Fri May 30 23:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Cheryl Burke, former “Dancing with the Stars” professional, is urging the public to focus less on her physical appearance and more on her mental health journey. Burke, who has battled body dysmorphia since childhood, admits comments about her changing appearance, particularly online speculation about cosmetic procedures and weight loss drugs, affect her, despite knowing public scrutiny comes with fame. She emphasizes the extensive work she’s done on her mental well-being and wishes the conversation would shift to that aspect of her life, rather than superficial judgments.

**News Article:**

**Cheryl Burke Asks Public to Shift Focus From Appearance to Mental Health Journey**

LOS ANGELES, CA – Cheryl Burke, the former “Dancing with the Stars” pro, is speaking out against the constant commentary on her physical appearance, urging the public to recognize the significant work she’s put into her mental health. In a recent interview, Burke addressed the speculation surrounding her body and appearance, including rumors of cosmetic surgery and weight loss medications.

“Let’s talk about mental health,” Burke stated, emphasizing the personal growth she’s achieved in recent years. “I wish the conversation was more geared towards that rather than ‘She’s on Ozempic, she got a whole face lift…'”

Burke, who has openly discussed her lifelong struggle with body dysmorphia, explained that while she understands scrutiny comes with being a public figure, the focus on her physical appearance diminishes the value of her inner growth. She revealed that her body image issues were particularly acute during her time on “Dancing with the Stars,” due to the pressure of fittings and the constant self-comparison in mirrors.

“I do suffer from body dysmorphia,” Burke admitted. “The height of my insecurity and my body dysphoria was weekly fittings on the show… It would affect me to the point where I would travel with a scale.”

Burke hopes that by sharing her experience, she can encourage others to look beyond the surface and recognize the depth and complexity within each individual. She aims to inspire those in similar situations to prioritize self-care and mental well-being over external validation.

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