Cheryl Burke Says Her ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Departure Was More ‘Amicable’ Than Her Divorce From Matthew Lawrence

23.11.2022 - 03:01 / usmagazine.com

A surprising connection. Cheryl Burke addressed her departure from Dancing With the Stars — and threw some unexpected shade at her divorce from Matthew Lawrence at the same time.

After the season 31 finale, which aired on Monday, November 21, Burke, 38, weighed in on her decision to leave the competition series.

“[It’s been] so hard. This is like another type of divorce, but an amicable one,” she told Page Six after her final bow. “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.”

Burke announced that she would be retiring from the Disney+ show days before the final episode. “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. This has been one of the absolute hardest decisions of my life & I am also confident that it is the right one,” the California native wrote via Instagram on Sunday, November 20. “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.”

She continued: “I also know that it is time for me to begin the next phase of my career, although dance will always be a part of me. 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 s—t of what the future holds – I do have a few things up my sleeves though, so don’t worry