Cheryl Burke Says She’s Ready to Move Forward After This Year

“It’s the end of an era, my time as a dancer on Dancing with the Stars,” she exclusively told E! News in November. “It has changed my life. I have not stopped crying and I’m not one to really cry.”

As for why it was time to step away from the long-running competition series, she revealed that it had taken a physical toll on her, noting, “There is wear and tear.”

“But also, my heart is telling me to see what else is out there,” she continued. “We are human and we evolve. I do. At least I would like to say that I am a work in progress forever.”

And despite closing a major chapter in her life, she hinted that there are exciting things fans can expect from her up ahead.

“I do know, though, that this is not the end of my career and I want to be able to see what else is out there,” she explained. “And Dancing with the Stars, the schedule is so intense. I’ve got so many projects that I’ve been working on.”