Here is why former DWTS Pro Dancer Cheryl Burke has no plans to return to the show

DWTS
DWTS Former Pro Dancer Cheryl Burke | Image Source: Instagram/ @cherylburke

Former DWTS pro dancer Cheryl Burke recently opened up about her possible return to the dance reality show. In her latest US Weekly interview, dated September 27, 2024, she also commented on various aspects of the show since she left and shared about her podcast, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans.

The highlight of the interview was how Cheryl didn't want to "return" to the dance competition show as a "pro dancer." Show fans must know that DWTS Season 31, aired in 2022, was Cheryl's last season with the ABC Network show.

Referring to her retirement from DWTS, Cheryl Burke shared,

"I’m done with that. Feelings aside, I just have zero interest in teaching another celebrity how to dance, to be quite honest."

Additionally, Cheryl also recalled how she initially announced back in 2022 about her exit from DWTS,

"I don't think I would be in a spot where it would be so easy for me to get sucked back in a way where it starts to define me again. And I'm still a little vulnerable to say, 'OK, I'm ready to do that.' "

Former DWTS Pro Dancer Cheryl Burke opens up about being "done" with the show and more: Details explored

The former DWTS pro dancer also mentioned that despite being almost two years since she parted ways from the dance show, she still has many "unanswered" questions.

She was referring to not being called back on the Dancing With the Stars for a potentially different role. However, Cheryl also mentioned that the most probable reason behind not being called back might be her "podcast."

"I can only assume — obviously I would guess it was the podcast — but hopefully now they understand that there's no harm in this podcast whatsoever. We don't even talk about the show until the end, and most of the interview (is) about them."

After joining DWTS Season 2 in 2006, Burke was with the show until Season 31, excluding a few seasons. With years of experience obtained from the show, Cheryl was expecting to join the show in a different "capacity," aka a different role, such as being a judge.

Talking about that during her Variety 2022 interview, Cheryl shared at the time,

"They are very well aware that I want that seat. It's not that I just want it. I just know that I can contribute because I am an expert in ballroom dancing. I can say that with confidence. I can also say that my teaching methods haven't been known to being sugar coated."

The former DWTS pro dancer added that, unfortunately, that decision was not "up to her" and that she would love to join the show with a different "role."

"I just would love a different role on the show, just like anybody, after 26 seasons of having that same title."

What did the former DWTS pro dancer Cheryl Burke do after leaving the show?

After leaving the show, Cheryl started her podcast, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans, inviting former participants and discussing various topics.

Additionally, referring to her decision to start her podcast, Cheryl also suspected that it might have been the reason for her not being invited to the ABC show's events. She was referring to not being invited to former judge Len Goodman's tribute, which was held in October 2023.

Further, in her US Weekly interview, Cheryl stated that she is "still grieving," but not as much as she used to a year ago.

"I just feel like I am still, in a way, grieving but not nearly as heavy as it was a year ago. I also feel like it's been helpful to hear my guest's stories and what they've been through, because we don't have that time to talk."

Upon being asked if Cheryl would ever be called back on the show, would she be going back? She revealed that as a "pro dancer," she's "done." Cheryl also mentioned that she thinks of it as her past.


Fans can stream Dancing With the Stars Season 33 on ABC, and a new episode will be released on October 7, 2024.

comment icon
Comment
Edited by Sarah Nazamuddin Harniswala