Cheryl Burke Speaks Out Against Critics Over Body Criticism

The former contestant of the popular show “Dancing with the Stars” is opening up about the intense public scrutiny she has been under regarding her physical changes and her desire to shift the narrative around it.

Recently, Cheryl Burke spoke out following an incident on TikTok where she directly addressed online bullies accusing her of using Ozempic and getting cosmetic treatments.

During a fresh interview with Entertainment Tonight, Burke expressed her feelings towards the constant speculation and negative feedback about her looks, highlighting how overwhelming and disheartening it has been for her.

“Let’s talk about mental health, let’s talk about what I’ve done in the last few years when I haven’t been in the spotlight,” she said. “I’m proud of that work.”

Burke emphasized that while she understands fame comes with attention, she still feels gaslit by the relentless focus on her looks.

“I wish the conversation would be more towards and geared towards that instead of ‘She is on Ozempic, she got a whole face lift and everything about her has changed’… gaslighting,” she admitted. “If I were to say it doesn’t affect me, I’d be lying.”

“But does it affect me as bad as it did when I was on the show? Not even close,” she added. “I know I’ve signed up for it… but I just hope to influence anyone, especially young women, that there is more depth to a human being than their physical appearance.”

The professional dancer, who first rose to fame on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” also revealed her longtime struggle with body dysmorphia. She said it peaked during her time on the show when weekly costume fittings made her obsess over her weight.

“My weight has always been an issue,” Burke shared. “In the height of my insecurity and my body dysphoria was weekly fittings on the show. I don’t blame the show by any means, but it’s just the name of the game…squeezing into these costumes. It would affect me to the point where I would weigh myself constantly. I would travel with a scale. That’s crazy.”

Burke credited her recent weight loss to healthy lifestyle changes, including her participation in the food program Zen and a shift in her eating habits, not any of the dramatic methods fans have speculated about online.

Just days ago, Burke shared a video on TikTok, addressing the body shamers.

“Let’s just address the elephant in the comment section,” she said in the now-viral video. “I’m not on Ozempic. I’m not sick. I didn’t get a face transplant, and no, I didn’t get a brow lift.”

Burke ended the video by calling out the intense projection and judgment she’s seen online. “The level of projection that is happening and that I’m witnessing is wild,” she said.

Despite the criticism, Burke is standing strong and encouraging fans to focus on self-worth beyond appearances. “I’m proud of the work I’ve done,” she said. “And I just wish the conversation would be more about that.”

“As far as wearing one of the outfits, I would probably get on some, I don’t know, some sort of strict diet,” Burke admitted. “But that’s my body dysmorphia that I’ll forever have… I’m very open with that.”

Though she did admit to facing some harsh comments during her time on the show, specifically in her early years. “I went through this horrific like, ‘She’s too fat for TV,’” she claimed. “I was growing into who I am as a woman as well. And with that, I did gain weight.”