EXCLUSIVE: 'DWTS' Pro Sharna Burgess Gushes Over Nick Carter: 'I'm So Proud of This Guy'

Sharna Burgess and Nick Carter may not be waltzing across the stage together anymore, but that doesn't mean they haven't remained close.

ET caught up with the Dancing With the Stars pro at Vanity Fair and L'Oreal's "DJ Night" Party at Palihouse in West Hollywood, California, on Friday, where she opened up about how her former partner has become "family."

WATCH: Nick Carter Sued for Battery After Alleged Bar Scuffle

"I just saw him perform [Thursday] at the Saban Theatre, he was incredible," she gushed. "Seriously reminded me of how talented he is. I couldn't believe it! Once upon a time, I was his fangirl with Backstreet Boys and the next thing you know, I'm sitting in the audience. I'm so proud of this guy that I now call family. So it's just incredible."

The 30-year-old dancer also told ET that the two remain supportive of each other, through good times and bad. When Carter was arrested in January for an alleged involvement in a bar brawl in Key West, Florida, Burgess said she was "surprised" when she heard the news and wanted to make sure he was OK.

WATCH: Nick Carter Breaks His Silence After Arrest for Florida Brawl

"I texted him straight away as soon as I heard," she revealed. "He told me really what was going on and it's just a shame that these things get splashed all over the media, blown out of proportion and taken the wrong way. He's such a good person."

"Once I heard his story it all made sense," she continued. "You know, like I said, he's family to me. So, the minute I heard I texted him to make sure he was OK and to get the true story. You never know what you hear."

Last month, ET caught up with Carter's BSB bandmate, A.J. McClean, who echoed Burgess' sentiments.

"We're all human, we all make mistakes, we all put our pants on the same as everybody else," McLean said at the premiere of The Finest Hours in Hollywood, California. "It's just sad now because of social media… there's no way to keep anything secret. If you mess up, everybody knows."

WATCH: Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean Defends Nick Carter After Arrest