry Springer, Mark Cuban, Penn Jillette, David Alan Grier, David Hasselhoff, David Arquette, Jaleel White and Ingo Rademacher.
Johnson plans to return next spring, “I wish all the dancers and celebrities in Season 17 nothing but love and success and hope to see you all back on the dance floor for Season 18.”
Earlier this year Kym appeared on season 3 of ‘Celebrity Apprentice Australia’ but got fired during the fourth week as the losing project manager.
Catch the premiere of ‘DWTS’ Season 17 Monday, Sept. 16 on ABC.
Photo: WENN