Cheryl Burke is a well-known professional dancer, most recognized for her appearances on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. To understand the significance of her 2011 autobiography, Dancing Lessons: How I Found Passion and Potential on the Dance Floor and in Life, to her career, we'll explore various aspects of her journey, drawing from sources like Wikipedia, Goodreads, Amazon book reviews, and interviews.
Cheryl
Burke's Dancing with the Stars Journey
Cheryl Burke first appeared on Dancing with
the Stars in 2006 during season 2, where she was partnered with 98 Degrees
singer, Drew Lachey . She won the season, becoming the first female
professional to win the show . Burke then went on to win season 3 with NFL
running back Emmitt Smith, making her the first professional to win twice
consecutively .
Burke has captivated audiences with her
incredible dance performances, Emmy-nominated choreography, high energy, and
bright smile over her years on the show . She participated in 26 seasons of Dancing
with the Stars, partnering with a diverse range of celebrities. Some of her
most notable partnerships include:
- Season 4: Ian Ziering
- Season 5: Wayne Newton
- Season 6: Cristián de la Fuente
- Season 8: Gilles Marini
- Season 10: Chad
Ochocinco
- Season 13: Rob
Kardashian
- Season 14:
William Levy
- Season 17: Jack
Osbourne
- Season 29: AJ
McLean
- Season 30: Cody
Rigsby
- Season 31: Sam
Champion
Beyond her time on the show, Burke also
participated in several Dancing with the Stars tours. From December 2006
to February 2007, she toured 38 cities with her season 2 partner, Drew Lachey .
She also joined the second summer tour with Lachey, visiting 24 cities between
June and July 2007 . In the fall of 2007, Burke competed on season 5 with Las
Vegas entertainer Wayne Newton. They were eliminated early in the competition,
but Burke joined both Lachey and Newton on the Dancing with the Stars
winter tour that kicked off in December 2007 .
Burke officially retired from the show as a
pro dancer after the season 31 finale in 2022 , but she has expressed interest
in returning to the show as a judge .
Cheryl
Burke's Autobiography: Dancing Lessons
Dancing Lessons was released in early 2011 . In the book, Burke chronicles her life,
starting with her childhood and moving into the world of competitive ballroom
dancing and eventually to Dancing with the Stars . She shares personal
stories and experiences that shaped her, including childhood abuse and body
image issues . Burke also discusses the lessons she learned from her celebrity
partners on Dancing with the Stars .
Cheryl
Burke Discusses Dancing Lessons and Her Personal Struggles
Burke has discussed Dancing Lessons in
various interviews and podcasts. She has spoken about how dance helped her
overcome childhood trauma and navigate difficult relationships . In an
interview with Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Burke opened up about how childhood trauma
led to a series of unhealthy relationships and the ways she learned to navigate
narcissism in her own family . She also discussed these topics on Reality
Steve's podcast, where she delved into her troubled past and how she found
healing through dance . Burke has also shared how writing the book was a
therapeutic experience, allowing her to process her past and find healing .
Lessons
Learned from Dancing with the Stars Partners
In Dancing Lessons, Burke reflects on
the unique lessons she learned from each of her celebrity partners on Dancing
with the Stars. Some of these include:
- Drew Lachey:
"Be yourself in front of the cameras."
- Emmitt Smith:
"Respect is a two-way street. Earn it from others and demand it from
yourself."
- Ian Ziering:
"Think bigger ~ brand yourself ~ expand your horizons."
- Wayne Newton:
"Always take time for others. Be kind to all your colleagues,
and always leave the room with a smile on your face."
- Cristian de la Fuente:
"Loyalty"
- Maurice Green:
"Laughter is the best medicine in dealing with life’s
frustrations."
- Gilles Marini:
"Enjoy life to its fullest. Ask yourself: Am I doing this because I
love it or because it will please somebody else?"
- Tom DeLay:
"It’s okay to agree to disagree."
- Chad Ochocinco:
"What you see isn’t always what you get."
- Rick Fox: "Enjoy the journey."
These lessons highlight the personal growth
and self-discovery that Burke experienced throughout her time on Dancing
with the Stars.
Reviews and
Summaries of Dancing Lessons
Dancing Lessons received generally positive reviews. Many readers found Burke's story
inspiring, particularly her openness about overcoming personal challenges .
Some book reviews noted the book's disjointed structure, jumping between
different dance styles rather than following a chronological order . Others
felt the book was written too early in Burke's career and that a later
autobiography might offer more nuanced insights .
Significance
of Dancing Lessons to Burke's DWTS Career
While Dancing Lessons provides a deeper
understanding of Burke's personal life and the challenges she faced, it doesn't
appear to have directly impacted her career on Dancing with the Stars in
terms of wins or placements . However, the book does offer valuable insights
into Burke's approach to dance and her relationships with her celebrity
partners. By sharing her vulnerabilities and life lessons, Burke created a
stronger connection with her fans and showcased her growth as a person and a
dancer. This, in turn, may have contributed to her longevity and success on the
show.
Furthermore, Dancing Lessons highlights
the important connection between Burke's personal struggles and her passion for
dance. Dance served as an outlet and a form of therapy for her, allowing her to
express herself authentically and find healing . This connection likely
resonated with viewers, making her a relatable and inspiring figure on Dancing
with the Stars.
Cheryl Burke's autobiography, Dancing
Lessons, is a candid and personal account of her life and career. While it
may not have directly influenced her competitive success on Dancing with the
Stars, it provided a platform for Burke to connect with her audience on a
deeper level. By sharing her story of overcoming personal challenges and
finding strength through dance, Burke demonstrated resilience, vulnerability,
and a passion for dance that resonated with fans. This likely contributed to
her enduring popularity and established her as more than just a dancer, but
also an inspiration to many.
