When you wonder what happened to Cheryl Burke on Dancing With the Stars, the full story isn’t just about stepping away—it’s about transformation, resilience, and redefining success. After a remarkable 26-season run as a professional dancer on the hit show Dancing With the Stars (DWTS), Cheryl Burke’s path took unexpected turns—both on-camera and off.
A Storied Career Comes to a Close
Cheryl Burke’s tenure on DWTS was nothing short of legendary. Beginning in Season 2 and continuing through Season 31 (2022), she became one of the most decorated—and recognizable—professionals in the show’s history. Along the way:
- She won the mirrorball trophy twice early in her career and reached the finals multiple times.
- Her performances became hallmarks of the show’s era, helping shape DWTS’s identity.
- She announced her departure following the Season 31 finale in November 2022, citing the need for personal growth and change.
Leaving the show was hard. Burke later admitted that stepping away from DWTS felt “hands down” tougher than her divorce from actor Matthew Lawrence—because her identity had been so intertwined with the ballroom and the live weekly grind.
Since then, many have asked: what happened to Cheryl Burke on Dancing With the Stars? The answer reveals a multi-layered transition.
Life After the Ballroom: Identity, Wellness & Reinvention
Following her exit, Cheryl Burke embarked on a meaningful shift away from the spotlight of weekly rehearsals and live broadcasts. Key elements of her journey:
Mental & Physical Health Focus
Burke opened up about struggles with body dysmorphia during her time on DWTS, explaining how constant mirror checks, costume fit-ins and live ratings added pressure. She described it as:
“I weighed myself constantly. I travelled with a scale.”
Post-DWTS, she prioritized holistic health—mental wellness, clean eating, consistent walking and lower intensity fitness. She publicly shared that she’d lost roughly 30-35 pounds and felt more energetic than she had in years.
She also faced scrutiny over her appearance and chose to respond publicly:
“I’m not on Ozempic. I’m not sick. I didn’t get a face transplant.”
By reframing her external evolution as internal growth, she pushed back against body-shaming and online speculation.
Professional Pivot
With dance-floor demands behind her, Cheryl has explored:
- Podcasting and hosting (she co-hosts a lifestyle-and-culture show).
- Advocacy around mental health, body image and addiction recovery (she’s openly shared her sobriety journey).
- Media projects and brand partnerships more aligned with wellness and personal storytelling, rather than competition choreography.
In short, the chapter after DWTS isn’t a “career pause”—it’s a career redefinition. This answers what happened to Cheryl Burke on Dancing With the Stars: she stepped away from competing and stepped into a broader version of herself.
What Has She Said About Her Departure?
Burke has been candid—and sometimes critical—about her former role on DWTS. A few remarks stand out:
- She said she has “zero interest” in returning competitively, emphasizing that the physical and emotional toll of pro-partnering a celebrity was no longer appealing.
- On her podcast, she encouraged future DWTS celebrities to be single, citing how intense the rehearsal process becomes and how it can strain real-life relationships.
- She proposed creative critiques of the show, suggesting DWTS could benefit from judges with more formal dance training and from shifting its tone to better support professionals behind the scenes.
Through these comments, Cheryl makes plain: leaving the show didn’t mean silence—it expanded her voice.
Why Her DWTS Exit Was So Impactful
For the DWTS community, Cheryl’s departure marked a shift. She was one of the few pros whose name had recognition beyond the show—making her exit more than a routine cast change. The effects included:
- The departure of a bridge between DWTS’ early years and its modern form.
- A reminder that long-running reality-competition shows evolve not just via new contestants, but via exits of legacy figures.
- Inspiring fans and professionals to consider the athlete-lifestyle behind the glam: the 8-hour-a-day rehearsals, the public image pressure, and the constant performance mode.
In short: her leaving wasn’t just about one dancer—it symbolised the larger lifecycle of the show itself.
Where Cheryl Burke Stands Today
As of late 2025, here’s a snapshot of where Cheryl Burke is:
- No longer competing on DWTS.
- Actively choosing new creative projects rooted in authenticity and wellness.
- Publicly embracing her changed appearance and refocusing on internal health rather than external image.
- Maintaining a connection with the dance world and DWTS fanbase, but on her own terms.
She has made it clear that what happened to Cheryl Burke on Dancing With the Stars is that she exited the competition arena and is now operating from a place of empowerment rather than obligation.
What This Means for Fans & Potential Professionals
For those who followed her DWTS journey, Cheryl’s transition offers takeaways:
- Change is okay: a long-term role—even a defining one—can eventually become limiting, and shifting course doesn’t mean failure.
- Well-being matters: leaving the spotlight allowed her to reclaim health, identity and self-worth beyond ratings.
- Legacy evolves: fans may long for “the old Cheryl” on the dance floor, but her legacy isn’t static—it grows through new chapters.
- Boundaries are vital: her commentary on the demands of DWTS (e.g., intense rehearsal schedules, public image stakes) reminds aspiring participants that reality competition is more than glitter and applause—it’s grit.
The Short Answer to “What Happened to Cheryl Burke on Dancing With the Stars”
Cheryl Burke’s story is not one of “she quit the show” but of “she outgrew the role she loved.” She left competitive dancing after 26 seasons, turned the page on one chapter, and began writing the next—with more control, clarity and self-space.
While her time on DWTS shaped her career and public identity, her current path shows that what happens after the spotlight is just as important as what happens under it. Her legacy on the dance floor remains intact—but now, it’s only part of who she is.
In bold, she didn’t vanish—she evolved. Her journey invites reflection on career endings as beginnings, and offers hope that the next step can become the most fulfilling one yet. Feel free to share your thoughts below or revisit her story to stay connected.