October 16, 2022 • 14 mins
While Cheryl and Sam have been eliminated, it’s not all sadness filling the room. Find out what they’re thankful for and why Cheryl feels excited about her next chapter which, (spoiler alert) may not involve DWTS.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
This is Burke in the Game and I heard radio podcast.
All right, Hello, welcome to Burke in the Game. This
is your host, Cheryl Burke, who has now been eliminated,
unfortunately from her twenty six season on Dancing with the Stars.
Oh well, you know, we tried, and I have to
(00:26):
say we ended with a bang literally um, because you know,
I think deep down Sam probably couldn't have been happier
physically yet sad emotionally. I know for a fact that
Sam wish he would have actually performed better on Monday,
(00:48):
that is last Monday, Um, that was our last show day,
UM for Disney plus night. You know, he has done
it the routine that is a lot better than what
he you know, showed you guys during the live show.
But honestly, you know, this is a game of who
is the mentally fittest, really before dance, before being physically fit,
(01:14):
this show is a roller coaster of emotions, and if
your emotions and if your mental state isn't intact, this
show will literally wrap you around its finger and spit
you out. I'm not saying that's what happened to Sam
and I. However, because Sam was really injured. He woke
up a little late Monday morning, you know, which is
(01:36):
not like Sam at all, and he just didn't feel himself.
He was saying that to me from Monday morning, from
when we do our band rehearsal as soon as we
get to the studio, and so from then on it
was kind of a hit and miss. I guess you
could say, you know, we worked really hard on Sunday.
We had a rehearsal Sunday and he nailed it. But honestly,
(02:01):
the positive it was physically really challenging, you know, not
just for Sam, but for anybody who would have danced
that routine. And I have to say, I think subconsciously,
you know, Sam was basically done because it was just
so hard. Every morning it was just you know, really
hard for him to get out of bed. And you know,
(02:23):
to be honest, this is probably what was meant to
be because we would have had to prep for four dances. Yep,
you heard me write four dances. Because even if we
wanted to just do that one more dance that I
was talking about that I really wanted to do Boogie Wonderland.
That was going to happen Monday night. But we don't
(02:45):
know because there's gonna be two eliminations this week. There'll
be an elimination on Monday and elimination on Tuesday, so
we actually would have had to prep for four dances.
And the reason why I say four is because Monday
night there's two live shows this coming week. Monday is
um Night I think, or Monday Night's Most Memorable, Tuesday's
Prom Night or something like that. I don't know. And
then they have a full on dance relay where all
(03:09):
the couples are on the competition floor together in the ballroom,
dancing to dances that they've never done, which is the
Hustle and Lindy Hop. Everyone's dying. I'm on all these
group text messages and it is not fun right now.
I always say, you know, there comes a time in
the competition where you hit the mid season blues, and
(03:33):
we're at that point, I think, the last couple of weeks.
So I just want to say, you know, thank you
so much, Sam for this amazing journey. It really, uh
was so much fun and so great to reunite not
just our friendship, but also just to learn about each
other even more than we already knew right about each other.
(03:56):
So it was so awesome to be able to, you know,
really have these intimate conversations just about life. And you know,
Sam really helped me so much when when it comes
to just like learning how to appreciate life to really
you know, continue just learning in general. I think that
(04:19):
Sam even said, you know, we went to dinner the
other night with um. You know, I went with Sam
and his beautiful husband, Rebem, and we had some really
amazing conversations. And you know, because of the show and
the intense schedule, you don't really get a chance to
go out as much because you've already seen like what
twelve hours of each other a day. So we went
out last night. I went to their hotel in Beverly Hills.
(04:42):
We had a nice long dinner and we just talked
about life in the future and what what that looks
like and what we hope for it to look like
as far as you know, my career and my personal
life and the fear that surrounds it all. And you
know what I'm saying is, you know a lot of
people have, I guess, asked me if this is my
(05:03):
last season, and you know the answer to that question
is likely yes, this is my last season as a dancer.
That is. Of course, I would love to still be
a part of the family somehow, and I'm not sure
what that means to the people who make those decisions,
but you know, have to have been a part of
(05:23):
a show for twenty six seasons, you know, it is
hard for me. And this is why I've you know,
I've said in the past that I was going to stop,
and I always come back because I'd never I guess
it's really hard to say goodbye to UH show and
to a family that I've only known here in Los Angeles.
You know, I moved here when I was twenty one.
