Brooke Burke does not like to dwell on the past.
The Dancing With the Stars alum, who was a contestant on the ABC competition series in 2008 before returning as co-host in the early 2010s, recently shared why she isn’t joining Tom Bergeron, the OG pros and more in returning for its 20th anniversary Nov. 11.
“I never say no just to never close doors, professionally, but that was eight seasons and I did everything I needed to do in the ballroom,” Brooke detailed during a Nov. 4 appearance on I Choose Me podcast with Jennie Garth. “Amazing relationships. At the time, it was one of the most watched shows on television. It would be hard to go back there with the same level of excitement and appreciation.”
As the 54-year-old put it, “A redo is hard for me. I feel like I wrung it out and did everything I needed to do on that show.”
But while Brooke—who shares Neriah, 25, and Sierra, 23, with ex Garth Fisher, as well as Rain, 18, and Shaya, 17 with ex David Charvet—isn’t stepping back into her dancing shoes, she looked back extremely fondly on her over four years on the show.
“It was a silly reality competition but it was so much more than that for me because you face your fears, you get out of your comfort zone,” Brooke—who took home the season seven Mirrorball trophy with then-pro Derek Hough—reflected. “I like to do scary things. Training like an athlete, learning how to think like an athlete.”
Being a contestant, Brooke noted was “one of the hardest things,” she’d ever done, emphasizing it was “terrifying.”
However, the experience not only earned her a huge win, but also informed her experience stepping in alongside longtime host Tom—who was with the franchise from 2005 to 2019—when she signed on to host the series from season 10 through 17.
“Being a host allowed me to bring a different level of compassion and connection to that skillset,” Brooke explained. “I knew what it was like when nobody wanted to talk to me or they couldn’t hear me or they were so upset or their adrenaline was so high.”
Indeed, the mom of four felt her time in the spotlight made her peek behind the curtain even more rewarding.
“It allowed me to be a much more colorful and competent host because I knew both sides of it,” she added. “It was so much fun, it was such a great show to work on. What a blessing that show was.”
But while Brooke didn't return for the milestone episode, a number of former contestant and professionals did—read on for more.
Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jørgensen, Edyta Sliwinska, Ahly Costa & Louis Van Amstel
All six original pros from season one—inlcuding Alec Mazo—returned for the show's birthday. In fact, they opened the episode with moves that proved they've still got what it takes to dance to the top.
Apolo Anton Ohno & Rashad Jennings
The Olympic speed skater (season 4 winner and season 15 contestant) was Jordan Chiles' partner in the relay dance against Elaine Hendrix and her guest partner, NFL alum and season 24 winner Rashad.
Xochitl Gomez & Joey Graziadei
Season 32 winner Xochitl partnered with Robert Irwin against Alix Earle and her partner, season 33 winner Joey for the relay dance.
Rumer Willis & Kaitlyn Bristowe
Rumer (season 20 winner) partnered with Dylan Eforn in the relay dance against Andy Richter and Kaitlyn (season 29 winner).
Kenya Moore
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star returned to the ballroom after competing on season 30 with Brandon Armstrong.
Chandler Kinney
The Disney Channel star, also partnered with Brandon, returned after placing 3rd in season 33.
Daniel Durant, Ilona Maher & Marlee Matlin
The season 31, season 33 and season 6 alums struck a pose together on the event's red carpet.
Kelsey Anderson
The Bachelor alum was there in support of her fiancé Joey as he hit the stage with Alix.
Sabrina Bryan
The Cheetah Girls star returned to the ballroom 18 years after she competed on season 5, before going on to compete in the all-stars 15th season.
Kristi Yamaguchi
The former champion smiled wide upon her return to the ballroom after skating to the top during season 6.
Charity Lawson
The Bachelorette alum—and season 32 contestant—was a vision in gold on the red carpet.
Lindsay Arnold
The former pro—who last competed during season 30—returned to the ballroom.
Stephen Nedoroscik
The Olympian was all smiles during his return after flipping his way to fourth during season 33 with partner Rylee Arnold.
Bill Nye
The science guy returned to the ballroom 12 years after he became the dancing guy during season 17.
Jenn Tran
The Bachelorette alum, who placed 7th alongside partner Sasha Farber during season 33, struck a pose.
Chrishelle Strause
The Selling Sunset star returned after finishing in 8th during season 29 with partner Gleb Savchenko.
Ariana Madix
The Love Island USA host showed off her new darker hair while returning after placing 3rd with Pasha Pashkov in season 32.
Scott Hoying & Sasha Farber
The season 34 contestant, who was eliminated alongside Rylee, struck a pose with the former pro.
Amanda Kloots
The 4th place finisher from season 30 returned to cheer on her former pro partner Alan Bersten.