Cheryl Burke made her return to the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars Season 34. As a guest judge for Halloween Night, this was her first appearance since leaving the show three years ago. This return was a big deal for longtime DWTS fans, as Cheryl is one of the show’s most iconic pros. After joining the show back in 2006 for Season 2, Cheryl made a name for herself by winning her first season. And she got the mirrorball trophy the next year in Season 3 as well. But after 26 seasons, Cheryl chose to leave the DWTS stage behind. Why did Cheryl leave Dancing With The Stars? Would she ever make a full-time DWTS comeback? Read on below to find out.
Why did Cheryl Burke leave Dancing with the Stars?
Cheryl announced she was leaving Dancing with the Stars in November 2022, as Season 31 was airing. Cheryl appeared on that season with Good Morning America meteorologist Sam Champion, but they were eliminated fourth.
About a month after she and Sam were eliminated, Cheryl announced that Season 31 would be her last as a DWTS pro dancer. She broke the news on Instagram, writing that it was “one of the absolute hardest decisions of my life.” But she added, “I am also confident that it is the right one.”
Cheryl gushed over her career at DWTS, but said, “I also know that it is time for me to begin the next phase of my career, although dance will always be a part of me. I am excited about the idea of evolving, about being challenged in new ways, having the ability to expand my commitment to mental health advocacy, focusing on my new found love for podcasting.” At the time, Cheryl hosted a podcast called Burke in the Game. She continued, “I’m ready to face the uncertainty (though it’s scary as sh*t) of what the future holds.”
At the time, Cheryl told E! News that one reason she left Dancing with the Stars was the “wear and tear” physically. “But also,” she continued, “my heart is telling me to see what else is out there. We are human and we evolve. I do. At least I would like to say that I am a work in progress forever.”
Would Cheryl ever return to DWTS?
Ahead of her return to DWTS as a guest judge, Cheryl was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter. In the interview, she was asked about returning to the show as a dancer. She said, “If I were able to get two hip replacements and and take that pain away after all the years of abusing my body … yes, I probably would love to come back. But I know my place. I also have expectations for myself, and if I don’t feel like I can be my best at the sport, I don’t think I’m doing myself a service.”
While returning as a dancer seems out of the question, what about a return as a permanent judge? Cheryl told Hollywood Reporter, “That’s not up to me.” But she said she was “happy to be back in the ballroom” as a guest judge for now. She continued, “But even more than that, I really just want to contribute to the show’s legacy in a meaningful way.”
Cheryl reflects on how DWTS has evolved since her exit
In the same interview, Cheryl said she was thrilled by the DWTS’ surge in popularity over recent years. Especially since, in Cheryl’s last few seasons, the show’s future wasn’t so certain. But she also is not surprised that the show endures and continues to evolve.
“What’s been so great about the last few seasons is getting that younger generation involved,” Cheryl remarked, “And look, they’re involved. I mean, they are just doing all these TikToks. My whole algorithm [has] been [creators] critiquing the couples. It’s really great to see people bond over this, and it’s created such a community, which is beautiful to watch.”
After all, it’s pretty incredible that DWTS Season 34 is one of the show’s best. It seems certain that the show will remain a phenomenon for years to come. As for Cheryl’s role in DWTS going forward, fans will have to wait and see.
Dancing with the Stars is available to stream on Disney +.
TELL US – DO YOU MISS CHERYL BURKE COMPETING AS A PRO ON DANCING WITH THE STARS? WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE HER AS A PERMANENT DWTS JUDGE?
