It is already Week 7 of “Dancing with the Stars” Season 34, and it’s Halloween Night! On Tuesday, October 28, the remaining contestants competing for the Mirrorball Trophy will be judged by a very special fourth person: former DWTS professional dancer Cheryl Burke.
After 26 seasons on the show, there is no denying that Burke knows precisely what she is talking about and what it takes to earn a 10 paddle, but has she ever won a Mirrorball Trophy alongside her celebrity partner?
Has Cheryl Burke Ever Won a Mirrorball Trophy?
Burke won a Mirrorball Trophy early on in the ABC dance competition. In Season 2, she won alongside celebrity competitor Drew Lachey. In a remarkable achievement, and for the first time in the show’s history, she won again, returning as the reigning champ for Season 3 and winning alongside former NFL player Emmitt Smith.
Smith reflected on his “Dancing with the Stars” journey in an Instagram post on October 28. “Go get em tonight @cherylburke!” he wrote. “Reminiscing on my @dancingwiththestars days as my former dance partner, Cheryl Burke sits as a guest judge for tonight’s episode.”
After Season 3, the highest Burke and her competitors placed was second. She did this twice: in Season 8 with Gilles Marini and in Season 13 with Robert Kardashian.
Cheryl Burke Returns to DWTS
Ahead of Halloween Night, the official “Dancing with the Stars” Instagram account posted a photo of Burke on Instagram, along with the announcement that she would be a judge on Season 34. “A familiar face will be creeping into the ballroom tonight for #HalloweenNight Please welcome #DWTS guest judge @cherylburke, former pro and 2x Mirrorball Champion!” the caption reads.
Fans shared their thoughts in the comments. “YAY!!! So excited to watch tonight! She’s my favorite pro-dancer!!! She’s be a great guest judge with her expertise!!!!” a comment reads. “Yesssss!!!! So happy to hear this news!! “ another person shared.
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesBurke exited the show in 2022 and has been vocal about her reasons for quitting. She also recently revealed that since leaving DWTS, she has not stayed in touch with the other pros. “It’s gonna be emotional, but I am here in a different way this time,” she told People on October 24. “I’m here for the couples, and I really hope to be able to give constructive criticism, but also be encouraging. And I know what it takes. I have been there.”
Also in the interview, she said, the only person she had remained in touch with was pro Emma Slater, whom she texted a few times before the start of Season 34. Slater has been paired with comedian Andy Richter, who, despite not being the strongest dancer, has had an incredible run in the competition thus far.
