Cheryl Burke is "nervous" to compete sober for her 24th appearance on Dancing With the Stars. The 37-year-old dance pro has been a staple in the hit ABC competition since the beginning. Cheryl won her first Mirrorball Trophy with 98 Degrees band member Drew Lachey in the second season. The following year, Cheryl was partnered with retired football star Emmitt Smith, who was also crowned the winner. The professional dancer hasn't won since her initial two seasons.
Cheryl announced that she decided to become sober last September following the death of her father. Revealing that her father was an alcoholic, Cheryl realized she was picking up some of his tendencies and began to get hives whenever she drank. Her husband, Matthew Lawrence, supported her throughout her journey to sobriety, as did her former dance partner and member of the Backstreet Boys, AJ Mclean. AJ also became sober last year, giving the dancing duo another opportunity to bond throughout their season together.
Hours before Dancing With the Stars season 30 premieres on ABC, Cheryl shared a video with fans to update them on how she's feeling heading into her first sober season. "Just thought I would do a little confessional because if I said to you that I was just so excited and not nervous, that would be a lie," she said, adding that she's also feeling insecure due to the amount of pressure she puts on herself. Though Cheryl admits the pressure was there every season, it was often masked with alcohol.
Cheryl also took the moment to address the retirement rumors that have been circulating around the media. Admitting the answer to that question "isn't definitive," Cheryl plans to just listen to her body after this season is over. "Yes, my body hurts. Yes, my mental state at times may not be up to par sometimes to what this show expects, right? But at the end of the day, I have to remember and put everything into perspective that this is just a dance show." Cheryl added she has already proven herself within the dance community, and her efforts on the show aren't about her or her talents, but rather the growth her celebrity partner can make throughout the season.
Though Cheryl is nervous, she does admit she and her partner are so excited to show Dancing With The Stars viewers what they have in store for the premiere. The rumors circulating lately have been that Cheryl is partnered with beloved Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby. If the rumors ring true, Cheryl will have no problem staying in high spirits, as Cody consistently works hard to uplift and motivate cyclers around the world.
Dancing With The Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Source: Cheryl Burke/Instagram