Cheryl Burke is no stranger to the spotlight, but the Dancing With The Stars veteran is now taking a powerful stand—this time not with her dance moves, but with her voice. At 41, the professional dancer, who became a household name after joining the hit ABC competition at just 21, is calling out the relentless scrutiny of her physical appearance while opening up about a deeply personal journey of healing, growth, and mental wellness.
In a candid interview with Entertainment Tonight, Burke addressed the barrage of speculation and criticism about her recent transformation. While acknowledging that fame brings public attention, she made it clear that being in the public eye does not mean she should tolerate cruel assumptions or invasive comments. “Let’s talk about mental health,” she said, passionately redirecting the narrative. “Let’s talk about the work I’ve done from the inside out.”
Cheryl Burke’s Appearance
Burke has spent over two decades in front of cameras, but the conversation around her has shifted dramatically in recent months. Accusations have flooded social media, accusing her of using weight-loss drugs like Ozempic or undergoing cosmetic procedures. The remarks, she says, are not only unfounded—they’re also deeply harmful.
“If I were to say it doesn’t affect me, I’d be lying,” she admitted. “But does it affect me as bad as it did when I was on the show? Not even close.”
Despite the backlash, Cheryl remains grounded. She explained that she’s proud of the work she’s done on herself—work that isn’t reflected in a mirror or defined by a number on a scale. “I wish the conversation would be more geared toward that instead of ‘She got a facelift’ or ‘She’s on Ozempic.’ It’s gaslighting.”
A Personal Battle with Body Dysmorphia
Behind the sequins and spotlight, Cheryl has been fighting a private war. She revealed in the interview that she’s lived with body dysmorphia since childhood—a condition only exacerbated by her dance career. “I do suffer from body dysmorphia… especially as a dancer in front of mirrors constantly, since I was a little girl,” she said.
Her time on DWTS intensified this struggle. Weekly costume fittings and the pressure to look a certain way led to obsessive habits. “I would weigh myself constantly. I would travel with a scale. That’s crazy,” she shared. “The number would dictate how I felt every day.”
Despite the hardships, Burke doesn’t blame the show. Instead, she sees it as part of a larger cultural issue—one that needs more attention and compassion, especially for young women trying to find their identity in an image-obsessed world.
No Ozempic, No Surgery—Just Real Change
After endless rumors about her appearance, Cheryl took to TikTok to set the record straight in the most vulnerable way: barefaced and real. “Let’s just address the elephant in the comment section. I’m not on Ozempic. I’m not sick. I didn’t get a face transplant or a brow lift,” she declared, stripping off her makeup in the video.
She addressed the cruel comments head-on, referencing how many people claimed she looked like a “different person,” saying, “This is not Cheryl Burke,” and labeling her as “Ozempic Cheryl.” But Cheryl reminded fans that the version of herself from Suite Life of Zack & Cody or even three years ago during her divorce doesn’t exist anymore—and that’s okay.
“My body has changed over the past 20 years. My face has changed because I have changed,” she said. “I’ve experienced trauma, burnout, sobriety, reinvention, and healing. Maybe it shows—but I’m not sorry for it, not one bit.”
Embracing a Healthier Lifestyle, Not a Quick Fix
Burke credits her recent weight loss to a structured food program called Zen and a commitment to healthier eating habits, not shortcuts. She emphasized that transformation—both inside and out—takes real effort, not just a pill or a procedure.
“It takes a lot of self-care,” she said. “People don’t see the work that goes into this. It’s not a quick fix. It’s a lifestyle, and it’s one I’m still working on every single day.”
A Message for Young Women and Critics Alike
Perhaps the most powerful part of Cheryl Burke’s renewed public voice is her message to others navigating similar journeys.
“I just am here to hopefully influence anyone who is in a similar position or who can relate—especially young women—that there is more depth to a human being than their outside appearance,” she stated.
Burke also had strong words for those who continue to speculate and make invasive remarks: “The assumptions are exhausting. The accusations are cruel. And what’s most shocking is that so many of them come from women.”
In her TikTok caption, she added a final note to critics: “Stop dissecting women’s bodies like they belong to you. This is your reminder: I don’t owe you an explanation for my healing—or for anything, quite frankly.”
Looking Ahead
Having retired from Dancing With The Stars in 2022 after 26 seasons, Cheryl is now focused on her passion: advocacy for mental health and body image. She may have stepped away from the ballroom, but she’s stepping fully into a new chapter—one that prioritizes authenticity, healing, and helping others feel seen.
“This is me at 41. I’m still healing, still growing, and still choosing to show up,” she said.
Cheryl Burke’s story is a sobering reminder of how society treats women in the spotlight. It’s also an empowering example of how strength isn’t always physical—it can be the quiet, internal kind that takes years to build. As Burke continues to use her platform to speak out, perhaps the conversation will finally start to shift from how women look to who they truly are.
