Former DWTS Pro ‘Sad’ About How Things Ended With the Show

Longtime “Dancing With the Stars” pro Cheryl Burke opened up about her departure from the show on the January 20 episode of the “Old-ish” podcast.

“I just miss everybody. Like there’s a sadness in that, like, kind of like, I wish it didn’t end the way it ended in a way,” Burke said during the interview.

Burke retired from “Dancing With the Stars” in 2022 after 26 seasons, a decision she previously called “scary.” Burke’s identity was very much shaped by the show, as she’d been a part of it for so long. However, she did feel the time was right for her to end that chapter.

Burke went on to start her own podcast called “Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans.” Each week, she interviewed someone associated with the show. Her guests included former host, Tom Bergeron, former pro, Sharna Burgess, and former competitors from Bill Engvall to Alexa Penavega.

Cheryl Burke Admitted That She Had ‘Resentment Towards the Show’

In her interview with “Old-ish” hosts Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess (Randy Spelling had excused himself before this conversation took place), Burke talked about some of the things she felt after saying goodbye.

“A year ago… there was a lot of resentment towards the show for many reasons, but we don’t need to talk about that. And now, there’s so much peace, but I think there’s maybe some sadness, but there’s no anger,” Burke said, talking about starting her DWTS podcast.

Things changed as time went on, however.

“I just feel so happy for the show, like genuinely for the show, and for the people in it. And I passionately talk about it, because and I don’t, I’m not biased at all. However, it still affects me when people say that, oh, you know, ‘move on’ … so there is something still there.”

Cheryl Burke Is Ending Her ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Focused Podcast

Ending 2024 was bittersweet for Burke. As she prepared for the year ahead, she announced the end of her podcast.

“I have a bittersweet, I guess, announcement,” Burke said on the December 30 episode of her “Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans.”

“I just want to say to you guys that I, as I sit down, you know, I’m to share this message. My heart is honestly just filled with so much gratitude and it’s been such a emotional, I guess, few weeks or a few days since making the decision to pause this podcast. This has been an incredible journey,” she added.