‘DWTS’ Drama: Cheryl Burke Calls Out Double Standard Towards Her

After two decades of dancing under the glittering lights of Dancing with the Stars, Cheryl Burke is back—but this time, she’s returning to the ballroom as a guest judge.

Ahead of her judging debut on the October 28 episode, the former pro dancer is opening up about the fan criticism directed toward longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba—and she’s not holding back her empathy.

Burke, 41, understands the pressures that come with being scrutinized on a public stage. Speaking with Variety, she noted that viewers tend to “go hard on” Inaba, 57, in ways that feel different from how they treat fellow judges Bruno Tonioli, 69, and Derek Hough, 40.

“I think that’s always been the case,” Burke told Variety. “And she has openly talked about it, how it’s harder for her.”

Burke added that she deeply respects Inaba’s dedication to her craft.

“At the end of the day, this is her job, and she’s doing her job, and she’s doing it well,” she said.

Those words come from a place of personal understanding. Burke has had her own share of public criticism over the years—often noticing a double standard in how women’s opinions are received compared to men’s.

“I’ve experienced it, but in a different way,” she told the outlet. “I’m outspoken about something vs. somebody who is a man, I do see the difference. But you don’t do it for the outside reaction.”

A Familiar Face Returns to the Spotlight

Burke’s return as a guest judge is somewhat like a homecoming. She captivated viewers with her technical skill and daring choreography during her 20 seasons as a regular on Dancing with the Stars.

Her comeback offers not just nostalgia but also the wisdom of someone who has experienced every aspect of the show, from fan favorite to contestant partner to judge.

The fact that this is Burke’s first large comeback since leaving the program in 2022 makes it an especially noteworthy occasion.

Burke’s reflections show a lady who has matured into one with a more distinct sense of boundaries and perspective, even though many spectators remember her for her fiery performances.

A Complicated Relationship with DWTS

Despite her deep ties to the show, Burke has never shied away from being honest about her complicated feelings toward DWTS.

When she wasn’t invited to join the emotional tribute to the late judge Len Goodman, she admitted it hurt—suggesting on her Sex, Lies and Spray Tans podcast that the exclusion felt “so personal.”

That absence underscored how distanced she sometimes feels from the DWTS family. When asked whether she still considers herself part of that circle, Burke answered bluntly: “Definitely not.”

Leaving the show after Season 31 was, by her own admission, an emotional challenge—one she described as even harder than her divorce from actor Matthew Lawrence.

“You can’t compare,” she said. “[DWTS] was my identity… I credit them for giving me a voice in general.”

Finding Peace After the Glitter

Although time has passed since her final season, Burke admits she still hasn’t found full closure. On a 2024 episode of her podcast, she reflected on the emotional toll of leaving behind the friendships and connections she built over nearly twenty years.

“I have no ill will towards anyone, really,” she said. “But I could still be really hurt and disappointed that I’ve lost friendships along the way, and that is called grieving. And everyone grieves differently, and for me, because a lot of these people I’ve known for almost two decades, it’s going to take time to really put that to rest.”

Her honesty about grief and loss reveals a softer side of the dancer—a recognition that moving forward doesn’t always mean forgetting.

Full Circle: From Competitor to Judge

Now, as she prepares to take a seat at the judges’ table, Cheryl Burke steps into a role that feels both redemptive and empowering. Her journey from performer to judge mirrors her evolution as a person who has learned to balance grace, strength, and vulnerability.

Her return isn’t just about dance—it’s about growth, perspective, and the courage to reenter a space that shaped her, changed her, and, at times, hurt her.

But as Burke herself proves, sometimes the greatest performances come not from the dance floor, but from how one chooses to rise after the final bow.

Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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