Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · August 6, 2025 · Entertainment

Cheryl Burke Breaks Silence: Denying Ozempic Rumors and Embracing Self-Love

Cheryl Burke revealed she's been the target of online bullying following her dramatic 35lb weight loss ¿ and she¿s now setting the record straight about how she really slimmed down; (seen in May)

Cheryl Burke Speaks Out Against Online Bullies: "I'm Human, It Happens"

The sweet and sassy world of Dancing with the Stars has seen its fair share of drama, but none as juicy as Cheryl Burke's latest revelation. The 41-year-old reality TV alum is breaking her silence on the vicious online bullying she's endured since shedding a whopping 35 pounds earlier this year.

For years, Cheryl faced endless criticism about her looks while battling body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a condition that warps one's perception of themselves. "It's always been this never-ending quest for me to try and gain others' acceptance rather than find it within myself," she confesses in an explosive interview with UsWeekly.

During her 17 seasons on DWTS, which ended in 2022, Cheryl faced ongoing criticism about her looks while battling body dysmorphic disorder, a condition that distorts how she sees herself; (seen in 2022)

The verbal jabs didn't let up even after Cheryl's stunning transformation, which left many wondering if she'd resorted to extreme measures like weight-loss drugs or plastic surgery. But the DWTS alum is here to set the record straight: "I'm not a liar," she declares. "I've never gone under the knife for anything, no nips, tucks, Ozempic – nothing!"

When questioned about her alleged use of Ozempic, Cheryl doesn't hesitate: "No way, I faint at the sight of needles!" She also dispels rumors that she's been taking medication to suppress appetite or speed up weight loss. "I've heard of side effects, people not feeling well... and let's just say it's not for me."

So, what's behind Cheryl's remarkable transformation? The Dancing with the Stars alum reveals a simple yet profound secret: cutting off late-night eating. Yes, you read that right – she stopped munching past 7 p.m., and voilà! Her whole body changed.

Following her striking transformation earlier this year , Cheryl was slammed with wild accusations¿from weight-loss drugs to plastic surgery and skin lightening¿all of which she vehemently denies; (seen in May)

"It wasn't about hitting a number on the scale; it was about how I feel," Cheryl emphasizes. And, girl, does she ever feel alive! "I'm learning to be comfortable in my skin, my actual skin – not some fake version."

Cheryl's been open about her struggles with BDD for years, even sharing her journey on last year's Amy and T.J. Podcast. She confessed to having the condition and vowed to live with it forever.

But what sparked this latest bout of online bashing? Perhaps it was the "horrific" phase she went through early in her career, when she was constantly criticized for being "too fat for TV." Cheryl recalls joining DWTS at 21, still growing into her own skin and gaining weight as a result. "I was growing up, and that's what happened."

She went on to explain that her body changed thanks to one simple shift: cutting off late-night eating; (seen in May)

Fast-forward to this year, when Cheryl's stunning transformation sent the internet into a frenzy – and also sparked accusations of using weight-loss meds or undergoing plastic surgery. But she's not having it! In an April TikTok video, Cheryl blasted critics who'd called her "too thin" after previously slamming her for being "too heavy."

"People will watch a 30-second video and think they know everything about you," she said in the video. "I've seen comments like 'She looks too thin,' 'She wears too much makeup'... What happened to me? Nothing! I'm healing, not sick, and not broken. In fact, I've never felt more alive, more grounded in who I am."

So there you have it – Cheryl Burke's truth bomb: she's human, and online bullying hurts. But hey, at least we can all take a page from her book and focus on loving ourselves just the way we are.

¿I am not a liar. I¿ve never gone under the knife to get anything done. There¿s been no nips, tucks, Ozempic, nothing like that,' Cheryl said; (seen in 2023)

Sources: UsWeekly, TheScholarlyNote.com