- Cheryl Burke is set to make her highly anticipated return to Dancing with the Stars as a guest judge for the first time in three years since her 2022 departure.
- The veteran pro dancer reveals she has not “recently” been in contact with her former colleagues, setting the stage for what she calls a “huge reunion.”
- Burke will join the judging panel for the special Halloween episode on Tuesday, Oct. 28, which will feature the grueling “Dance Monster-thon.”
- She credits the show with shaping her life and career, and she intends to use her extensive experience to provide constructive and encouraging feedback to the competitors.
Cheryl Burke’s Shocking Return to the Ballroom
After 26 seasons as a professional dancer, Cheryl Burke is returning to her old stomping grounds, but this time with a new role. The two-time Mirrorball champion is making her first appearance in the ballroom in three years, taking a seat at the judge’s table for the upcoming Halloween night episode of Dancing with the Stars. Her return marks a significant moment for the series, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
“I think that it just felt right,” Burke, 41, told PEOPLE exclusively. She acknowledges the profound impact the show has had on her life. “No matter what was said or whatever, at the end of the day, it really goes back to the fact that this show has brought so much to my life. It has taught me to have my own voice… It has shaped me into the woman I am today.”
An Awkward Reunion? Burke on Her Connection with the Pros
While fans are eagerly awaiting her return, Burke revealed a surprising detail about her relationship with the current cast. She admitted that she has “not recently” been in contact with the other professional dancers, making her return a true reunion in every sense.
“[Emma Slater] and I texted maybe before the season started,” she recalled. “But no, I mean, it’s gonna be a huge reunion for sure. It’s three years, yet it feels like yesterday. But three years. It’s been a while. I can’t believe it’s been three years.”
Describing the moment as both “special” and “emotional,” Burke is choosing to focus on excitement rather than nerves for the live show.
A New Perspective from the Judge’s Table
Joining Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, Burke aims to bring a unique perspective honed from years of competing. Having been in the dancers’ shoes, she understands the immense pressure they face, especially as the competition intensifies.
“I really hope to be able to give constructive criticism, but also be encouraging,” she shared. “I know what it takes. I have been there. I know also at this point in the competition people are exhausted. The fatigue has set in, and it looks like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.”
Surviving the “Dance Monster-thon”
The Halloween episode will test the nine remaining couples with the show’s infamous dance marathon, rebranded as the “Dance Monster-thon.” Burke’s advice to the exhausted competitors is simple but powerful: “Don’t aim for perfection, because what is that, anyway?”
She added, “Beauty is in the imperfections, for sure, and to always dance as if it’s your last dance, because you never know.”
Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.