Sharna Burgess and Jesse Metcalfe.Photo:Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty
Kelsey McNeal/ABC via Getty
New light is being shed onJesse Metcalfe’s side of the story afterSharna Burgessmade claims about theirDancing with the Starspartnership.
A rep for theDesperate Housewivesalum, 44, responded to Burgess recallinghim a “really difficult” partnerfor season 29 of the ABC dance competition on the latest episode of podcastOld·ish. (Burgess did not name Metcalfe but he was partnered with Burgess that season.)
“If she is referring to a time where our client Jesse Metcalfe worked with Ms. Burgess four years ago, the only recollection was that they didn’t get along,” the rep tells PEOPLE in a statement.
“Vague insinuations are not only reckless but also irrelevant," the rep continues, before referring to the professional dancer, 38, as “highly unprofessional” for publicly making “insinuations just to promote the first episode of her podcast.”
Sharna Burgess and Jesse Metcalfe perform on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on October 12, 2020.Eric McCandless/ABC
Eric McCandless/ABC
The rep also adds that Metcalfe is personally “not commenting on this. He is taking the high road.”
A rep for Burgess did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
On the Sept. 12 debut episode of her new podcastOld·ish— which she co-hosts withher boyfriendBrian Austin Greenand Randy Spelling — Burgess reflected on her journey after becoming a pro on the ABC dance competition in 2013.
She admitted that she was in “this space of self-blame” when she was not asked back the following season. After working through her struggles during the hiatus from the show, Burgess returned to the ballroom for season 29 and was partnered with Metcalfe until they wereeliminated in week fourof the competition.
Sharna Burgess and Jesse Metcalfe perform on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on September 28, 2020.Eric McCandless via Getty
Eric McCandless via Getty
“They had me back the following season and I had a partner that was really difficult — and not say too much because I don’t want to,” she said. “I wasn’t able to be in the room alone with him after the first couple of weeks because of things that happened.”
She added, “That was rocky and we were eliminated very quickly.”
After her claims, Metcalfe’s rep told PEOPLE in a statement, “There is really no story here. Jesse is a gentleman and prefers to take the high road.”
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Dancing with the Starsseason 32 premieres Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
source: people.com
