Why Did Cheryl Burke Leave 'Dancing with the Stars'? She Explained Her Exit After 26 Seasons

Back in 2022, Cheryl Burke announced she was exiting Dancing with the Stars as a pro dancer after 26 seasons competing on the ABC reality TV series.

Now, the 41-year-old dancer is returning for season 34 to act as a guest judge on tonight’s episode!

You may be wondering…why did she decide to exit DWTS? At the time, she explained her reasoning.

Keep reading to find out more…

She told Variety in an interview back then, “After 26 seasons, it has been quite an amazing run and journey. If I were to just talk as an athlete, a dancer and a woman, my time has been up. I’m 38 years old. When I came on as a competitive dancer at 21, It was a different story. That decision in itself was really tough for me — to put everything aside, to come [to Los Angeles] and do a TV show that I had no clue was gonna last for this long. My intention was just to be here for one season and move back. I guess the full circle year is the fact that I decided now to also take a leap of faith. There’s so much more that I want to do, other than teach a celebrity how to dance. Mind you, this has been a beautiful thing. I’m not saying that in a bad way whatsoever. I’m saying this in a graceful way. However, it’s time. I want to continue to evolve, whether that be with the show or not, is not up to me. However, as a dancer, I am hanging up my dance shoes.”

At the time, she also said she wanted to become a DWTS judge!

“They are very well aware that I want that seat. It’s not that I just want it, I just know that I can contribute because I am an expert in ballroom dancing. I can say that with confidence. I can also say that my teaching methods haven’t been known to being sugar coated. I have a lot of experience doing Dance Moms,” Cheryl said.

She continued, “They have been very well aware for probably a few years now. So unfortunately, that decision is not up to me. I would love to still be a part of the family, I just would love a different role on the show, just like anybody after 26 seasons of having that same title. I think it’s important, for me at least, to feel like, okay, let’s grow together as a brand and also for me as a person. If that’s not with the show, then I’m moving forward and I’m moving on.”

Cheryl previously revealed that she had 3 DWTS romances and revealed the identity of one of the men.