Cheryl Burke’s Transformation Photos From ‘Dancing With the Stars’: Rookie Through Now

2006

Cheryl’s look at ABC’s All-Star party was pure mid-aughts, with her fur vest and oversized bag. That year, the professional dancer made her debut on Dancing With the Stars, winning the show’s second season.

In the fall of 2006, Cheryl took home her second Mirrorball trophy, winning the show’s third season with NFL great Emmitt Smith.

2008

Purple satin was the look Cheryl chose for ESPN The Magazine‘s 10th anniversary celebration.

2011

The new decade saw Cheryl grow out her famous short shag in favor of longer locks.

2014

Three years later, a variation of the shag was back when the ABC star attended the People’s Choice Awards.

2017

Cheryl sported a sophisticated look in a gold gown at the InStyle and Warner Bros. 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards afterparty.

2018

2018 saw several major changes in Cheryl’s life. She married Matthew Lawrence, whom she first dated in 2007 before rekindling their romance in 2017. Cheryl also began a sobriety journey after a battle with alcohol addiction.

2021

Cheryl has opened up about her battle with body dysmorphia over the years, especially during her 26 seasons on DWTS.

“You’ve seen me grow up on this show. I started when I was 21 years old. I went through this horrific ‘she’s too fat for TV, too,’” she recalled on “The Amy and T.J. Podcast,” in 2024. “I was growing into who I am as a woman, and with that I did gain weight, you know.”

2022

Neon was the look of the day when Cheryl attended the 2022 iHeartRadio Wango Tango concert. The same year, she filed for divorce from Matthew after three years of marriage and departed DWTS for good after season 31.

Cheryl Burke

Cheryl showed off her freckles with minimal makeup in this July 2023 selfie. She opened up in the caption about sobriety, telling fans, “It’s been 5 years since I started my recovery journey. As I enter my 6th year sober, I have found a newfound purpose that I hadn’t thought ever existed.”

She added, “I no longer want to hold onto any heavy, resentment or anger towards anyone, especially myself moving forward however, this is a daily practice and something that I‘ll work on for the rest of my life. One day at a time though, right?”

Cheryl Burke

The “Sex, Lies and Spray Tans” podcaster looked incredible in a black dress while taking a selfie at home.

That year, Cheryl spoke about her struggle with body dysmorphia, especially when competing on DWTS.

“It would really alter my mood to where, if I felt heavy or if I felt bloated, and I was putting on a costume, then all my insecurities would come out on other people, onto my partner, just in general, just because of that self-hate that I had for myself,” she revealed on “The Amy and T.J. Podcast.”

She added, “Am I still there? I’m not gonna say I’m fully recovered, I’m still healing.”

GettyImages-2205610375 Cheryl Burke

Cheryl attended the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards in a sizzling red outfit. Two months later, she took to TikTok to shoot down speculation that she had plastic surgery.

“The most disappointing part that really gets me, ‘We miss the old Cheryl,’” the Dancing Lessons: How I Found Passion and Potential on the Dance Floor author said regarding cruel comments about her appearance.

She went on to reference remarks about “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Cheryl back in 2006, Dancing With the Stars season 2 when I was 21 years old or the three years ago Cheryl when I was going through a divorce.”

“Cause I hate to break it to you, but that Cheryl doesn’t exist anymore,” she explained.

“I have been in the public eye since I was 21 years old, my body has changed over the past 20 years, my face has changed because I’ve changed,” she said. “I’ve experienced so much trauma, divorce, and this is by no means a pity party. Sobriety, burnout, reinvention, I’ve healed, I’ve lost, I’ve grieved like anybody else.”

“And yeah, maybe it shows, but I’m not sorry for it, not one bit,” Cheryl proclaimed.