Los Angeles, CA – Former “Dancing With The Stars” professional Cheryl Burke recently shared valuable advice for future celebrity contestants looking to join the popular TV series. Burke, who completed her 26-season journey on the ABC dance competition show in 2022, highlighted the common occurrence of romances between the show’s pros and their celebrity partners. She even admitted to having three “showmances” during her time on the series.
In a recent episode of her “DWTS” podcast “Sex, Lies & Spray Tans,” Burke discussed the reasons behind the development of feelings between celebrities and pros during filming. She described the intense nature of their relationships, emphasizing the demanding rehearsal schedule that requires spending an “insane” amount of time together. According to Burke, this close proximity leads to either extremely positive or negative connections.
The former “DWTS” pro explained that the challenging environment of the show, where pros and celebrities spend eight hours a day, seven days a week together for three months, fosters a sense of vulnerability and intense relationships. Burke highlighted the need for participants to either genuinely like or dislike each other due to the constant togetherness during rehearsals.
Notably, Burke shared a story about a former celebrity contestant confiding in her about his crush on his pro partner, despite both being married at the time. Although nothing happened between them, the contestant’s family suspected an affair, illustrating the intimate and close-knit nature of the show.
Burke emphasized the vulnerability of celebrities on the show, mentioning how stripping down emotionally is essential for success. She observed that many married celebrities may not have experienced such vulnerability with their spouses, making the experience on “DWTS” unique and challenging in terms of building connections.
In another revealing moment, Burke disclosed her past romances with three of her “DWTS” partners, singling out former NFL player Chad Ochocinco Johnson as one of them. Despite trying to continue a relationship with one partner after the show, Burke acknowledged that it was not meant to be, highlighting the transient nature of showmances based on “lust.”
Overall, Burke’s insights shed light on the complexities and challenges of forming relationships on “Dancing With The Stars,” offering valuable advice to future celebrity contestants considering joining the show. Her candid revelations provide a glimpse into the intense and emotional journey experienced by participants in the world of competitive dance.