Cheryl Burke has embraced a new chapter in her health. The “Dancing With the Stars” alum revealed this year that she lost over 40 pounds by focusing on her health from the inside out, crediting her transformation to lifestyle changes and a positive mindset.
“For me, it’s all about starting from within first instead of the aesthetic of what I look like from the outside,” Burke, 41, told People. “My goal wasn’t to lose a certain amount of weight.”
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)The professional dancer, who spent two decades in front of mirrors and under industry scrutiny, admitted she once struggled deeply with body image. “As a dancer, we were stuck in front of mirrors constantly. It was important to stay at a certain weight, and my dance coaches were really strict,” she explained.
A Mindset Shift Toward Self-Acceptance
Burke shared that the pressure to stay thin would often impact her confidence. “It would affect my mood on a daily basis if I didn’t feel like I was skinny enough,” she said. “Just being consistently chastised about my weight, it wasn’t fun. I even used to travel with a scale.”
After leaving “Dancing With the Stars” in 2022, Burke began viewing her body with more compassion. She accepted the natural changes that come with time, including slower metabolism and what she calls her “mature skin.”
She now follows an intermittent fasting plan, eats clean foods, and takes daily two-mile walks with her dog. “I just like to continue to move my body and be active,” she added.
Shutting Down Rumors About Her Appearance
Ahead of her transformation reveal, Burke addressed social media speculation that she had undergone cosmetic procedures. In a TikTok video, she firmly denied the claims.
“I’m not on Ozempic, I’m not sick, I didn’t get a face transplant, and no, I did not get a brow lift,” she said. “The way some of you guys talk about me, it’s like you think I’m a headline or a filter. Not a person.”
She reminded followers that her appearance has evolved naturally over two decades in the public eye. “I’ve experienced trauma, divorce, sobriety, burnout, reinvention,” Burke said. “I’ve healed, I’ve lost, I’ve grieved like anybody else. And yeah, maybe it shows — but I’m not sorry for it one bit.”
Back in the Ballroom as Guest Judge
Burke is returning to “Dancing With the Stars” for a special Halloween Night episode, her first time back since retiring in 2022. “It’s going to be a huge reunion for sure,” she told People. “It’s been three years since I last danced, yet it feels like yesterday.”
As she prepares to judge, Burke hopes to bring empathy and encouragement to the ballroom. “I really hope to give constructive criticism, but also be encouraging,” she said. “I know what it takes. People are exhausted at this point in the competition.”
Her advice for contestants: “Don’t aim for perfection, because what is that, anyway? Beauty is in the imperfections — and always dance as if it’s your last.”
“Dancing With the Stars” airs live Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, and streams the next day on Hulu.
I am sorry, first thing I noticed, your face does look totally different.