Former “Dancing With the Stars” pro Cheryl Burke is opening up about being the target of online bullying and how she has kept her cool. “I’ve also chosen this path, and I want to empower others,” she shared with Us Weekly.
In May, Burke revealed she had lost between 30 and 35 lbs. through a healthy diet and exercise regimen. “I have so much more energy than I ever have,” she told People at the time.
But her physical transformation came with an unexpected backlash. On social media, Burke became the subject of scrutiny, with people making unkind comments about her appearance. It has been suggested that the dancer had various cosmetic procedures, used weight loss drugs, and even lightened her skin, all of which Burke denies.
“To say that the social media bullying has not affected me would be a lie,” Burke told us Weekly. “I’m human … There were days it got really bad, and I did get depressed because it’s now on a whole other level of dehumanizing.”
However, Burke expressed that she’s had enough and is taking her power back. “I need to find peace and stay grounded so that when it does happen, I can keep moving forward and know who I am as a person,” she said, adding, “I am done being judged.”
Burke’s Tools for a Healthy Outlook
Despite the toll the online bullying has taken, Burke has learned to overcome the need to be accepted by anyone other than herself. “All I can do is control my actions,” she explained. “I’ve stopped scrolling, and I try not to read any comments, though it’s tempting.”
Burke also revealed that she has other tools to help her maintain a healthy outlook, explaining that her strength “has a lot to do with work I’ve been doing with my therapist of close to 15 years.”
The dance pro has found holistic methods that help as well. “Also an energy healer I’ve been working with has helped me remember who I really am, and that the outside noise doesn’t define me,” she explained.
Burke Has Made Positive Changes Through Sober Living
Burke recently celebrated 7 years of sobriety with an inspirational Instagram post. “Today, I no longer chase chaos dressed as fun,” she wrote in the caption. “I no longer tolerate connections that require me to abandon myself. And I no longer mistake numbness for peace.”
The ballroom pro admitted that maintaining her sobriety amid the stress of having her appearance picked apart has been challenging, but she made it clear she is staying strong. “I’ve taken so much time to love who I see in the mirror, that is something that’s also new to me, but I definitely am on that path,” she said.
