DWTS 21: People Confirms Peta Murgatroyd “Out For the Season”

Damn…this was one partnership I was really looking forward to 🙁 According to People, Peta has indeed decided to sit this season out after finding out she will require surgery on her ankle that will “sideline her for 6-8 weeks”:

Having just come off a three-month, live DWTS tour, Murgatroyd “felt great” heading into rehearsals with her season 21 partner, Andy Grammer. But one day, after putting on her heels, she says she could tell “something was not right.”

“I wanted to check it out properly and make sure I was good to go for the season,” says the pro dancer, 29. “I Got my MRI results back and it was a really bad diagnosis. It showed I had 4 torn ligaments and a floating piece of bone at the back of my ankle. My doctor said I needed surgery and I knew I needed to put my health first if I want to keep dancing on the show into my 30s.”

I gotta applaud Peta for having the strength to say “I need to rest” – I’ve known too many dancers that have tried to soldier through some injuries, only to end up even more injured…and a few times, with their dance careers ended as a result.

As we mentioned in the main cast reveal post, DWTS360 says that Lindsay will step in to replace Peta as Andy’s partner this season; but Peta assures People that she “will be in the rehearsal studio as much as possible to assist” this season. Here’s wishing Peta a speedy recovery, and good luck to Andy and Lindsay this season! 🙂

ETA: Vogue here. Below is a twitter statement from Peta. Awww, I love her. Peta, I just know you will be back to us stronger than ever soon! Lot’s of love and hugs! Get Well Soon!!!

The past three days have been really tough to say the least..I learned that my ankle injury is at a stage that needs surgery immediately. I’m so sorry but I have to step out of Season 21 of DWTS. This is obviously one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made and I seriously struggled with the idea of not being able to dance, but I know my health does come first, and the sooner I get this done, the sooner I can be back in the ballroom for all of you! 6-8 weeks is nothing in the grand scheme of things and I hope to be back before the season ends, doing group numbers and of course cheering on Andy and my friends in audience. It killed me to let someone else take care of Andy, who is such a genuine loving guy. But I know he will be in good hands. I will miss the show so much but just know that I will come better back than ever, and with a brand new ankle 🙂 Thank you for all the love today, I loved reading all of your supportive tweets, even though I couldn’t say anything until now. I will also keep you all up to date on my progress and of course you will see some silly ‘before and after’ surgery pictures ? Lastly, I love you all and thank you for always being so positive for me. Peta will return in no time at all ????

ETA2: Below is a video report from Entertainment Tonight…