Cheryl Burke Announces 'Bittersweet Decision' to Pause Her Podcast: 'My Journey Is Just Beginning'

• Cheryl Burke announced on Dec. 30 that she is pausing her podcast, Sex, Lies and Spray Tans, after nearly 200 episodes.

• The former Dancing with the Stars pro called the decision “bittersweet” as she thanked her fans for their support and revealed she would be focusing on new projects in 2025.

• Burke noted her headline-making podcast was “always about truth, connection, and storytelling — not taking anything down."

Cheryl Burke is saying goodbye to her podcast — at least, for now!

The former Dancing with the Stars pro, 40, announced on Instagram Dec. 30 that she is pausing her podcast, Sex, Lies and Spray Tans, after nearly 200 episodes.

“After an incredible journey, I’ve made the bittersweet decision to say farewell — for now — to this podcast,” she shared alongside a clip from the show. “This chapter has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, filled with growth, meaningful conversations, and powerful connections.”

The professional dancer went on to thank her fans for their support of the headline-making podcast — where she dished behind-the-scenes stories from Dancing with the Stars and interviewed former contestants and pros — over the last year.

Related: Cheryl Burke Reveals Her Favorite Partners from Dancing with the Stars — and Her Answers Might Surprise You!

“You, my loyal listeners, have been my rock and my backbone, especially during moments of controversy,” she shared. “The only reason I kept going with my head held high was because of your unwavering support and belief in me. I cannot thank you enough for being a part of this journey and for truly understanding my intentions.”

“To anyone who may have misinterpreted this podcast or questioned my love for the show that shaped me, I encourage you to listen to the episodes,” she added. “My heart has always been in the right place, and I’ve seen so many of your comments affirming that. I will never forget where I came from, and my love for that chapter of my life will never waver. Any negative perceptions about me in the headlines could not be further from the truth. This podcast was always about truth, connection, and storytelling — not taking anything down.”

After expressing her “deepest gratitude” to iHeartRadio, she also thanked her guests for “trusting me with your stories and making this podcast a space for vulnerability and authenticity. And to my listeners, thank you for embracing this journey with open hearts and open minds. Because of you, this chapter has been unforgettable.”

She concluded her message by sharing that this “isn’t goodbye, it is a ‘see you later.’”

Related: Danica McKellar Calls Dancing with the Stars a 'Reality Show' When Cheryl Burke Asks If She Believes It's 'Rigged'

“My journey is just beginning, and 2025 has already been filled with new opportunities and exciting adventures which I promise to tell you about soon,” she wrote. “I hope you’ll continue to follow me, support me, and join me as I embrace what’s next. Wherever this next chapter takes me, I promise to bring the same authenticity, energy, and love to it. Thank you for being part of this journey with me—I will cherish it forever. Until next time, sending you all my love and gratitude. 🙏🏼”

On the Dec. 30 episode of the podcast titled, “Goodbye for Now”, Burke further addressed her decision to take a break from the podcast.

“I have a bittersweet, I guess, announcement,” she shared. “I just want to say to you guys that, as I sit down to share this message, my heart is honestly just filled with so much gratitude and it’s been such an emotional, I guess, few weeks or a few days since making the decision to pause this podcast. This has been an incredible journey.”

Burke — who will continue to serve as a mentor on the I Do, Part 2 podcast — also noted that there is “a slight chance” the podcast could return when Dancing with the Stars returns for season 35.

Related: Why Former Dancing with the Stars Contestant Antonio Sabáto Jr. Thinks the Show Is 'Rigged'

“But there's also a slight chance that that won't happen,” she said. “There's so many opportunities and, new, I guess, doors opening and it's really exciting.”

“With all the hard work that I've put into this podcast, I couldn't do it any other way,” she added. “So with this new year approaching, I kinda just had to choose which path I wanted to go down this time around and I have to see what else is out there.”

“I have learned so much on this podcast. It has definitely been such an incredible journey to be able to get to know the people I was lucky enough to interview through the past year.”

She added of her decision: “I just really reevaluated my life and decided to just say farewell, I guess, for now to this podcast and to close this beautiful chapter."

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On the Dec. 4 episode of her podcast, Burke hinted that she was considering halting the podcast.

“We will reevaluate everything come January,” she said while answering a fan’s question about what’s next for the podcast. “So I’m going to save that question and really answer that more towards the end of December or mid-December. Once I know, you’ll know. How about that? There is a chance, like I’ve said earlier, I’m not going to do this forever. And I have a lot of different opportunities coming my way.”

“If I can’t really commit to this podcast due to other opportunities that are coming my way, then I will have to pause it for now,” she added at the time. “It’s nothing’s forever. So keep you posted on that.”

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