Former Dancing With the Stars pro Cheryl Burke is weighing in on who she believes the show should — and shouldn’t — cast in future seasons.
“I would love to see more creators join the show,” Burke, 42, exclusively told Us Weekly on Friday, May 1, while attending Calamigos Ranch Resort & Spa’s Leading Hotels of the World accreditation celebration. “I think that there’s a new definition when it comes to celebrity. I think having people like mental health gurus come on. I would love to see Jay Shetty get jiggy with it.”
She added, “I think it’s important to mix it up. But they’re doing great. Whatever they’re doing, obviously it’s working.”
While Burke, who left Dancing With the Stars in November 2022 after 26 seasons, wants to see the show expand the breadth of its celebrity competitors, there is one group of people she hopes the hit reality series avoids casting — politicians.
“I think maybe it’s probably best not to involve politics,” she explained to Us. “This is a show that’s a feel good show, and right now I think it’s just very touchy, right? That’s all I want to say about it.”
During her tenure on the show, Burke was paired with Tom DeLay, a former congressman who represented Texas’ 22nd congressional district from 1985 to 2006. He also served as the House majority leader from 2003 to 2005.
In fact, plenty of other former politicians have appeared on the program, including controversial former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who served during President Donald Trump’s first term, former Texas Governor Rick Perry and former Fox News host-turned-podcaster Tucker Carlson.
Fellow Dancing With the Stars pro Val Chmerkovskiy shared a similar sentiment with Us, explaining that he hopes “less politicians” will be cast in the future.
“One of the things I admire about our show, I love being a part of the fact that in a world quite literally designed to split us all apart and create agony amongst people, we’re a show that creates union and brings people together,” Chmerkovskiy exclusively explained to Us on April 25 while attending Jennie Garth and iHeartPodcast’s “I Choose Me” live summit at the iHeartRadio Theatre in Burbank, California.
“Yes, it’s just a dance show, but it’s way more than just a dance show,” he added. “Dance is just a vehicle to bring people together — of all ages, all political sides. No one knows who’s voting for who, and we’re all just enjoying ourselves and enjoying two hours a week of just good family fun.”
While Burke has been dedicated to focusing on herself after leaving Dancing With the Stars, those of Us who loved watching her on the show were hoping to see her at DWTS Con 2026, the ultimate fan convention and live show running from July 31 to August 2.
Unfortunately, she told Us, the stars — pun intended — didn’t align.
“Not this year,” Burke explained on Friday. “We just couldn’t work it out this time around. But I’m sure they’ll do it every year. I know that there are so many fans so excited about it.”
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