5 Shocking Truths Cheryl Burke Revealed About Her Traumatic Stint On Dance Moms (And Her Current Regret)

As of December 12, 2025, professional dancer and two-time *Dancing with the Stars* champion Cheryl Burke continues to reflect on her brief, dramatic tenure as the replacement coach on Lifetime’s hit reality show, *Dance Moms*. Her time on the show in 2017 was a pivotal moment in the series’ history, marking a stark contrast to the abrasive coaching style of her predecessor, Abby Lee Miller. Burke’s current perspective, often shared on her popular podcast, offers a deep, empathetic, and often shocking look at the psychological toll the show took on its young stars. While her stint was short, it cemented her role as the "anti-Abby," a coach focused on rebuilding the dancers’ confidence rather than tearing them down. Her recent public conversations about her own sobriety and past trauma shed new light on why she was so determined to protect the talented, yet fragile, young dancers of the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC).

Cheryl Burke: Biography, Career Highlights, and Net Worth

Cheryl Stephanie Burke is an American professional dancer, model, and television host, best known for her record-breaking run on *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS). She was born on May 3, 1984, making her 41 years old as of late 2025. Burke was born in San Mateo, California. Her professional career began in ballroom dancing, leading her to become one of the most recognizable faces in the industry.

Key Biographical Profile

• Full Name: Cheryl Stephanie Burke
• Date of Birth: May 3, 1984
• Age (2025): 41
• Place of Birth: San Mateo, California, U.S.
• Primary Career: Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Television Host, Podcaster
• Known For: *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) and *Dance Moms* (Season 7)
• DWTS Championships: Two-time Mirrorball Champion (Seasons 2 and 3)
• Net Worth: Estimated to be between $3 million and $4 million, primarily from her television work, modeling, and business ventures.
• Current Projects: Host of the popular podcast *Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans*.

Her time on *DWTS* spanned 26 seasons, making her one of the show's longest-running and most beloved professional dancers before her emotional departure in 2022.

The Traumatic Takeover: Replacing Abby Lee Miller in Season 7

Cheryl Burke’s arrival on *Dance Moms* in 2017 was a direct result of the dramatic and controversial exit of Abby Lee Miller. Miller, facing legal troubles and prison time, abruptly left the show, creating a vacuum that Burke was hired to fill for the remainder of Season 7. The transition was anything but smooth, not because of the girls, but due to the volatile environment left behind.

The Trauma of the ALDC Dancers

The most immediate and shocking observation Burke made was the psychological state of the young dancers. She openly stated that she felt "a lot of the girls... have been traumatized by the experience" under the previous regime. This was a powerful statement that validated the long-standing concerns of the show’s viewers and the mothers themselves. Burke noted that the children were insecure, not just about their dancing, but about their self-worth. Her entire approach became centered on "cleaning up Abby’s mess" and restoring their love for dance.

A Different Kind of Discipline

Coming from the highly competitive world of ballroom dancing, Burke was not afraid of being strict, but she drew a firm line at yelling or emotional abuse. Her philosophy was to be a tough coach who demanded excellence without resorting to verbal attacks. She made it clear she wanted to ensure the dancers did not "lose their love of dance." This softer, yet professional, approach immediately clashed with the established culture of the *Dance Moms* mothers, who were used to the high-drama, confrontational style that defined the show.

Clash with the Dance Moms

While the girls, including stars like Nia Sioux and Kendall Vertes, were reportedly receptive to the change, the mothers provided a different challenge. Burke was hired to replace a coach who had normalized yelling and public humiliation, and she went "toe to toe with difficult dance moms" who were entrenched in the reality TV drama. The competitive mothers, who were key to the show's drama, were a constant hurdle, forcing Burke to manage the adults as much as she coached the children. She specifically worked to celebrate dancers who felt overlooked or criticized for their bodies, such as Nia, whom she wanted to help "celebrate her."

Current Reflections: Breaking the Curse and Finding Empathy (2025)

In the years since her time on the show, and particularly in her recent interviews and podcast appearances, Cheryl Burke’s reflections have become more layered and personal. Her current life focus on sobriety and mental health provides a powerful context for her brief stint on the show.

1. Connecting the Trauma to Personal Sobriety

A significant and current theme in Burke’s public life is her journey to sobriety and her discussions about childhood trauma. In her current reflections, she has implicitly connected the psychological damage she saw in the young dancers to her own past struggles. This personal context explains her immediate and intense empathy for the girls, viewing her role not just as a coach, but as a temporary protector against a toxic system. She understood the weight of external pressure and emotional abuse.

2. The *Highs and Lows of Life* Podcast Reunion

A key piece of recent information is Burke’s appearance on the podcast *Highs and Lows of Life*, hosted by former *Dance Moms* stars Christi Lukasiak and Kelly Hyland. This reunion with the original cast members demonstrates an ongoing, positive relationship and allows for a more candid, relaxed discussion about the show's impact, away from the Lifetime cameras. This platform provides the most current and unfiltered perspective on her time with the mothers and girls, solidifying her place as a supportive figure in their lives.

3. Realizing the Show's True Nature

Burke has been candid that she did not fully understand the intensity and toxicity of the show before joining. She admitted to not having watched *Dance Moms* prior to her casting, which meant she was not fully aware of "how traumatized and insecure the girls were" until she was in the studio with them. This realization quickly shifted her focus from competition to emotional repair, a mission that ultimately made her experience unique but also challenging for a reality show built on conflict.

4. The DWTS vs. Dance Moms Comparison

Burke’s extensive experience on *DWTS* provided a sharp contrast to the *Dance Moms* environment. She has often highlighted the difference between the constructive, adult-focused environment of ballroom and the highly pressurized, child-focused drama of the ALDC. This comparison underscores her belief that the *Dance Moms* environment was fundamentally unhealthy for young talent, a view she has maintained in her post-show commentary.

5. The Regret of Not Staying Longer

While she was only brought in for the remainder of Season 7, Burke’s current reflections suggest a sense of regret over the limited time she had to truly "break the curse." Her mission was to instill a sense of self-worth and joy back into the dancers, a process that takes more than a few episodes. Her legacy is one of a brief, compassionate intervention that proved a stark alternative to the Miller method, but left the long-term emotional work unfinished. In her current role as a podcaster, Burke has cemented her position as a voice for mental health and positive change in the entertainment industry. Her time on *Dance Moms*, though short, remains a powerful example of an expert stepping into a toxic environment and choosing empathy over manufactured drama.