(05:44):
I'm thirty eight now, and you know, my body is
also telling me to stop, and it has been, and
it's not I know a lot of people are saying
it's because I want kids. Well, that is not the reason,
I think for me, or I know, the reason is
because I want to be okay with the uncertainty of
what life is about to throw at me. Until I
(06:07):
close a chapter, you know, how do I expect another
one to open? And I really hope that you know,
the higher ups um see that my my I guess
value when it comes to Dancing with the Stars, I
have a lot to offer, and you know, when it
comes to just being a professional dancer, and I don't
say just lightly this, it's a lot of work. And um,
(06:29):
I do believe though that I have proved myself enough
to where I could either I don't know, be a
correspondent or host or not saying I'm trying to take
anybody's job. You guys, please don't write about that. I'm
just saying. You can always add another host, you can
always add another judge. It's a two hour show in
the commercial breaks anyway, if that doesn't happen, though, I
(06:53):
am grateful regardless, and I love my family regardless. You know,
it is what it is, and life moves on. There's
life after Dancing with the Stars. I do know that.
And I also know though that I have to move
forward right one step in front of the other and
or one foot in front of the other, and one
(07:15):
step at a time. And this is my time, now,
my time, you know, my contract is up, and this
is a good time for me to just be like, Okay,
let's see what's next. And I and I have to surrender.
And from here on out, you know, I'm gonna continue
to manifest as much as possible, but you know, at
(07:35):
the end of the day, it's not my decision. And
either way though, I've had an amazing run, and it
is so sad, it's bitter sweet. But every single person
on that show, from behind the camera to on camera,
from people who were a part of the show who
are no longer a part of the show, will always
(07:55):
have a special place in my heart. And all of
you guys, the fans who have followed me on the
journey of UM this last what how twenty six seasons,
so that is started when I was twenty one. I'm
thirty eight. That's seventeen years. You know, thank you, Thank
you for all of your beautiful messages and emails and
(08:17):
comments and for supporting me through all the ups and downs.
And like I've said before, you know, this show has
been a big part of the reason why I'm just
sitting here today doing this podcast. For example. You know,
I'm hoping to continue working the game for as long
as I heart will have me UM, and you know,
I hope to be able to focus on other parts
(08:39):
of my life, and I know that I can contribute
UM towards being a service of just There's so many
things like you know, my dance program, body language when
it comes to possibly, you know, helping other people by
telling my story, whether that be a talk show, whether
that be you know, co hosting something. Who knows, you know.
(09:04):
At the end of the day, though, I truly believe,
until I'm okay with living in this uncertainty, how do
I expect to uh move on and and be able
to just contribute and give back to you know, you,
all of you guys, like there is a time and
a place for a dancer, and as a woman especially,
(09:26):
I'm thirty eight, and you know, I know there's a
lot of dancers out there that want my job, and
I think it would be very unfair for me to
stay um knowing that Okay, maybe not this season, oh
next season. It's like I'm at the end of the day,
the fact that I'm already or have been thinking about
hanging up the dance shoes. I think it's now time. However,
(09:47):
I did say likely. I didn't say that this is
a for sure decision. And yes, you know, take what
I say lightly, But I have never felt so much
peace in my heart with this decision than I do now.
This decision is not made from fear or from uh
anger or disappointment from how the season turned out. This
(10:08):
has truly been a long time coming for me, and
for the first time, with peace and love and gratitude,
I can say that my time has been awesome. However,
it's time for me to uh close this chapter and
hopefully continue on with the brand and with Dancing with
Stars in another way or not. Um. There are other
(10:32):
options I have and we are currently in the middle
of discussing all of this at the moment, so I
will definitely keep you guys posted on what that means.
But I just wanted to update you guys on all
of this because I know that in the press there's
stuff that comes out UM, and I just feel like
it's my duty and it's something that I have promised
(10:54):
you guys to be completely transparent with. Is my life right,
and you guys are also going to come along this
journey with me of this transition that I'm going to
be going through, which is scary as hell. However, I
know that I've got you guys here, right. I know
that every week you'll hear from me and you're gonna
(11:15):
be going through it all the ups and downs. I mean,
I on paper really you would probably think, Cheryl, maybe
maybe you shouldn't do that. You went through a divorce recently.
You know you're going through that transition from being married
to not. Why would you do this to yourself with
your career, Well, you know, there is no success I
(11:38):
guess without stepping out of your comfort zone. You know,
for me, I do know that there's a lot more
things I want to do in this life, and who knows.
