Cheryl Burke Reveals If She Regrets Speaking Out Against "Dancing with the Stars" Ahead of Her Return (Exclusive) Liza EsquibiasOctober 25, 2025 at 2:07 AM 0 Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Cheryl Burke Cheryl Burke is appearing on the Oct.
- - Cheryl Burke Reveals If She Regrets Speaking Out Against "Dancing with the Stars" Ahead of Her Return (Exclusive)
Liza EsquibiasOctober 25, 2025 at 2:07 AM
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Cheryl Burke -
Cheryl Burke is appearing on the Oct. 28 episode of Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge alongside Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli
Burke left the show in 2022 after 17 years and has been openly critical about her disappointment over the experience
Still, she tells PEOPLE she is "grateful" for DWTS and is "excited" to be back in the ballroom
Cheryl Burke is opening up about her return to Dancing with the Stars.
As the former pro, 41, prepares to join judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli as a guest judge for the show's upcoming Tuesday, Oct. 28 episode, she tells PEOPLE it's going to be a "special" moment. It's been three years since Burke left DWTS, and although she has been critical about her disappointment surrounding her exit, she says she's looking forward to being back in the ballroom.
"It's gonna be emotional, but I am here in a different way this time," she shares. "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."
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Cheryl Burke (left); Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli
Burke was on the beloved competition series for 17 years when she decided to take a step away in 2022. She has previously explained that while the departure was voluntary, she had to "fight" for her farewell performance and "lost friendships along the way."
She later called the show out for not inviting her back to pay tribute to late judge Len Goodman for its October 2023 "Most Memorable Year" episode. In April 2024, when asked if she feels like she's still a part of the DWTS family, Burke said, "Definitely not."
Now looking back, she says that she has no regrets about anything that she's shared.
"It's my experience," the former podcast host says. "Unfortunately, when it comes to headlines, I can't control that, and we all know that headlines, unfortunately, sometimes focus on negative stuff. But within the context of what I've always said, I've always gone back to the fact of how grateful I am to have been a part of such a huge, iconic show like Dancing with the Stars."
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Cheryl Burke (left) and Cody Rigsby on 'Dancing with the Stars'
It's been more than 20 years since DWTS first premiered in June 2005, and Burke says that "it just felt right" to make her return in honor of that milestone.
"I've been on the show for 26 seasons," she notes. "No matter what was said or whatever, at the end of the day, it really goes back to the fact that this show has brought so much to my life. It has taught me to have my own voice. I mean, if you would just look at my first audition tape, you would be shocked. I sound so different. It has shaped me into the woman I am today, and I have never denied that. I've always expressed my gratitude to the show for that, for sure. And I think with any relationship, you have ups and downs, and that's just the way life is."
In her three years away, Burke hasn't spoken to any of the pros or judges — although she did exchange some texts with Emma Slater before the current season began — so she says "it's gonna be a huge reunion for sure."
"I'm just really excited," she admits. "Calling it nerves will only bring anxiety, so I'm gonna try and switch that to excitement."
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Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
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