Cheryl Burke weighs in on ‘DWTS’ scoring debate — and why she ‘has empathy’ for Carrie Ann Inaba
Cheryl Burke, it is so great to be catching up with you today and for a very exciting reason. You are going to be back in the ballroom for Halloween night of Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge. We’re so excited. How thrilled are you to be making your long awaited return? It’s it’s so special. It’s surreal. I can’t believe three years have has passed and um the last time I left that ballroom. It was so emotional and I believe it’s going to be just as emotional seeing everybody again in a good way though, you know. Um it is I’ve grown up on that show as you know and it has been a a huge part most of my life. It’s been almost 20 years of me um in that ballroom in that same exact ballroom. So, and how long have you been keeping this a secret from all of us? And how did like did you reach out? Did they come to you? I mean, no. I mean, look, they they obviously reached out, but I, you know, they knew I was going to never say no to this. They obviously, it’s very, I think a lot of people know that I I wanted to, you know, be given a chance to judge at least. So, I’m just happy that they’re giving me this chance. I’m grateful. Definitely. And Halloween night, they go all out. Hair makeup wardrobe. Oh my god. Not just for the contestants, for the judges as well. So, we know you’re all really a beauty. What can you tease about your look? Do you have a costume ready to um I can just tell you I’m going to be Cleopatra. The haircut, you know. So, this was a this was done with intention this haircut as well. U mind you, it also takes me now half the time to get ready. So, that’s a that is a benefit. That is definitely a positive. Um but I don’t know what I’m wearing yet. I don’t have my fitting until Saturday. Okay. Well, we are looking forward to it. And this season, as you know, we’re seeing a massive viewership with so many new fans tuning in week to week. So, I want to hype you up for a second. You are OG. You are a twotime Mirrorball champion and just a true legend in the ballroom. So, for the new fans that may not, you know, have as much experience with you as a pro. Yeah. Let’s talk about what you think are maybe your top five Dancing with the Stars performances you think that they should watch before tuning in Tuesday. Okay. So, definitely if we’re going to go in chronological order, let’s start with Drew Lach’s Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy. Yes. Season two. Don’t watch. But I would say try and find though it’s a little rough as far as the quality of footage goes, but this was a long time ago. This was in 2006. Um, but yeah, that moment the very first time we did the freestyle in front of everybody. That was the that was a special moment. Then we’ve got EMTT Smith’s I would say our finale samba to um Suk. That was a special moment. Um, Gil Marini’s Argentine Tango done for the first time because, you know, there’s a lot of times we’ve reenacted it. Um, and then I would say Rob Kardashian Samba on that float that we did. I was going to bring him up for our specifically reality TV lover. Yes. Yes. I mean, wow, what a transformation. And then I would say Juan Pablo’s either Samba or Argentine Tango. I love those. Great picks all around. Thanks. And let’s get into this season’s cast a little bit more. Incredible talent that we’re seeing this season. Based on the competition so far, who would you predict that we’ll see in the finale? It’s a tough one and I I actually I can’t even answer that until I start to see who cracks under pressure after doing two dances a week because that really will separate the pack for sure. Yeah, we’re loving all of the love that Andy Richtor is getting. Dylan Efron is someone that I thought recently had a breakthrough. Who do you personally think you were maybe surprised the most by this season from week one to now going into week seven? Elaine. Yes. Oh my gosh. That gravity a superwoman. If Allan doesn’t win an Emmy for that, I I just don’t get it. I don’t know. Yeah. Oh my gosh. I was so excited for him, too. Like you don’t really see him tearing up too. I mean, it was just so It was chilling. If I can get ch if I’m having chills watching a performance just on my laptop, then imagine I can’t even imagine what it’s like in there. I do want to get into the judging a little bit more since you are going to be in the hot seat. Fans have obviously been very vocal about the scoring this season. They always are, but we’re seeing that a little extra more with the viewers. Do you feel that everyone has been scored fairly? Like is there anyone for example just speaking last week that you maybe would have judged higher or lower? We saw the first 10’s final. No, I don’t I I don’t think so. And and also I think for the newer fans, but they um should try and realize I can’t force it down their throats obviously, but you can’t compare the couples because they’re not doing the same dance style. 