Cheryl Burke first captured public attention in 2005 when she was 20 years old and won the second season of Dancing with the Stars alongside Drew Lachey. Today, at 41, Burke faces new rumors about her changing body. Some fans accuse her of using diet pills or plastic surgery. Others say she has health issues. Burke recently spoke with Entertainment Tonight to address these claims.
Clearing the Air: No Pills, No Surgery, No Health Issues
In her interview, Burke answered a series of questions directly. When asked if she had ever used diet pills, she replied, “No.” She also denied having any plastic surgery. Finally, she confirmed she has had no recent health problems.
Burke noted that rumors about her appearance are not new. She has endured comments about “weight gain” since her DWTS days. She finds it sad when these comments come from women. Burke hopes this interview shifts the focus to the deeper work she has been doing away from the public eye. She also wants to promote conversations about mental health rather than speculation about her appearance.
Battling Body Dysmorphia
Burke opened up about her lifelong struggle with body dysmorphia (BDD). She said her insecurities began as a child, long before she joined DWTS. Dancing in front of mirrors each day heightened her self-criticism. During the show, she faced weekly costume fittings and constant comparison to other dancers. She even traveled with a scale.
Removing herself from that environment has been a “great detox.” Now, she does not look in the mirror every day or undergo weekly fittings. Burke said this distance has lifted “a lot of weight” off her mind. She no longer recognizes the dancer who once battled constant self-loathing. “That is not healthy,” she said. “Now I have to choose myself. I have to choose health.”
Prioritizing Health Over Public Opinion
Burke admitted that rumors can still affect her—but not as much as they did during her DWTS years. She hopes people will discuss her work on mental health rather than claiming she has used Ozempic, had her face done, or dramatically changed overnight.
Focusing on her well-being has become Burke’s top priority. She explained that this focus might be why she is not dating right now. “I’m really focusing on myself and feeling good, first and foremost,” she said. She believes that feeling healthy will allow everything else to fall into place.
Continuing the Conversation
This is not the first time Burke has faced such rumors. In May, she posted on Instagram to refute the allegations. She hopes her message encourages others who struggle with self-image issues. Her full interview with Entertainment Tonight is available online.
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