I can't predict the future. Maybe I come back one day,
but as of today and as of a long time
coming really for many months and even years, you know,
I do. I do believe that this is the right decision.
(12:02):
But that doesn't mean you're going to stop seeing me
on television, and that doesn't mean that I'm going to
stop dancing. However, you know, I have other things that
I need to focus on at the moment in order
to be able to share with you guys, other projects
in the works. So with all of this being said,
(12:23):
this is not the final Okay, I am retiring, This
is it. I just wanted to update you guys on
how I'm doing. And you know, this is why for me,
I think I was holding on so tight to this
season because I knew all along in my heart that
this was going to um most likely be my last,
but how amazing for me was it to end it
(12:45):
with somebody who I truly love, like Sam Champions. So
thank you to Sam and thank you to his beautiful
husband Rememed for making maybe most likely my last season
UM one to remember, though very short, it was so
sweet and um, yeah, you know there is I keep preaching,
(13:07):
you know, there is no there is no life without
the ups and downs, and there is no I guess success,
and there is no growing without the fear or without
feeling the fear and feeling the discomfort and really being
(13:28):
okay with the uncertainty in my heart. I know this
is the right decision. Am I scared? Yes, for sure,
I am am. I gonna be okay, absolutely regardless. I
will be okay no matter what happens. Anyway, I'm gonna
get all emotional, but I just wanted to update you
(13:52):
guys on everything, right, Like, it's only been a week,
but jeez, Louise, a lot of a lot of things
happened in my life in just a week, I've realized.
So um, thank you all again for all of your
love and support and your encouraging words and I will
be back though on Dancing with the Stars. Every week
you'll see me and all these amazing pro numbers. We've
(14:12):
got one with Derek Kuff coming up soon, Michael Boublay
week is coming up after this double show week, and
um yeah, I hope to also do my final pro dance,
hopefully with Louis van Amstell, who will actually be gracing
us with his presence on Burke in the Game, So
make sure you tune in for that and uh sending
(14:33):
you guys so much love and I'll see you on
the dance floor. Bye. Thanks for listening and coming along
this journey with me. If you like what you hear,
then feel free to give this podcast five stars. You
can also follow along with my journey on Instagram at
Burke in the Game and if you have any advice
or want to write in, then email me at Burke
in the Game at I Heart radio dot com.
This is Burke in the Game and I heard radio podcast.
All right, Hello, welcome to Burke in the Game. This
is your host, Cheryl Burke, who has now been eliminated,
unfortunately from her twenty six season on Dancing with the Stars.
Oh well, you know, we tried, and I have to
(00:26):
say we ended with a bang literally um, because you know,
I think deep down Sam probably couldn't have been happier
physically yet sad emotionally. I know for a fact that
Sam wish he would have actually performed better on Monday,
(00:48):
that is last Monday, Um, that was our last show day,
UM for Disney plus night. You know, he has done
it the routine that is a lot better than what
he you know, showed you guys during the live show.
But honestly, you know, this is a game of who
is the mentally fittest, really before dance, before being physically fit,
(01:14):
this show is a roller coaster of emotions, and if
your emotions and if your mental state isn't intact, this
show will literally wrap you around its finger and spit
you out. I'm not saying that's what happened to Sam
and I. However, because Sam was really injured. He woke
up a little late Monday morning, you know, which is
(01:36):
not like Sam at all, and he just didn't feel himself.
He was saying that to me from Monday morning, from
when we do our band rehearsal as soon as we
get to the studio, and so from then on it
was kind of a hit and miss. I guess you
could say, you know, we worked really hard on Sunday.
We had a rehearsal Sunday and he nailed it. But honestly,
(02:01):
the positive it was physically really challenging, you know, not
just for Sam, but for anybody who would have danced
that routine. And I have to say, I think subconsciously,
you know, Sam was basically done because it was just
so hard. Every morning it was just you know, really
hard for him to get out of bed. And you know,
(02:23):
to be honest, this is probably what was meant to
be because we would have had to prep for four dances. Yep,
you heard me write four dances. Because even if we
wanted to just do that one more dance that I
was talking about that I really wanted to do Boogie Wonderland.
That was going to happen Monday night. But we don't
(02:45):
know because there's gonna be two eliminations this week. There'll
be an elimination on Monday and elimination on Tuesday, so
we actually would have had to prep for four dances.
