Cheryl Burke opened up about her struggle with alcoholism and her inspiring journey to sobriety during a recent episode of "Good Morning America." The pro dancer also explained how her husband has been supportive of her so far.
"Dancing With The Stars" star Cheryl Burke opened up about her inspiring journey to sobriety during a recent appearance on "Good Morning America." The professional dancer revealed she decided to stop drinking over two years ago at her engagement party.
The decision was made shortly after her now-husband Matthew Lawrence proposed to her. Though the decision was ultimately hers, Burke admitted that Lawrence had been a major support system on her sobriety journey.
Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke attend the 25th Annual Race To Erase MS Gala in 2018 in Beverly Hills | Source: Getty Images
The pro dancer described her husband as her rock and added that she doesn't know where she will be without him. Burke's struggle with alcoholism started when she first moved to Los Angeles.
The pro dancer went for parties every night and eventually got used to drinking every day. Given that her father also struggled with alcoholism, Burke was sure that the addiction ran in her family and chose to walk off the path.
Her father's successful fight against the addiction also inspired Burke to give up drinking. For her, the road to recovery was made up of therapy and a daily dose of meditation, which has helped her stay sober.
However, this did not make it any easier. Burke explained that making a life-changing decision like sobriety resulted in her losing some friends, but she had to be okay with it in the end.
Currently, Burke is competing on Season 29 of "Dancing With The Stars" with Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean as her partner.
Last month, Burke celebrated two years of sobriety and explained that she chose to abruptly stop drinking because the other option was for her to break down and check into rehab. About friends that had left and those that stayed, she said:
"I have a lot less friends but a lot more meaningful friends."
Currently, Burke is competing on Season 29 of "Dancing With The Stars" with Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean as her partner. Like her, McLean has also battled addiction in the past.
Speaking about it, Burke said she was happy to be paired up with McLean because she would have been worried if he was partnered with someone who likes to party. During an interview with TV Insider last month, Burke was asked how she would approach the new season.
In response, the pro dancer explained that she has experienced a lot of growth over time and would bring all she has learned to her performances on the show. With a positive approach to life, Burke continues to grow every day, and fans can expect her to bring nothing but the best to the show.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmtqa2hjaXqlw9OsZJyglafGrXnBrqmknV2kvaa60mafnqpdn7y2vs2esGarn5e%2Fb7TTpqM%3D