‘Dancing With The Stars’ Cast Rumors 2013: Is Kym Johnson Leaving ‘DWTS’ Season 17?

Australian professional dancer Kym Johnson will miss aeason 17 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” according to Us Weekly. Johnson has claimed two Mirror Ball trophies in the competition, but now the blonde beauty is taking them Down Under as she pursues a new career opportunity in her home country.

"I will be taking the next season off from DWTS USA, so that I may accept an amazing work opportunity back home in Australia," Johnson told Us Weekly, though she would not divulge what the new gig was. "I am excited, nervous and humbled by this chance and look forward to sharing more about it with you soon."

"I wish all the dancers and celebrities in season 17 nothing but love and success," Johnson said, "and hope to see you all back on the dance floor for season 18."

The 37-year-old first waltzed onto the show for its third season in 2006 and then went on to win a Mirror Ball trophy for the first time with Donny Osmond in 2009 and then she took first place again in 2011 with football star Hines Ward.

While many fans will be sad to see Johnson leave, plenty more will be happy if “DWTS” bad boy Maks Chmerkovskiy returns for another season of the hit ABC reality dance show. He told Access Hollywood there is a definite possibility of his return to the series. “The format [of the show is] changing. We’ve got one show a week now, but I think it’ll make a better show, more jam-packed. And so I’m excited about it.”

Fan favorite Derek Hough has taken a break from the show in the past but came back for the last season and wound up taking first place with singer Kelly Pickler.

The show is slated to begin on Monday, Sept. 16, at 8/7c on ABC, so tune in to see which favorite may or may not be on the all-new season.