Former ‘Dancing With the Stars’ professional Cheryl Burke has publicly addressed body-shaming comments after Alix Earle’s stepmother criticized her appearance and judging on the show, emphasizing the harmful effects of such remarks on social media and younger audiences.
On Tuesday’s ‘Halloween Night’ episode of ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Burke served as a guest judge after a three-year absence and scored TikTok influencer Alix Earle and her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy a nine for their tango to Billie Eilish’s ‘Bury a Friend,’ while fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough awarded perfect tens. Burke’s critique, based on her 26 seasons of experience and years of training, focused on technical aspects she observed in real-time, sparking mixed reactions from viewers who either supported her honesty or questioned the scoring.
In response, Earle’s stepmother, Ashley Dupré, expressed anger in a TikTok video, telling Burke to ‘go take more Ozempic’—a reference to the weight-loss drug—and doubled down when her young children questioned the remark, stating that Burke ‘looks weird’ and ‘doesn’t even look like that.’ The video quickly went viral, drawing widespread attention to the incident and highlighting how personal criticisms can escalate on social media platforms. Dupré, married to Earle’s father Thomas ‘TJ’ Earle, made the comments while watching the episode live, underscoring the emotional intensity surrounding reality TV judging.
Burke clapped back in an Instagram video on Thursday, explaining that her critiques stem from personal experience and professional background, not malice. She acknowledged receiving both supportive and constructive feedback but condemned the ‘aggressive ones and a lot of body-shaming ones,’ urging followers to consider the influence of their words on the next generation. Burke emphasized that body-shaming, especially in front of children, ‘sends a powerful message about what you value and, clearly, it’s not kindness,’ and asked critics to leave her name out of such behavior.
This is not the first time Burke has faced comments about her physical appearance; in March, she denied using Ozempic or undergoing surgery, attributing her weight loss to personal changes including trauma from her divorce, sobriety, and lifestyle adjustments. In August, she revealed losing 41 pounds through a portion-control food delivery service, stressing that her transformation was about health and well-being rather than aesthetics, and that assumptions about her looks are ‘exhausting.’ Burke has consistently shared her journey to promote body positivity and self-acceptance.
The backlash against Burke’s judging ties into broader trends on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ where judges like Carrie Ann Inaba have faced similar criticism for their scoring decisions. Burke expressed empathy for Inaba, noting that all judges encounter polarized reactions from audiences, but body-shaming represents a distinct and harmful escalation that detracts from professional critique. This context illustrates the challenges of reality TV judging in the social media era, where instant feedback can blur lines between evaluation and personal attack.
Moving forward, the incident may prompt reflections on responsible social media use and the importance of modeling positive behavior for audiences, particularly children. Burke’s stance could inspire other public figures to speak out against body-shaming, fostering a more supportive online environment. As the story develops, it underscores the ongoing need for conversations about kindness, respect, and the impact of digital discourse in entertainment and beyond.