Cheryl Burke Reveals Trauma of Being Called Fat

By Rebecca Macatee Posted Jan 27th 2011 10:07PM

'Dancing with the Stars' pro Cheryl Burke recently made headlines revealing she was molested as a child. But now the famous figure is opening up about her own self-image issues.

In the summer of 2008, a tabloid published photos of Burke looking heavier. "One night I was supposed to go out with my friends but I couldn't do it," she told PEOPLE. "Every time someone looked at me I was like, 'That person thinks I'm fat.'"

Burke estimated she gained 5 to 10 lbs while on hiatus from the show, and the 5'4" dancing star fought back when tabloids called her fat, saying, "You don't have to be anorexic to be beautiful."

The 26-year-old two-time 'Dancing With the Stars' champ confesses she was devastated by the public scrutiny, and tried everything from staving herself to diet pills.

The weight came off gradually, as a result of her rigorous dancing regimen and eating plenty of vegetables. "I love carbs and I love chips," she says. "I'm not going to deprive myself -- but instead of eating potato chips I'll eat Triscuits or low-fat Cheez-Its."

Now the lifelong dancer says she feels good about her body. "There are moments when I'm like, 'Ugh -- the camera adds 10 lbs,'" she admits. "But as long as I work up a sweat and eat clean I feel great about my body."

Comments

(29)

Thursday 27 January

By kathy

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It amazes me that there have been people calling her fat! A professional dancer? The people saying she was chunky could not do 10% of what she does. I notice they don't say Warren Sapp is fat. He'd kick their .....pudgy rumps.

Friday 28 January

By doedill7

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

warren sapp is fat. oohhh, now i'm scared

By turbogtrmstr

I'm so tired of people being picked on for being heavy. Were all not the same and we all don't go around with two cheeseburgers in every hand. I think it is time to stop and live and let live. Cheryl seems to be having a ruff week. I should be so fat. These people don't know what fat is and they talk like 20 pounds is fat. Please!

By kristine

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to all the fat-phobics. im gaining on purpose! haha! 158lbs at 5'5" hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

be anorexic all you like i think its disgusting!

By URAMOPHEAD

I always knew this girl was "off" first the molestation ACCUSATIONS now being called FAT. Well honey you are fat,ugly,lonely,homely,insecure and repulsive. Lets just get it all out in one interview, so you can DISAPPEAR
I can understand how you must feel when u look in a mirror.

By toffeenutte

URAMOPHEAD ... It is YOU who are the true definition of ugly. What a sad, sorry soul you must be to be able to say such unkind things about someone you don't even know. It's people like you, with your twisted attitude who make the world a difficult place to live in for those who are kind and sensitive - two words probably unfamiliar to you!

Sunday 30 January

By Suzanne

Wow, you are one sick person. Do you look in the mirror and like what you see? Doubt it. If you do, we all know you are mega delusional because your soul is dirty.

Monday 31 January

By milliebsp

I find it interesting that you tell Cheryl that she is "fat, ugly, lonely, homely, insecure and repulsive".

THEN you say you can understand how she must feel when she looks in the mirror.

I guess that's because YOU are fat,ugly,lonely,homely,insecure and repulsive ...

By Nico Toscani

She's not fat. She just has a thicker, shorter waisted build that is typical of cheerleaders, gymnasts, etc. She just gets a bit thicker during DWTS's hiatus.

By Steve Silva

Kids today are indeed fat. People of this generation don't perform the physical labor of previous generations, so they get FAT. It's bad for their health. They shouldn't be ridiculed, however, they should be encouraged to start moving.

By sue

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steve.. she is not a kid!!

I think Cheryl Burke is a beautiful and talented young woman. She's had some rotten experiences in her life and, having experienced the same, I truly empathize.

Cheryl, it matters not if you are fat, thin, or anywhere in between. What matters is what's in your heart. I know it's easy for me to say. Just remember, some people enjoy being cruel and hurting others. The smaller the person, the bigger their mouth!

By RJ

Cheryl Burke is beautiful and one of the reasons is because she's not a bag of bones.

WELL SAID!!!

By shauntavious

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shauntavious would call her phat.

By YellowRose3218

Whats wrong with writting skinny is not pretty.
Aol why cant I write that, everyone looks better with a little extra weight on them? Who does this hurt?

By eil

just a way to get votes on the next show, wants people to feel sorry for her. i wish she would just GO AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

And the world wishes You would go away. What an unattractive person you must be.

By Don J

Cheryl, I did notice that you gained a few but you were a long way from being fat. Everyone gains and looses through out their lives. You need to tell them that old saying, ( sounds like the pot calling the kettle black ). Just keep on dancing and lets get #3

By littlecowsaysmoo

"tried everything from staving herself " What? She hit herself with strips of wood? I bet that hurt.

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