Cheryl Burke is ready for her last dance.
On Sunday, the professional dancer announced she is leaving Dancing With the Stars after 26 seasons, and Monday night’s season finale will feature her “farewell dance.”
In a heartfelt Instagram post, 38-year-old Burke said she was full of “conflicting emotions,” but felt she had made the right decision.
“This show has been my second family since I was 21 years old. The cast, crew & fans have seen me through my highest highs & some of my lowest lows, & I honestly don’t know who I would be today without them,” she wrote.
Related Story: Cheryl Burke ‘Choosing Not to Date’ After Recent Divorce
While Burke is retiring from DWTS, she noted that she is ready to begin the next phase of her career.
“I am excited about the idea of evolving, about being challenged in new ways, having the ability to expand my commitment to mental health advocacy, focusing on my new found love for podcasting, & I’m ready to face the uncertainty (though it’s scary as sh**) of what the future holds — I do have a few things up my sleeves though, so don’t worry,” she continued.
Burke was the first female professional dancer to win the Mirrorball Trophy on DWTS.
In season 2, she took the title with former 98 Degrees singer Drew Lachey. Burke won the top prize again the following year with NFL star Emmitt Smith.
For the current season 31, she was paired with TV weatherman Sam Champion and finished in 13th place. Some of her other partners have included actor Ian Ziering, NFL star Chad Ochocinco, actor and NBA star Rick Fox, reality star Rob Kardashian, and comedian D.L. Hughley.
Burke’s announcement that she is exiting DWTS came a week after judge Len Goodman announced he will be retiring from the show.
Just before kicking off its current season, the competition series was moved off ABC and onto the Disney+ streaming platform.
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