In 2006, Jessica Simpson then returned to the recording studio, switching labels from Columbia to Epic Records. On 29 August 2006, Jessica Simpson released her fourth album A Public Affair, the album debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200, with 101,000 copies sold in its first week, and spent 10 weeks on the Billboard.

Matt Damon's attempts at essaying leading characters in romantic dramas such as 2000's All the Pretty Horses and The Legend of Bagger Vance were commercially and critically unsuccessful. Variety said of his work in All the Pretty Horses: "[Damon] just doesn't quite seem like a young man who's spent his life amidst the dust and dung of a Texas cattle ranch. Nor does he strike any sparks with [Penelope] Cruz." Matt Damon was similarly deemed "uncomfortable being the center" of Robert Redford's The Legend of Bagger Vance.

Brooke Burke and Hough danced a Foxtrot the following week, receiving the first 30 from the judges, plus a group Paso Doble with Maurice Greene and Warren Sapp. The group received a 29 which was added to Burke's score giving her a 59/60 plus the encore for that week. The following week, she danced a Tango and Mambo which she would have to do a 15-second solo. Brooke Burke received a 28 for her first dance and a 27 for the second dance. The following week, she danced a Jive and received a 21, her lowest score and for the first time came in last place for her first dance. Her second dance was a Salsa which received a 28 and tied with Warren Sapp for second place. The following week, she danced a group Samba and received a 28 for her solo. Her second dance was Freestyle which received a 30 from all judges. Her final dance was a repeat of her Viennese Waltz which received a 30. Brooke Burke later won the season and the mirror ball trophy beating Warren Sapp and Kym Johnson.