DWTS' Cheryl Burke is 'absolutely heartbroken' and 'cried for days' in an 'emotional rollercoaster'

June 30, 2024

CHERYL Burke has been going through an 'emotional rollercoaster' days leading up to her final appearance on Dancing With the Stars.

The longtime pro performed her last dance on Monday night's finale before saying goodbye.

"Cheryl was in tears all day yesterday and was crying days leading up to the finale," a source told The U.S. Sun.

"It's an emotional rollercoaster for her because she's sad about leaving but also excited about the future."

The source went on to say that she is "absolutely heartbroken" and that her decision to leave "really put her through the wringer."

Cheryl, who was partnered with Good Morning America's Sam Champion this season, confirmed her DWTS exit on her latest podcast on iHeart's Burke In The Game.

DIVORCE 2.0

Cheryl and her ex, Matthew Lawrence, filed for divorce in February after nearly three years of marriage, noting irreconcilable differences caused their split a month prior.

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Their divorce was finalized on September 19, the same day of the season 31 DWTS premiere.

"Breaking up with DWTS was like divorce all over for her," the source said.

"Her divorce had a lot to do with her needing a break. The divorce took a toll on her mental health so she's really going to be taking this time to focus on herself and figuring out what's next."

Cheryl has been a big advocacy of mental health and has said that she'd like to continue on her journey of getting "the messaging out that mental health is important."

NEW CHAPTER

She soon might even be addressing the importance of mental health on a larger scale.

"There's a lot of talk about me being a part of another television show. Stay tuned for that. It is definitely about mental health," she teased.

In the meantime, the ballroom dancer will be continuing her podcast and working on some other projects, which she has yet to announce.

She shared with her Instagram followers, "I am excited about the idea of evolving, about being challenged in new ways, having the ability to expand my commitment to mental health advocacy, focusing on my new found love for podcasting, & I’m ready to face the uncertainty (though it’s scary as sh**) of what the future holds - I do have a few things up my sleeves though, so don’t worry."

As far as whether she'll be getting back into the dating game post DWTS, the source revealed, "She does want to start dating again but it's been a slow process.

"She's been focused on DWTS so now that it's over, she can take that time to go on dates.

"It's not a huge rush for her, but yes she'd like to meet someone she's head over heels for and fall in love again."

POSSIBLE RETURN

Cheryl performed a Samba routine with her "favorite" partners Louis Van Amstel and Pasha Pashkov during Monday's night's finale- ahead of Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas winning the Mirror Ball trophy.

They danced to Barry Manilow's "Copacabana," in which Cheryl dedicated the dance to everyone who has supported her during her career on the Disney+ show.

"It's been an amazing chapter. It has changed my life completely," she said on her podcast.

"It has made me the woman I am today. I'd like to say the woman I am yet to become is not with this family, though it's all bitter sweet."

The season 31 finale also marked the last episode of Len Goodman's position as lead judge.

He announced his retirement during the November 14 episode.

As far as whether Cheryl will be replacing Len next season, the source said that her return as a judge or guest judge is "up in the air."

"Casting doesn't make those decisions until weeks prior to the start of next season," the source told The U.S. Sun.

"At that point, I'm sure she'll be missing the family and want to be part of the show in some way but right now, she's content with her decision and wants to see what these next few months are like."