Cheryl Burke returns to the ballroom. The longtime Dancing with the Stars pro, who retired at the end of season 31 after competing on 26 seasons, is scheduled to return as a guest judge during the Oct. 28 Halloween episode.
The two-time Mirror Ball champion has been vocal about her love for the show over the years. On her way home, she admitted that she really wanted to be a judge. Although that didn’t happen, she’s “really excited” to return for season 34.
But as the show has once again become a huge hit, reaching 100 million votes in its two-week voting tally last week, the professionals, celebrities and judges are all also facing negative feedback online from very picky viewers. “It’s very hard when people attack you for things you can’t control,” she told Variety before returning to the ballroom.
Below, she weighs in on criticism of judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s scoring, shares advice for the pros as social media buzz grows, and hints at what kind of judge she’ll be when she returns to the ballroom.
I can’t believe it was three years ago that we were talking about your departure. What do you think about coming back as a guest judge?
Sometimes it feels like it was yesterday, and sometimes it feels like it was forever ago that I was back. It will be very special and very emotional. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone. It’s been a very long time. I’m looking forward to meeting new dancers and seeing the people behind the scenes who don’t appear on camera. This show has a lot of history. I never went to college, but I think this would be the same reaction if I left home to go to college or something and hadn’t seen my parents for a few years.
How did it come about? Did you contact them or call them?
I think they knew all along that I wanted to do that. It was a mutual thing. They obviously reached out and we took it from there. And I could never say no, they know that.
Cheryl Burke talks about ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 31
©Disney+/Courtesy of Everett Collection
You’ve spoken out about your disappointment when you weren’t invited to Len Goodman’s memorial service. Were you a little surprised that you were invited again?
Yes and no. I was on that show for about 20 years. Long-term relationships are bound to have a roller coaster of emotions. But I believe we have all moved on. It happened several years ago, and after all, they are my family. Sometimes families clash, but most of the time we all love each other.
You know a lot about the details and technical aspects of ballrooms. Are you going to be strict as a judge?
I hope to empower and encourage, but of course I will be constructive. Speak for 15 seconds! That’s going to be the hardest part for me. Ultimately, I want to help those people. Yes, if they did a great job, we’re going to praise them. But for me, I really want to work on the technical side of things, regardless of the subject. I’m looking for authenticity between the two people dancing together, authenticity to the style of dance assigned.
There are many fans on social media who are noisy about scoring and judges’ feedback. What do you think about that?
I’m not surprised. Other than the bullying, I think it’s great. That’s what makes it really hard not to watch it, especially if you’re still into the show. I obviously want feedback and preferably positive comments here and there. But it’s hard when people are attacking you for things you can’t control.
I wanted to bring this up last week, but when I asked Jan Ravnik, who is in his first season, about the social media aspect, he immediately rolled his eyes and talked about how much hate and negativity there is right now. What advice would you give to professionals in particular to deal with that?
I remember my mom sending me a message board in 2006. They were really mean! “Mom, stop doing that. I don’t want to see that.” But it’s hard to (not look), especially when you’re in such a vulnerable place. Jean has never appeared on the show before. You have to have some self-control not to scroll or look for people commenting about you. That’s a bit impossible. I think we need to take it with a grain of salt. You also need to free yourself from it for a little while. In general, that’s all you can do, so just focus on yourself. he’s doing a really great job. It’s not easy to join a show with a well-oiled machine. Considering he stepped into something like this, he did a really great job. It’s huge.
andy richter and emma slater
disney
Andy Richter is still in the contest, which surprises everyone, including him. He is such a lovely person, but clearly his dancing is not at the level of other celebrities. This week he had three 7s. What do you think of his journey so far and his evaluation?
This is nothing new for this show. Everyone is very shocked. Things like this have happened. welcome! I’m not surprised at all. This guy could easily make it to the finals. By the way, he remains true to himself. And I don’t think there’s a secret there. Emma (Slater) is a great partner. I don’t know if he would have gotten along better with anyone else, but that’s a credit to the casting directors and showrunners. They know the pros. The aim is always to try to support people. No one is setting anyone up for failure.
This season, not only the team, but the judges, especially Carrie Ann, have faced a lot of criticism online. What do you think about it?
To the two men sitting there, I agree with their harsh attack on her. And I think it’s always been that way, and she’s talked about it openly and how difficult it is for her. I experienced it too, but in a different way. I can tell the difference when it comes to someone who is a man whereas I am upfront about something. But we don’t do it because of external reactions. After all, this is her job, she’s doing her job, and she’s doing it well.
The podcast “Dancing with the Stars” ended last December, but at the time you said, “This is not goodbye, it’s ‘see you again.'” Do you have any plans to revive it?
i don’t think so. I think it was one chapter, but it was a very busy chapter that took up all my time. It was more than a full-time job!
I know a lot of pros will be coming back to dance at the 20th anniversary show. Would you like to be one of them?
We’ll probably be back. I don’t think he’s going to appear.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
“Dancing with the Stars” airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET on ABC and Disney+ and streams on Hulu the next day.