And the reason why I say four is because Monday
night there's two live shows this coming week. Monday is
um Night I think, or Monday Night's Most Memorable, Tuesday's
Prom Night or something like that. I don't know. And
then they have a full on dance relay where all
(03:09):
the couples are on the competition floor together in the ballroom,
dancing to dances that they've never done, which is the
Hustle and Lindy Hop. Everyone's dying. I'm on all these
group text messages and it is not fun right now.
I always say, you know, there comes a time in
the competition where you hit the mid season blues, and
(03:33):
we're at that point, I think, the last couple of weeks.
So I just want to say, you know, thank you
so much, Sam for this amazing journey. It really, uh
was so much fun and so great to reunite not
just our friendship, but also just to learn about each
other even more than we already knew right about each other.
(03:56):
So it was so awesome to be able to, you know,
really have these intimate conversations just about life. And you know,
Sam really helped me so much when when it comes
to just like learning how to appreciate life to really
you know, continue just learning in general. I think that
(04:19):
Sam even said, you know, we went to dinner the
other night with um. You know, I went with Sam
and his beautiful husband, Rebem, and we had some really
amazing conversations. And you know, because of the show and
the intense schedule, you don't really get a chance to
go out as much because you've already seen like what
twelve hours of each other a day. So we went
out last night. I went to their hotel in Beverly Hills.
(04:42):
We had a nice long dinner and we just talked
about life in the future and what what that looks
like and what we hope for it to look like
as far as you know, my career and my personal
life and the fear that surrounds it all. And you
know what I'm saying is, you know a lot of
people have, I guess, asked me if this is my
(05:03):
last season, and you know the answer to that question
is likely yes, this is my last season as a dancer.
That is. Of course, I would love to still be
a part of the family somehow, and I'm not sure
what that means to the people who make those decisions,
but you know, have to have been a part of
(05:23):
a show for twenty six seasons, you know, it is
hard for me. And this is why I've you know,
I've said in the past that I was going to stop,
and I always come back because I'd never I guess
it's really hard to say goodbye to UH show and
to a family that I've only known here in Los Angeles.
You know, I moved here when I was twenty one.
(05:44):
I'm thirty eight now, and you know, my body is
also telling me to stop, and it has been, and
it's not I know a lot of people are saying
it's because I want kids. Well, that is not the reason,
I think for me, or I know, the reason is
because I want to be okay with the uncertainty of
what life is about to throw at me. Until I
(06:07):
close a chapter, you know, how do I expect another
one to open? And I really hope that you know,
the higher ups um see that my my I guess
value when it comes to Dancing with the Stars, I
have a lot to offer, and you know, when it
comes to just being a professional dancer, and I don't
say just lightly this, it's a lot of work. And um,
(06:29):
I do believe though that I have proved myself enough
to where I could either I don't know, be a
correspondent or host or not saying I'm trying to take
anybody's job. You guys, please don't write about that. I'm
just saying. You can always add another host, you can
always add another judge. It's a two hour show in
the commercial breaks anyway, if that doesn't happen, though, I
(06:53):
am grateful regardless, and I love my family regardless. You know,
it is what it is, and life moves on. There's
life after Dancing with the Stars. I do know that.
And I also know though that I have to move
forward right one step in front of the other and
or one foot in front of the other, and one
(07:15):
step at a time. And this is my time, now,
my time, you know, my contract is up, and this
is a good time for me to just be like, Okay,
let's see what's next. And I and I have to surrender.
And from here on out, you know, I'm gonna continue
to manifest as much as possible, but you know, at
(07:35):
the end of the day, it's not my decision. And
either way though, I've had an amazing run, and it
is so sad, it's bitter sweet. But every single person
on that show, from behind the camera to on camera,
from people who were a part of the show who
are no longer a part of the show, will always
(07:55):
have a special place in my heart. And all of
you guys, the fans who have followed me on the
journey of UM this last what how twenty six seasons,
so that is started when I was twenty one. I'm
thirty eight. That's seventeen years. You know, thank you, Thank
you for all of your beautiful messages and emails and
(08:17):
comments and for supporting me through all the ups and downs.
And like I've said before, you know, this show has
been a big part of the reason why I'm just
sitting here today doing this podcast. For example. You know,
I'm hoping to continue working the game for as long
as I heart will have me UM, and you know,
I hope to be able to focus on other parts
(08:39):
of my life, and I know that I can contribute
UM towards being a service of just There's so many
things like you know, my dance program, body language when
it comes to possibly, you know, helping other people by
telling my story, whether that be a talk show, whether
that be you know, co hosting something. Who knows, you know.
