Cheryl Burke Returns to DWTS as a Guest Judge: First Appearance After Three Years

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Cheryl Burke, the American professional dancer whose name is inextricably linked to “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS), is returning to the stage that made her famous.

However, this time, not as a professional dancer, but in a new role as a guest judge.

Cheryl Burke’s return to the DWTS ballroom in October 2025 was a highlight, marking her first appearance in three years since her retirement as a professional dancer.

Burke’s decision to return was motivated by the special occasion of the show’s 20th anniversary celebration, an occasion she felt “perfect” for.

She expressed gratitude for being invited back and was excited to contribute her expertise in this new role.

A familiar face will be creeping into the ballroom tonight for #HalloweenNight 👀 Please welcome #DWTS guest judge Cheryl Burke, former pro and 2x Mirrorball Champion! 🤩 🎃 pic.twitter.com/3uHfxWRlLQ

— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@officialdwts) October 28, 2025

Cheryl Burke says walking back into the #DWTS ballroom was like coming home. pic.twitter.com/xE73O47mQe

— E! News (@enews) October 29, 2025

Cheryl Burke officially returned to “Dancing with the Stars” on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, for the “Halloween Night” episode of Season 34.

This marked her first time at the judges’ table, a role unlike the previous 26 seasons where she competed as a professional dancer.

The former professional dancer and two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner served as a guest judge, marking her first appearance on the ABC series since her exit three years ago.

“I feel so great to be home again,” she told the ballroom.

“Authenticity is what I would love to see from all of you. Technique. Dance as if this is your last dance.”

Recalling the late Len Goodman, Burke also quoted the judge’s iconic advice, “Caution doesn’t win Dancing With the Stars.”

Previously, Burke officially retired as a professional dancer from DWTS in November 2022, after 26 dedicated seasons.

Cheryl Stephanie Burke, born on May 3, 1984, in San Francisco, California, USA, is a professional dancer, choreographer, model, television host, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker.

Burke’s dance journey began at age 4 with ballet lessons, performing throughout the San Francisco Bay Area until age 10.

At age 11, she shifted her focus to ballroom dancing, which led her to compete and travel around the world by age 13.

She graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School in 2002.

Cheryl Burke’s career on “Dancing with the Stars” began with the second season in 2006, where she quickly made history.

She became the first female professional dancer to win the series and also the first to win two consecutive seasons.

Her first win came with Drew Lachey in Season 2, followed by a second win with NFL star Emmitt Smith in Season 3.

With 26 seasons of participation, she is the longest-serving female professional dancer in the show’s history, reaching the finals eight times.

Beyond DWTS, Burke has also had an extensive career.

She finished second in the NBC series “I Can Do That” in 2015 and replaced Abby Lee Miller as the lead dance coach on “Dance Moms” in 2017.

She created, produced, and starred in the live stage show “Love on the Floor” in 2016 and has a podcast called “Burke in the Game” with iHeartRadio.

Burke also published her autobiography, “Dancing Lessons,” in 2011, which discusses her childhood experiences, including abuse.

She is also an entrepreneur with the dance studio Cheryl Burke Dance and the clothing line CeeBee, and an active motivational speaker.

In her personal life, Cheryl Burke married actor-singer Matthew Lawrence on May 23, 2019, after meeting in 2006 and dating from 2007–2008 before reconciling in 2017.

However, she filed for divorce on February 18, 2022, citing “irreconcilable differences,” which was finalized in September 2022. The couple has no children, but Burke won custody of their beloved dog, Ysabella.

For her contributions, she was awarded the Asian Excellence Award in 2008.