100%. Now, in a in an authentic I would love for the newer fans to go check out a local dance competition just to see what it’s like because it’s impossible first of all to compare any type of ballroom dance to contemporary one. Two, you can’t even do it with a waltz or a chacha. Okay? And honestly, you can’t really do it unless you do it the way it’s done in the competitive world, which is, you know, the man wears the numbers on the back and we’re all dancing to the same song. We don’t know what the song is, but we know that the BPM of a chacha is the BPM of a chacha, so we can do our routine to that song regardless, right? And so, I wish that they would do this for the marathon. I’ve always said this instead of um, you know, throwing in crazy uh, dances and, you know, lifts and stuff. I would love for the competitors not to know the music until the live show and to treat it very much like a competition because then it would give the audience a feel for what that is. Then you can compare. that will separate the competition in two seconds. Yeah. And I I do feel like looking at everything that people are saying, a lot of people are being hard on Carrie, do you feel like it’s too much? I feel like she’s taking it really well like how she’s up on social media and everything. She is. And I um I forgot what event was this the ver this was like over a year ago. But, you know, she did mention in the panel that she was uh speaking um at, she said that she it was hard for her because it’s just in general like being a woman, right? And I can definitely have empathy and and compassion for her cuz I think I’ve experienced it but in a different way obviously. Um it you know the all the judges have said something that maybe the audience may not like but the reaction of it is been a lot different for sure than when like Kianne says something but then you know look damn if you do damn if you don’t you’re never going to please everybody so the goal should never be about that and I don’t think it is with her or with any judge because if that was the case they wouldn’t have been there that long. Um you can’t change anybody’s minds you know you it is what it is. the bullying needs to stop, but that’s on the social media platform for them to like curate it a little better because it is a problem. I mean, I I understand. I’ve been dealing with it myself lately. Yeah, I know. I was going to ask about that, too. If you’ve been keeping up with all of the social media chatter, like I don’t think I can. I mean, I think I would literally go crosseyed. So, yeah. I just feel like the fans are like convinced that there is so much tension and it’s like I would love to get your take on that like dealing with that as a pro and also how you talk to your partner and encourage them to not let all of that negative commentary like affect their journey on the show. I it’s interesting because I think it affects also the pros maybe a little bit more because this is our work like this is you are a product of what we are instilling and installing in your body right like really like we get the credit but we also get the you know negative with it because like if the choreography may have not been great or whatever it is right I mean this is why the show is so consuming because like it is your as pros it’s their reputation on the 100% two everything everything from your reaction to when you get called safe like you everybody’s watching I mean and and nowadays on TikTok they express that they’re like oh Ezra look at his facial expressions I mean like yo that’s crazy like so you have to really be paranoid about it because you know ultimately every single pro is so grateful to be on that show and for anyone to ever think different is really hard you And that’s not the case. We we dedicate our lives to this show. So, um, it’s it’s you can’t impress everybody. I think once you start to understand that, even though I’m still trying to understand it, that my validation doesn’t come from the outside noise. It comes from within. A lot easier said than done, especially when you’re coming from the ballroom world where we we are being judged our whole life, you know. Yes. Very well said. I think it’s safe to say that the OG loyal fans already know that you’re gonna bring such good energy to the judges panel and constructive feedback. Listening to podcast, you really nail it. You know, you talk about what they need to improve on and we see that. So, what will you Except I don’t I have longer than 15 seconds. This is what’s killing me. That’s very true. This is I love to talk. This is why I prefer long form YouTube content because I can just chatter away. What will you personally be looking for from each couple Tuesday night? O, you know, I think ultimately, I mean, just to make it easy, it’s just really authenticity from every couple and that may mean something different to specific couples, right? So, like, you know, there’s certain things that I have yet to see from certain couples. um when it comes to just the umbrella of authenticity. So the authenticity meaning like staying true to the style that was assigned to you um executing the technique in the correct way. Um look there’s a technique book to ballroom dancing. There’s like a bible for you know standard smooth rhythm latin right you’ve got all four. And though there’s contemporary and jazz that’s not my expertise. So with that with those styles, I will be looking for something different. Obviously, don’t talk to me about tech. I don’t know anything about it and I will stay in my lane and I’m more than happy to admit it. I definitely can in a way um look for I mean if it moves me then it moves me. