After 26 seasons with Dancing with the Stars, two-time mirrorball champion Cheryl Burke is saying goodbye.
“I am sitting here full of so many conflicting emotions about the words I am about to write…Tomorrow night will officially be my final dance as a pro dancer on @dancingwiththestars,” Burke, 38, began, saying leaving the show was “one of the absolute hardest decisions” of her life.
“This show has been my 2nd family since I was 21 years old. The cast, crew & fans have seen me through my highest highs & some of my lowest lows, & I honestly don’t know who I would be today without them.”
Burke began her career with Dancing With The Stars in 2006 during season 2 when she took it all with 98 Degrees singer Drew Lachey. The next season she won again with former NFL superstar Emmitt Smith.
“I hope that you will tune in to see my farewell dance during tomorrow’s Finale as it is dedicated to all of YOU that have supported me, loved me even if you didn’t know me, & who have been such a huge part of my life, my growth, & my story,” she said on her podcast.
“[It’s been] so hard. This is like another type of divorce, but an amicable one,” she continued.
“I do know though that I love to evolve as a human being. I think for me, I’ve done 26 seasons as a professional dancer and I know I’m more than capable to do other things as well.”
Monday night’s Season 31 finale ended with TikTok star Charli D’Amelio winning the mirrorball trophy with pro partner, Mark Ballas. The two beat out Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy, Wayne Brady and Witney Carson, and Shangela and Gleb Savchenko.
“It’s deserved! I called it from the beginning,” Burke said of D’Amelio and Ballas’ win. “I mean, Mark is such a creative genius. I am so proud of him. It’s not easy taking a break and coming back.
“I just love that Mark came back with a vengeance, and with someone who’s so sweet like Charli,” Burke added. “Very well deserved. I’m so happy for both of them.”
