Cheryl Burke Announces 'Bittersweet Decision' to Pause Her Podcast: 'My Journey Is Just Beginning'

• Cheryl Burke announced on December 30 that she is taking a break from her podcast, Sex, lies and spray tanningafter almost 200 episodes.
• Former Dancing with the stars the pro called the decision “bittersweet” as she thanked her fans for their support and revealed she will focus on new projects in 2025.
• Burke noted that her podcast, which made headlines, was “always about truth, connection and storytelling — without minimizing anything.”

Cheryl Burke is saying goodbye to her podcast – at least for now!

Former Dancing with the stars Pro, 40, announced on Instagram on Dec. 30 that she was taking a break from her podcast, Sex, lies and spray tanningafter almost 200 episodes.

“After an incredible journey, I’ve made the bittersweet decision to say goodbye – for now – to this podcast,” she shared alongside a clip from the show. “This chapter has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, filled with growth, meaningful conversations, and powerful connections.”

The professional dancer went on to thank her fans for supporting the headline-making podcast — in which she shared behind-the-scenes stories Dancing with the stars and interviewed former contestants and professionals — during the past year.

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“You, my loyal listeners, have been my rock and my backbone, especially in times of controversy,” she shared. “The only reason I kept my head held high was your unwavering support and faith in me. I can’t thank you enough for being a part of this journey and truly understanding my intentions.”

“For anyone who may have misinterpreted this podcast or questioned my love for the show that shaped me, I encourage them to listen to the episodes,” she added. “My heart has always been in the right place and I’ve seen so many of your comments that confirm that. I will never forget where I came from and my love for that chapter of my life will never waver. All the negative perceptions about me in the headlines couldn’t be further from the truth. This podcast has always been about truth, connection and storytelling – not disrupting anything.”

After expressing her “deepest gratitude” to iHeartRadio, she also thanked her guests for “trusting me with their stories and making this podcast a space for vulnerability and authenticity. And to my listeners, thank you for taking this journey with open hearts and open minds. You made this chapter unforgettable.”

She concluded her message by saying that this “isn’t goodbye, it’s ‘see you later’.”

Cheryl Burke attends the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Greg Doherty/Getty Images

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“My journey is just beginning, and 2025 is already filled with new opportunities and exciting adventures that I promise to tell you about soon,” she wrote. “I hope you will continue to follow me, support me and join me as I embrace what’s next. Wherever this next chapter takes me, I promise to bring the same authenticity, energy and love to it. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me—I will forever cherish it. Until next time, I send you all my love and gratitude. 🙏🏼”

On the Dec. 30 episode of the podcast titled “Goodbye For Now,” Burke further addressed her decision to take a hiatus from podcasting.

“I have a bittersweet, I guess, announcement,” she shared. “I just want to tell you that as I sit down to share this message, my heart is filled with so much gratitude and it’s been such an emotional, I guess, couple of weeks or days since making the decision to pause this podcast. This has been an amazing journey.”

Burke — who will continue to serve as a mentor at I, part 2 podcast — also noted that there’s a “small chance” the podcast could return when Dancing with the stars returns for season 35.

The Cheryl Burke Podcast.

iHeartPodcasts

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“But there’s also a small chance it won’t happen,” she said. “There are so many opportunities and new, I guess, doors that are opening and it’s really exciting.”

“With all the hard work I put into this podcast, I couldn’t help it,” she added. “So with this new year coming up, I just had to choose which way I wanted to go this time and I had to see what else was out there.”

“I learned so much from this podcast. It’s been such an amazing journey to meet the people I’ve been lucky enough to interview over the past year.”

She added of her decision: “I just really re-evaluated my life and decided to say goodbye, I guess, to this podcast for now and close this wonderful chapter.”

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On the December 4th episode of her podcast, Burke hinted that she was thinking about stopping the podcast.

“We’ll reevaluate everything in January,” she said while answering a fan question about what’s next for the podcast. “So I’ll leave that question and I’ll actually answer it at the end of December or mid-December. When I know, you will know. How about that? There’s a chance, as I said earlier, that I won’t be doing this forever. And there are many different opportunities ahead of me.”

“If I really can’t commit to this podcast because of other opportunities coming my way, I’ll have to put it on hiatus for now,” she added at the time. “Nothing is forever. So keep you informed about it.”

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Source: HIS Education