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. That my body keeps the score. It doesn’t lie. So there’s that. But Halloween night sometimes can be overpowering a little bit with this dramatic music. But it’s about the people who control the music with their movement, right? There’s a different way of approaching it than letting it overpower you. But still, while the challenge with the show in general is ballroom dancing it and that’s what makes it special. It’s not just a dance show. Pull out all the tricks. No, there are actual rules. And I think that is something I’ve studied my whole life. So that’s hopefully something I can share in 15 seconds. Oh my gosh, 15 seconds. I can’t even imagine trying. I can’t I mean it’s it’s a I’m I can only imagine. It’s tough being a judge. Well, we’re all so excited for you and I know even you know when we were talking to you that last time on the press line when you announced your retirement, we did ask if you would ever have the chance to be a judge. Would you do it? And you said yes. I know that’s been something that you wanted to do for a long time. Is there any possibility that this could potentially turn into a permanent spot? Have there been any conversations like that? Oh, I I I No. I mean, I don’t think I I mean, I don’t know. I don’t know internally, right? Like, I’m literally coming in as a guest and um as of now, you know, you just never know. But I’m going to try and stay as present as possible. And um if it turns into something, so be it. If it doesn’t, so be it. I’m just grateful to be here celebrating 20 years. Well, secretly, we have our fingers crossed behind the scenes. You never know. I might I might suck, you know, in 15 seconds. Like, that’s a different ballgame. Now you’re throwing a wrench. It’s been a few years now that you have not been on the show as a pro. So, what has it been like taking the show in as a viewer versus a competitor? I mean, I am just as passionate about the show as I was when I was involved in it. Except this time, I don’t need to choreograph during off hours. I don’t need to stress and question myself every two seconds if it’s good enough or not. you know that part has I am happy to release right like that was a lot of pressure but that was all self it was me doing that to me I can’t blame anybody for that but um it the show has really evolved and it is just so beautiful to see a community really gather around it the bullying has to stop but what the bigger picture is just the ballroom dancing in general just dance you know we’re celebrating it every week regardless and we’re starting convers conversations that, you know, in a way it’s connecting people and I hope it’s connecting families and um this is what it’s always been in my eyes. Nothing’s new there. So, I’m happy to have been a part of something like such an iconic show that really does spread the love of what ballroom dancing is to everybody. And I mean, I’ve been keeping up with you all on social media since you left the show. I love seeing your post because you’re always so inspirational, positive, relatable. Um, so just in your own words now, I would love to hear what life has really been like for you since, you know, your post Dancing with the Stars retirement. It’s, you know, really finding my own identity without the show. And it has been, you know, these posts that I do, uh, it’s interesting because it does trigger people. Well, yeah, it does. It’s very triggering. Um, but I don’t do it for that. I I hope to be helping others, you know, and and if that’s what I need to do to sh showcase my experiences and do so in a vulnerable way, you know, it’s also selfishly very therapeutic for me to do this. Like at the end of the day, we get ready every day, right? For the most part, everybody does. So, I might as well talk about life while while I do it. And it’s been very um interesting just to I I do get daily DMs like, “Thank you. you’ve helped me, you made me want to be sober again or you have helped me find my, you know, my own power from within. And I know it’s real deep sometimes, but it’s necessary because I wish I had somebody that I could relate to when I was going through it. You know, we’re all so excited to hear everything you have coming out and to see you back on Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday. Cheryl, I can’t wait so much. It’s always a pleasure chatting with you. Thank you. Thank you. Good to see you.
Cheryl Burke is making her long-awaited return to “Dancing With the Stars.”
The professional dancer — who retired as a pro in November 2022 — is serving as a guest judge for next Tuesday’s “Halloween Night,” alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
“It’s so special, it’s surreal,” Burke exclusively told Page Six Deputy Editor Desiree Murphy over Zoom, telling us that she’ll be looking for “authenticity” from each remaining couple in the competition. She also explained why she has “empathy” for Carrie Ann Inaba as critics blast the judge for her tough scores this season.
Read more at: https://pagesix.com/2025/10/24/entertainment/cheryl-burke-addresses-dancing-with-the-stars-scoring-debate-and-why-she-has-empathy-for-carrie-ann-inaba/
#cherylburke #dwts
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