5 Shocking Reasons Why Cheryl Burke Suddenly Halted Her Explosive 'Sex, Lies, And Spray Tans' Podcast
Former Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) pro Cheryl Burke has made a "bittersweet decision" that sent ripples through the podcast and reality TV world: a temporary halt to her highly popular and candid show, Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans. This news, confirmed in late 2025, marks a significant change for the dancer who has spent the last few years building a loyal following by spilling the tea on her 26 seasons on the dance competition and navigating her personal life, including her sobriety journey and high-profile divorce. The abrupt pause, just shy of its 200th episode milestone, has ignited intense speculation among fans about the true motivations behind the hiatus, especially given the show's recent run of controversial and headline-making episodes.
The announcement, which Burke shared with her loyal listeners, emphasized that the decision was driven by a need to prioritize "new projects" and a demanding professional schedule. While she reassured fans that the hiatus is not permanent, the timing aligns perfectly with a major career shift that promises to redefine her role in the entertainment industry in 2025 and beyond. This article dives deep into the official reasons, the underlying controversies, and the massive new deal that is truly pulling her away from the microphone.
Cheryl Burke: A Dance Champion's Biography and Career Milestones
Cheryl Stephanie Burke is a celebrated American professional dancer, choreographer, and television host, best known for her record-breaking tenure on ABC's Dancing with the Stars.
- Full Name: Cheryl Stephanie Burke
- Date of Birth: May 3, 1984
- Age (as of 2025): 41
- Birthplace: San Francisco, California (grew up in San Mateo County/Redwood City)
- DWTS Debut: Season 2 (2006)
- DWTS Wins: Two-time champion.
- Season 2: Partnered with 98 Degrees singer Drew Lachey.
- Season 3: Partnered with NFL running back Emmitt Smith.
- Notable Partners: Drew Lachey, Emmitt Smith, Ryan Lochte, Terrell Owens, and Juan Pablo Di Pace.
- Career Retirement: Announced her retirement from DWTS in 2022 after 26 seasons.
- Podcast Debut: Launched Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans in 2023.
The Primary Reason: A Major ABC First-Look Deal and New Projects
The most compelling and official reason for the sudden halt of Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans is Cheryl Burke’s significant new partnership with the network that made her a household name: ABC. This is a clear pivot from her role as a dancer and podcaster to a developer and producer of entertainment programming.
The Strategic Career Pivot to Development
Burke signed a multi-year, first-look deal with ABC in early 2025, nearly three years after her official retirement from the DWTS ballroom. A first-look deal is a highly coveted agreement in Hollywood, giving the network the first opportunity to review and potentially finance any new project she develops.
- Deal Focus: The partnership is specifically for Burke to develop and produce new entertainment programming across various platforms.
- The Timing: The timing of the deal directly coincides with her decision to step away from the weekly demands of her podcast. This suggests her new role requires her full, undivided attention for development meetings, pitches, and production work, which is a major time commitment.
- The Future: This move positions Burke as a creative executive and host, rather than solely a reality TV personality. It’s a strategic step to build a legacy beyond the competitive dance floor.
Burke herself confirmed that the hiatus is necessary to fully immerse herself in these new, exciting professional endeavors. The podcast, which required weekly recording, editing, and promotion, was simply unsustainable alongside a demanding development slate. This new chapter in 2025 is about building something entirely new and permanent.
The Unspoken Context: Backlash and Controversy Over DWTS Remarks
While the ABC deal is the official impetus, many fans and media outlets speculate that the intense "backlash" Burke faced over her candid commentary on Dancing with the Stars may have contributed to the "bittersweet" nature of the decision. The podcast was a platform for unfiltered DWTS recaps and behind-the-scenes stories, which often stirred up controversy.
The 'Abandoned' Feeling and Co-Star Drama
The core of the controversy centered on Burke’s raw honesty about her experience leaving DWTS. She had publicly discussed feeling "abandoned" by her former co-stars and the show’s production after her retirement, a sentiment that did not sit well with some fans and members of the DWTS family.
- The Apology: The pressure became so significant that Burke eventually issued a public apology to clarify her comments, stating that she was speaking from a place of personal pain and not trying to attack the show or its cast.
- Listener Support: Despite the criticism, Burke acknowledged her podcast listeners were her "rock and backbone" during moments of controversy, suggesting the show was both a source of support and a magnet for drama.
- The Sensitive Subject: The podcast, by its nature, focused heavily on the private dynamics of the DWTS machine, a topic that became increasingly sensitive and potentially complicated her relationship with ABC, the network now backing her new first-look deal.
The temporary halt provides a necessary cooling-off period, allowing Burke to transition smoothly into her new, more corporate role at ABC without the baggage of ongoing reality TV commentary and associated drama. It’s a strategic move to clean the slate and focus on developing new content.
What’s Next for Cheryl Burke and the Podcast’s Future
The temporary nature of the hiatus is key. Burke has assured fans that Sex, Lies, and Spray Tans is not permanently canceled. The possibility of its return depends heavily on the success and scheduling demands of her new ABC projects, but the door has been left open for a future return.
- Focus on Sobriety and Wellness: Beyond the professional sphere, Burke has been incredibly open about her sobriety journey and mental health. Stepping away from the weekly grind of a podcast allows her more time to focus on her personal wellness and her work as an advocate for mental health and addiction recovery.
- New Programming Development: The immediate future involves her new role as an entertainment developer. Fans should anticipate announcements regarding new shows or series created and possibly hosted by Burke under the ABC banner in late 2025 or early 2026. This new content will likely capitalize on her expertise in competition, dance, and human interest stories.
- The Legacy of the Podcast: The podcast leaves behind a legacy of nearly 200 episodes that provided an unprecedented, raw look into the world of professional ballroom dancing and reality television—a trove of content that will continue to be a resource for DWTS enthusiasts during her hiatus.
Ultimately, Cheryl Burke's decision to pause her podcast is less about ending a project and more about launching a new, higher-stakes chapter in her career. It is a calculated, strategic move to trade the microphone for a producer’s chair, solidifying her status as a major entertainment entity in 2025.
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