(09:04):
At the end of the day, though, I truly believe,
until I'm okay with living in this uncertainty, how do
I expect to uh move on and and be able
to just contribute and give back to you know, you,
all of you guys, like there is a time and
a place for a dancer, and as a woman especially,
(09:26):
I'm thirty eight, and you know, I know there's a
lot of dancers out there that want my job, and
I think it would be very unfair for me to
stay um knowing that Okay, maybe not this season, oh
next season. It's like I'm at the end of the day,
the fact that I'm already or have been thinking about
hanging up the dance shoes. I think it's now time. However,
(09:47):
I did say likely. I didn't say that this is
a for sure decision. And yes, you know, take what
I say lightly, But I have never felt so much
peace in my heart with this decision than I do now.
This decision is not made from fear or from uh
anger or disappointment from how the season turned out. This
(10:08):
has truly been a long time coming for me, and
for the first time, with peace and love and gratitude,
I can say that my time has been awesome. However,
it's time for me to uh close this chapter and
hopefully continue on with the brand and with Dancing with
Stars in another way or not. Um. There are other
(10:32):
options I have and we are currently in the middle
of discussing all of this at the moment, so I
will definitely keep you guys posted on what that means.
But I just wanted to update you guys on all
of this because I know that in the press there's
stuff that comes out UM, and I just feel like
it's my duty and it's something that I have promised
(10:54):
you guys to be completely transparent with. Is my life right,
and you guys are also going to come along this
journey with me of this transition that I'm going to
be going through, which is scary as hell. However, I
know that I've got you guys here, right. I know
that every week you'll hear from me and you're gonna
(11:15):
be going through it all the ups and downs. I mean,
I on paper really you would probably think, Cheryl, maybe
maybe you shouldn't do that. You went through a divorce recently.
You know you're going through that transition from being married
to not. Why would you do this to yourself with
your career, Well, you know, there is no success I
(11:38):
guess without stepping out of your comfort zone. You know,
for me, I do know that there's a lot more
things I want to do in this life, and who knows.
I can't predict the future. Maybe I come back one day,
but as of today and as of a long time
coming really for many months and even years, you know,
I do. I do believe that this is the right decision.
(12:02):
But that doesn't mean you're going to stop seeing me
on television, and that doesn't mean that I'm going to
stop dancing. However, you know, I have other things that
I need to focus on at the moment in order
to be able to share with you guys, other projects
in the works. So with all of this being said,
(12:23):
this is not the final Okay, I am retiring, This
is it. I just wanted to update you guys on
how I'm doing. And you know, this is why for me,
I think I was holding on so tight to this
season because I knew all along in my heart that
this was going to um most likely be my last,
but how amazing for me was it to end it
(12:45):
with somebody who I truly love, like Sam Champions. So
thank you to Sam and thank you to his beautiful
husband Rememed for making maybe most likely my last season
UM one to remember, though very short, it was so
sweet and um, yeah, you know there is I keep preaching,
(13:07):
you know, there is no there is no life without
the ups and downs, and there is no I guess success,
and there is no growing without the fear or without
feeling the fear and feeling the discomfort and really being
(13:28):
okay with the uncertainty in my heart. I know this
is the right decision. Am I scared? Yes, for sure,
I am am. I gonna be okay, absolutely regardless. I
will be okay no matter what happens. Anyway, I'm gonna
get all emotional, but I just wanted to update you
(13:52):
guys on everything, right, Like, it's only been a week,
but jeez, Louise, a lot of a lot of things
happened in my life in just a week, I've realized.
So um, thank you all again for all of your
love and support and your encouraging words and I will
be back though on Dancing with the Stars. Every week
you'll see me and all these amazing pro numbers. We've
(14:12):
got one with Derek Kuff coming up soon, Michael Boublay
week is coming up after this double show week, and
um yeah, I hope to also do my final pro dance,
hopefully with Louis van Amstell, who will actually be gracing
us with his presence on Burke in the Game, So
make sure you tune in for that and uh sending
(14:33):
you guys so much love and I'll see you on
the dance floor. Bye. Thanks for listening and coming along
this journey with me. If you like what you hear,
then feel free to give this podcast five stars. You
can also follow along with my journey on Instagram at
Burke in the Game and if you have any advice
or want to write in, then email me at Burke
in the Game at I Heart radio dot com.
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