Why Lindsay Arnold won't return for 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 31? Dancer announces exit in sweet post
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lindsay Arnold is bidding goodbye to the ballroom for the time being. Lindsay, a 'Dancing With the Stars' pro, has stated that she will not be returning for Season 31 of the competition, which will premiere on Disney+ later this month.
The dancer from Provo, Utah made her 'DWTS' debut in Season 16 at the age of 19, making her the program's second-youngest pro dancer after Julianne Hough, who joined the competition at the age of 18. Lindsay made her debut in Season 16, when she finished ninth with NFL wide receiver Victor Cruz. From Season 17 through Season 20, she was assigned to the dancing troupe before returning as a pro partner in Season 21 with National Guard hero Alex Skarlatos, finishing third. She won her first Mirror Ball with Jordan Fisher in Season 25, and she finished 12th with Bachelor Nation star Matt James last season.
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Lindsay, who has been married to Samuel Cusick for seven years and has a nearly two-year-old daughter, Sage, took to Instagram to explain why she is quitting the program. "I wanted to let you all know that I have decided not to be a part of 'Dancing With the Stars' this season. This has been one of the hardest decisions to make but ultimately I have chosen what I feel is best for myself and my family," Lindsay started. "DWTS has been a part of my life for over 10 years now and when I say I love the show with all of my heart I mean it!! This show has changed my life forever and will always mean the world to me," she continued.
"You all know that family is the most important thing to me and doing what is best for my daughter is always going to be at the top of my list!" she added of Sage, who will be two in November. She also stated that she lives in Utah with her family and that when she competes on 'DWTS,' she is required to, "move myself and my daughter Sage out to LA and leave behind my husband Sam who works full time here in Utah. Logistically there is SO much involved with making this happen and there is a lot of sacrifice that has to be made that unfortunately just did not feel right for us this time around," she said. Lindsay went on to explain that they "exhausted every option we could think of to make it work," but none of them "felt good in my heart or felt like the right thing for our lives right now."
"All this being said it's so important to me that you understand none of this has anything to do with my love for the show as that will NEVER change and it also doesn't mean that this is the end for me and DWTS," she stressed. "Although this decision has been so hard to make I feel so much peace about it and know that it is the right thing to do," Lindsay wrote. She went on to say that she will be "the biggest fan girl" this season and that she can't wait to "see all of my friends dance."
Lindsay made the difficult choice to miss this year's competition and concentrate on being a mother instead
Lindsay Arnold will undoubtedly miss being a part of 'DWTS' this year, but she has stated that she is open to returning in the future. But for the time being, motherhood takes precedence. Sage, her daughter, will be two years old in November and is growing and learning all the time. Lindsay simply does not want to miss out on these priceless moments. Lindsay, on the other hand, is passionate about dancing. She even just admitted to enrolling Sage in dance classes.
The dancer, on the other hand, maintains a fairly active social media presence. She is more than delighted to share tiny Sage's achievements with her fans. Lindsay just announced that Sage had recently begun dance classes. "In case you missed it… Sage had her FIRST dance class yesterday," the dancer wrote on Instagram. She shared numerous adorable images of Sage in her pink tutu. Lindsay's friends, family, and fans couldn't believe Sage was already old enough to begin dancing classes. They filled the comments with greetings and warm comments.
Lindsay Arnold enjoys being Sage's mother, but it looks like she may be considering having more children soon. In her farewell post to 'DWTS,' she stated that she and her husband are attempting to "grow" their family, "and that in itself is a complicated logistical thing as I'm sure many of you understand." Lindsay, on the other hand, disclosed in August that she had a false pregnancy test, which crushed her heart. The good news was that Sage was there to help her through her heartbreak and grief.
"When you get a positive pregnancy test and then start your period a few days later but your sweet daughter is there for you every step of the way," she wrote in the sad TikTok video. Many of Lindsay's fans urged her not to give up hope.
@lindsarnold My sweet girl ❤️ I don't know what I would do without her ❤️ #ttc #pregnancy #falsepositive #ttcjourney #daughterslove #momanddaughter #mybestfriend ♬ Can't Help Falling in Love - Haley Reinhart
Lindsay Arnold may not be able to compete this year on 'DWTS,' but there will be plenty to look forward to. On September 19, 'Dancing With The Stars' returns! Fans can watch Season 31 competitors and their partners perform on Disney+.