Photo: Unique Nicole/WireImage
Cheryl Burkeis thanking her formerDancing with the Starspartners afterher final performance as a proon the ABC dance competition series.
The ballroom champ, 38, shared a photo slideshow set to theGoo Goo Dolls' “Iris” on Sunday ofherDWTSpartnersfrom the course of her 26 seasons on the competition series.
“To all of my dance partners who each has played a pivotal role in my life, THANK YOU,” she wrote. “Thank you for the life lessons, for trusting me with your vulnerability, and for ALWAYS giving each dance your all. Though there were times of blood, sweat, and tears, I can confidently say that regardless of it all, not a single one has ever let me down.”
She added, “Even if ‘dance mom’ Cheryl decided to take over rehearsal at times, ha, you knew that it came from a loving place so thank you again for trusting me , allowing me to mold you into dancers, and for the amazing ride that I’ll never forget. LOVE TO YOU ALL! 🤍”
Owens responded in the comment section, writing, “It was an absolute honor!!#DWTS#GETCHAPOPCORN#SEASON25”
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Burke announced her decision to leaveDWTSinan emotional Instagram postprior to the show’s season finale,comparing retirement to divorcein a conversation with PEOPLE.
“I have beencrying nonstop,“Burke shared. “It has been very emotional. There [are] a lot of emotions and there’s lots of excitement, but there’s also lots of fear. At the end of the day, this is actually maybe another divorce in a way that I’m going through in one year.”
“I think the whole world knows at this point that I would definitely love to. But it’s not up to me,” she said.
“What is up to me is my future, and I do know that it is time for me to evolve and see what else there is,” Burke added. “Because there is life afterDancing with the Stars, so I’ve heard. I don’t know yet. I’ll let you know.”
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Dancing with the Starsseason 31 wrapped last week withCharli D’Ameliocrowned as the winner.
source: people.com