By Amanda Williams, Polly Hudson
Cheryl Burke has had enough. Throughout her career, including 17 years competing as a pro on Dancing With the Stars (which she left in 2022), she’s endured relentless body shaming. She also suffers from body dysmorphic disorder, an intense fixation on her looks and perceived flaws. For decades, she took other people’s critiques to heart. No more. “I am done being judged,” the San Francisco native tells Us.
Burke’s final straw was an onslaught of online bullying: After years of being told she was too big, her recent weight loss brought out brand-new trolls. Strangers tuning in for her popular “Get Ready With Me” videos and other social content felt comfortable telling her they thought she looked better before. Some accused her of using weight-loss drugs, having excessive plastic surgery and undergoing skin lightening, all of which she denies.
“It’s a tired subject, and it’s not just talking and commenting,” Burke says. “People are making full-on TikTok videos that they’re editing together, scripting, using graphics, arrows, to point out my face, about the scars that they supposedly see.” She tells Us she’s astonished by the amount of time people have dedicated to tearing her apart. Burke admits that her appearance has changed, but says it’s part of a
natural transformation, both metaphorical and literal. “Think about the mask I was wearing on the show, from head to toe. My skin color was 20 shades darker,” Burke, 41, tells Us. “That was just what I knew; that’s the competitive ballroom world. I’m learning and realizing who I am underneath all of the makeup, without the tanning beds, the spray tans, all of the extra stuff that I now call a mask.”
With a renewed, recharged outlook on life — she’s single, celibate and seven years sober — Burke sat down with Us at home to discuss learning to please the only judge that matters: herself.
[EXCERPT]
Us: You spoke about struggling with body dysmorphia. Have you ever considered yourself as having an eating disorder?
CB: I actually don’t know… I think the disorder was my body dysmorphia. I definitely have body dysmorphia. When I look in the mirror, especially during my fittings, let’s say for a dance costume, I’m not seeing what everyone else is. I’m seeing somebody who most likely is heavier. If I was in a dress showing my back and I saw a roll, it would ruin my day. I was an angry person when I didn’t feel good.
Us: Tell Us about your healthy-eating plan.
CB: Z.E.N. is a program that delivers fresh food to your home; it’s basically having a chef. The food is delicious and it’s portion control. [Daily calories range from 1,200 to 1,400.] I have oatmeal with fruit every morning. I have a snack, pita, chips and hummus. Lunch is normally a salad, and then I will have my dinner.It’s not diet food, it’s real food. When I first started Z.E.N., five or six years ago, I’d supplement with drive-throughs because I was actively dancing and I was an emotional eater. I
would only eat at night. Now I don’t even remember the last time I had fast
food; it’s just not something I’m craving.
Us: Would you say you’re limiting yourself?
CB: I’m not trying to lose weight anymore. I eat licorice. I have my morning fruit shake, which is more calories than any of my meals that I’m eating. I have to have my matcha from Peet’s Coffee every morning, and if they have the warm pretzel bread, I’ll get it because it’s just the best thing in the world. I’m very lenient.
Us: How long will you be on Z.E.N.?
CB: I don’t ever plan to stop unless I move out of California. It’s created more balance in my meals. I’ve learned that starving myself, then eating one big meal, doesn’t work for my body. I was also not wanting to eat in front of people — that was a trigger for me. Being called out for being overweight, the last thing you want to do is shove food in your mouth in front of people, especially people who are fit and on the show with you.
