Cheryl Burke Returns as Guest Judge for DWTS Halloween Episode After Three-Year Hiatus

Cheryl Burke is making a highly anticipated return to Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) as a guest judge for the Halloween episode on October 28, marking her first appearance on the show in three years after competing as a pro dancer in 26 seasons. She expressed excitement about returning "home" to the ballroom, emphasizing her focus on authenticity and proper ballroom technique during her judging, while acknowledging that imperfections add beauty to the performances. Despite her emotional connection to dancing, Burke plans to remain objective and not let passion overpower her evaluations. Her return was preceded by ongoing conversations with producers over the past year, and she looks forward to reuniting with judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli. Burke has also recently undergone a noticeable physical transformation due to a 41-pound weight loss through a clean-eating routine, which sparked mixed reactions from fans but she clarified it was achieved without medication. Fans anticipate her authoritative and technical critiques on the show, hopeful she will bring the expertise she was known for during her long tenure as a pro dancer.