Despite what her family might think, Alix Earle was grateful for former Dancing With the Stars pro Cheryl Burke’s feedback during last week’s episode.
“I really appreciated your critiques and feedback so helpful for me as someone in the competition,” Alix, 24, wrote in the comment section of Cheryl’s recent TikTok video. “Thank you.”
The video, posted late last week, featured Cheryl reflecting on her experience at the judges table — and some criticism that came after.
“After taking a day to really sit with everything — the feedback from my guest judging, the body-shaming remarks, the kind words, the harsh ones, and everything in between — here’s where I’m at,” the 41-year-old professional dancer captioned the video, posted on Thursday, October 30, which was nearly three minutes long.
“I am actually proud of myself for being able to really get my point across in just a few seconds that I had, because that’s what I was the most nervous about,” Cheryl said in her video. “I hope that what was said is something that can be helpful to the remaining couples.”
The former DWTS pro noted that her comments came from “personal experience” of being on the show. (Cheryl appeared on the ABC competition series for 26 seasons.)
Cheryl noted that the “aggressive” reaction to her comments — including “body shaming” — was not OK.
“I know that I did the best that I could with the information that I had and with what I saw in real time,” Cheryl added. “For the people who think body shaming is OK, especially in front of your children, that sends a powerful message about what you value. And clearly it’s not kindness.”
@cherylburkeofficial After taking a day to really sit with everything — the feedback from my guest judging, the body-shaming remarks, the kind words, the harsh ones, and everything in between — here’s where I’m at… @Dancing with the Stars #DWTS #dwts #dancingwiththestars
♬ original sound – Cheryl Burke
She concluded, “I was simply again, doing my job as a judge, giving feedback based on almost 20 years of my life, and if my score was different from the other judges, it was by one point. I have dedicated my whole life towards being a competitor of ballroom dancing.”
Following her appearance on the October 28 episode of DWTS, Cheryl received some criticism after her scores were lower than fellow judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
DWTS viewers are convinced that Cheryl’s comments about the body-shaming remarks she faced were a shot at Alix’s stepmom Ashley Earle (née Dupré).
Ashley told the professional dancer to “go take more Ozempic” after Cheryl gave Alix a lower score during last week’s Halloween episode. (Cheryl has repeatedly denied taking the weight loss drug.) Ashley has since apologized for the remark.
“I just wanted to jump on here and apologize for making comments that were insensitive in the heat of the competition,” she shared in a TikTok video on Friday, October 31. “My step-motherly instincts got the better of me. Never ever do I want to make another person feel bad.”
Ashley added, “In fact, I try to do the opposite and I always try to pick others up. If you follow me, you know that about me, I hope. And that’s how we raised our children. I’m sorry that my actions did not reflect that. I hope everyone has a great Halloween.”
