Cheryl Burke to Return as DWTS Halloween Guest Judge on Oct 28

Cheryl Burke, a two-time Mirrorball champion who spent 26 seasons as a professional on Dancing With the Stars, will return to the ballroom as a guest judge for the show’s Halloween episode on Tuesday, Oct. 28, sitting alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Burke said she will bring a technical ballroom perspective to the panel, with a focus on authenticity to the assigned dance styles and clear, constructive feedback for the remaining couples.

Burke, 41, who won seasons 2 and 3 and left the competition as a pro in 2022, told reporters she plans to “stay in my lane” by emphasizing technique rooted in the ballroom adjudication system. She noted she took an adjudicator’s test and has studied the standard technique books used in competitive ballroom, and said her comments will aim to help couples refine transitions, build chemistry and honor the rules of specific dances. Burke also acknowledged the tight time judges have on air, saying delivering useful critique within the allotted 15 seconds will be a challenge.

Her return comes as the show grapples with intensified viewer debate over scoring and judging, amplified by social media. Audience members have publicly...