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If you’ve watched even one season of Dancing with the Stars, you know Cheryl Burke. She was the one with the razor-sharp precision and the "don’t mess with me" teaching style. For 26 seasons, she was a fixture in our living rooms. Then, she just... stopped.
Honestly, seeing Cheryl Burke then and now is like looking at two different people, even if they share the same famous face. Back then, she was a competitive machine. Now? She’s a woman who is finally—and I mean finally—breathing.
The Mirrorball Era: When Winning Was Everything
Cheryl didn't just join DWTS; she conquered it. At 21, she was the first pro to win back-to-back trophies with Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith. It looked like a dream. But behind those rhinestones, things were kinda messy.
The schedule was grueling. We’re talking 10-hour rehearsals, seven days a week, for nearly two decades. Cheryl has been super open lately about how that pressure cooked her brain. She lived in "survival mode." When she wasn't on the dance floor, she was often numbing the anxiety with alcohol. She’s admitted that for about a decade, she was a "ballroom by day, party by night" girl.
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The Physical and Mental Toll
It wasn't just the late nights. The public scrutiny was brutal. People on the internet can be mean, and they didn't hold back on Cheryl. During seasons 7 and 8, she was slammed for her weight. Imagine being a size 4 and having millions of people tell you you’re "too fat for TV." That’s where the body dysmorphia started to really take root.
The Breaking Point and the Pivot
In 2022, Cheryl hung up her dancing shoes for good. Well, mostly. She retired as a pro, citing the "wear and tear" on her body. But it was more than just a sore back. She wanted to evolve. She was done teaching celebrities how to samba.
Her personal life was also hitting a wall. She filed for divorce from Matthew Lawrence in early 2022. They’d been through couples therapy, but there were just too many "red flags," as she put it. Then came the "dog custody battle" of the century over their pooch, Ysabella. It sounds like a tabloid headline, but for Cheryl, it was heartbreaking. She eventually won full custody in 2023.
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Finding a New Voice in Podcasting
Since leaving the ballroom, Cheryl has found her real voice. Her podcast, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans, is basically her therapy session and a tell-all rolled into one. She talks to former partners and co-stars, spilling the tea on what actually happens when the cameras aren't rolling. It’s been a massive hit because it’s so raw. She’s not just a dancer anymore; she’s a storyteller.
Cheryl Burke Now: 7 Years Sober and Stronger
If you look at her today, the change is striking. As of mid-2025, she celebrated seven years of sobriety. That’s huge. She calls it "radical accountability." She realized no one was coming to rescue her, so she had to rescue herself.
She also made headlines recently for a 40-pound weight loss. But unlike the "skinny at all costs" vibes of her 20s, this felt different. She’s been vocal about using intermittent fasting and structured meal plans, but also focusing on her emotional health. She isn't dancing for a judge's score anymore; she's moving for her own sanity.
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The Return to the Ballroom (With a Twist)
In a "full circle" moment, Cheryl actually returned to Dancing with the Stars in late 2025—but as a guest judge for the Halloween special. It was the first time she sat on the other side of the table. Fans loved it. She has that expert eye you just can't fake. There’s been a ton of chatter about her becoming a permanent fixture on the panel, especially since she knows the struggle of the pros better than anyone.
What We Can Learn From Her Journey
Cheryl Burke’s story isn't just about a celebrity who got sober. It's about a woman who had to dismantle her entire identity to find out who she actually was. She went from being "Cheryl the Dancer" to just Cheryl.
Actionable Insights for Your Own Pivot:
- Audit Your "Survival Mode": If you’re numbing yourself to get through your job or relationship, it’s time to ask why. Cheryl didn't heal until she stopped the "ballroom by day, party by night" cycle.
- Embrace Radical Accountability: Stop blaming circumstances. When Cheryl admitted she had no control over her drinking, she ironically gained all her power back.
- Movement as Medicine: You don't need to be a pro. Cheryl now uses "Body Language"—her own program—to focus on movement for mental health rather than just aesthetics.
- It’s Okay to Leave the "Family Business": Even if you’ve done something for 20 years, you’re allowed to want something else. Transitioning from pro to podcaster/judge proves that growth requires leaving your comfort zone.
Cheryl is currently working on more unscripted TV projects and continuing her mental health advocacy. She’s a work in progress, and honestly, that’s way more interesting than a perfect 30/30 score.
To stay updated on her latest projects, you can follow her on YouTube where she’s been posting "Get Ready With Me" videos that are surprisingly deep, or tune into her weekly podcast episodes for the latest ballroom gossip.