Cheryl Burke claims leaving Dancing With The Stars was harder than divorcing Matthew Lawrence while talking about her marriage

Dancing with the Stars alum Cheryl Burke, in the April 16 episode of Amy & T.J. podcast, claimed leaving the dance show was much harder than divorcing Matthew Lawrence after less than three years of marriage in 2022.

2022 was also the last year she performed as a pro partner on Dancing With the Stars after 25 seasons. When asked which "divorce" was harder, Cheryl responded:

"Dancing With the Stars. Hands down. You can't compare."

Cheryl Burke with Matthew Lawrence (Image via Getty)

Although she clarified her split with Matthew was not easy, Burke revealed the ballroom competition gave her a voice after joining the show at 21.

"That was my identity," Burke shared.

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"I would definitely say I was the breadwinner"—Cheryl Burke about her marriage

While talking about her marriage with Matthew Lawrence, Cheryl Burke revealed she financially supported her husband throughout the marriage and was the breadwinner.

"I tried to not obviously, I didn't buy my ex-husband, but, like, I definitely would say I was the breadwinner. Like, I supported us, and I don't think it's black and white. It's like - it made me feel good, but then it didn't necessarily make the relationship good," she said.

While talking about the kind of qualities she looks for in a partner, Cheryl revealed she wants someone who wants to consistently work on themselves and take accountability.

"Someone who's supportive, somone, who is not - confident is the wrong word - worth. Confidence is just, I believe, ego, like, comes from, like, the foundation of maybe a little ego," she added.

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Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence's relationship explored

Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence first met in 2006 after season 3 DWTS contestant and Lawrence's brother Joey Lawrence introduced the two. The two officially started dating in February 2007 and Burke told People at the time:

"Matt is very supportive and he always wants to make sure that we keep in contact and we're always on the phone, making sure that everything's okay. We talk constantly for hours and hours."

The couple allegedly broke up in 2008 after her rep confirmed to People. A decade after their split, Cheryl and Matthew reconnected in February 2017, and Cheryl shared a photo of her and Lawrence on Instagram with the caption, #reunitedanditfeelssogood.

In September 2017, while speaking to People, Cheryl revealed that she regretted breaking up with Matthew initially.

"When we first dated, we were both young and immature, and I was so new to (Hollywood). Now we are both adults and feel balanced," she said.

The couple got engaged in May 2018 on the dancer's 34th birthday. Burke, while showing off her ring in an Instagram post, said:

"OMG! So far so good for 34!"

In March 2019, less than a year after the engagement, Cheryl had a bridal shower and the couple tied the knot in May 2019 at Fairmont Grand del Mar in San Diego, California.

In February 2022, Burke filed for divorce from Lawrence at a Los Angeles courthouse, as per documents obtained by People. In the lawsuit, Burke listed January 7, 2022, as the date of separation and cited "irreconcilable differences." As per the lawsuit, the couple also had a prenuptial agreement.

In September 2022, the couple finalized their divorce, and Cheryl won custody of their dog, Ysabella, in January 2023.