Cheryl Burke has explained why she decided to remain celibate for three years after her divorce from Matthew Lawrence.
The Dancing With The Stars pro, 40, who split from Lawrence, 44, in 2022, said she was previously a “serial dater” but has now developed “more self-love, self-respect and self-worth”.
“I dated a lot of people, so I was never, ever, ever single. The idea of living alone or being alone was just not an option,” she said. We weekly“That was never going to happen in my world,” the dancer added.
Now that she’s decided to remain single, Burke shared, “I love that I’ve grown so much and that I’m doing it consciously and with intention.”
The star shared that people are skeptical when she tells them about her decision to remain celibate and single.
Dancing With The Stars pro Cheryl Burke, 40, revealed why she decided to be celibate following her split from ex-husband Matthew Lawrence, 44; seen in 2023
The star, 40, who split from Lawrence, 44, in 2022, said she was previously a “serial dater” but has now developed “more self-love, self-respect and self-worth” – the former couple were spotted together in 2018.
“They’re like, ‘What?'” he said. “Like I’m speaking a completely different language. Which is very interesting.”
“I’m on that train, Mya. Come on, Mya,” he said, referencing the 44-year-old Grammy winner who recently announced she has been celibate for seven years.
The Sex, Lies and Spray Tans host, who left DWTS in 2022, also shared the stigma associated with being single in your 40s.
“I’ll never forget an interview he did with me recently, and he said, ‘Well, you seem to be very proud of being single,’ as if it wasn’t like, ‘Are you sure you’re proud?'” she said. “It’s interesting.”
The beauty also shared that she won’t be joining dating apps anytime soon.
“Never say never, but I have no plans to join a dating app, nor do I think or see myself looking for one,” she said.
‘Although I need to get better at leaving the house, I still live like a hermit sometimes, but I believe it will happen when it happens. When my energy changes, then I know that if it happens, I’m ready. I’m in no rush.’
“I feel like I’m still grieving in some ways, but not as heavily as I was a year ago,” she added.
“I dated people serially, so I was never, ever, ever single. The idea of living alone or being alone was just not an option,” she told Us Weekly; seen in 2023
Now that she’s decided to remain single, Burke shared, ‘I love that I’ve grown so much and that I’m doing it consciously and with intention’; seen in 2017
She also shared that she won’t be joining dating apps anytime soon. ‘Never say never, but I have no plans to join a dating app, and I don’t think about or see myself looking for one either,’ she said; seen in 2023
In 2022, after less than three years of marriage, she filed for divorce from Matthew. Earlier this year, she said that her role as the “breadwinner” caused problems in their marriage; seen in 2017
Meanwhile, Matthew has been standing firm with his girlfriend, Rozonda ‘Chili’ Thomas of the band TLC, after they were first linked in 2022.
Cheryl first revealed her journey towards celibacy through a TikTok video in August.
Later that month, she posted a video on Instagram sharing that she was “choosing[herself]for the first time.”
“I really think it’s helped me heal,” she told her followers, admitting the process can be “lonely.”
In April, she spoke openly about her split from Matthew, claiming that her role as “breadwinner” caused problems in their three-year marriage.
The professional dancer, whose divorce from the actor was finalized in September 2022, said she “learned you can’t buy love” during her appearance on the Amy and TJ podcast.
“I tried, obviously I didn’t buy my ex-husband, but I would definitely say I was the breadwinner,” she explained. “He supported us and I don’t think it’s black or white.”
During her marriage to Matthew, best known for his roles in ’90s hits Boy Meets World, Mrs. Doubtfire and Brotherly Love, Cheryl maintained gainful employment through her appearance on Dancing with the Stars.
“It made me feel good, but it didn’t necessarily improve the relationship,” she said of taking home the check.
Cheryl left DWTS in 2022, after 25 seasons, saying it was “definitely” harder than getting divorced; she was seen on the show in 2005
In February 2022, the dancer filed for divorce from Matthew after less than three years of marriage and, nine months later, announced their final performance as a professional couple on DWTS after 25 seasons.
When asked which “divorce” was harder, Cheryl replied: “Dancing With the Stars for sure… it doesn’t compare.”
Meanwhile, Matthew has been going from strength to strength with his girlfriend Rozonda “Chili” Thomas of the band TLC.
The couple made their romance Instagram official in December when they shared a video of themselves dancing in their pajamas.