Cheryl Burke is setting the record straight about her weight loss after months of facing Ozempic and cosmetic surgery rumors.
The “Dancing with the Stars” alum revealed that she has never used Ozempic or any weight-loss drugs and has also never gone under the knife to change her body structure.
Cheryl Burke also admitted to being affected by the online bullying that has come with her weight loss and revealed that her transformation was due to changing her eating habits.
The Dancer Has Been Affected By ‘Bullying’ About Her Weight Loss
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After a shocking 35-pound weight loss, Cheryl Burke became the target of online bullying and speculation about her transformation.
Much of the conversation centered around rumors that the former “Dancing with the Stars” pro joined a wave of celebrities allegedly using Ozempic, a prescription drug for type 2 diabetes that has gained popularity as a weight-loss aid.
Some critics have even accused Burke of undergoing cosmetic surgery to achieve her new look.
Now, Burke is setting the record straight. She insists she has never used Ozempic, despite widespread speculation. However, she did admit that the constant trolling and online criticism have taken a toll on her.
“It’s always been this race for me to try and gain others’ acceptance rather than find it within myself,” she told US Weekly in an interview. “To say that the social media bullying has not affected me would be a lie. I’m human. It happens so often that I’m not shocked by it.”
Cheryl Burke Changed Her Unhealthy Eating Habits To Achieve Weight Loss Transformation
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According to Burke, her decision not to use Ozempic came down to a fear of needles and discomfort with the drug’s alleged side effects.
“I’ve heard of side effects, people not feeling well, certain things that happen that are too gross to share,” Burke revealed, adding, “I’m not willing to feel like that.”
As for her dramatic transformation, Burke explained it was simply the result of changing her unhealthy eating habits.
“I stopped eating past 7 p.m., and it changed my whole body. It wasn’t so much about a number on the scale as it was about how I feel,” Burke added.
The Former ‘DWTS’ Pro Insists She Has ‘Never Gone Under The Knife’ To Get Work Done
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Elsewhere in the interview, Burke also hit back at her critics and doubled down on her claims about the authenticity of her transformation.
“I am not a liar. I’ve never gone under the knife to get anything done. There’s been no nips, tucks, Ozempic, nothing like that,” the 41-year-old declared.
“To be called a liar obviously doesn’t feel good, but I also know my truth. I’m learning to feel comfortable in my skin — my actual skin I was born with.”
The Model Claimed Most Of Her Criticism Has Come From Other Women
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In May, Burke also spoke about being hurt by many of the comments she received about her weight loss, especially those accusing her of no longer representing body positivity.
“What’s hurtful, I think, with seeing all these comments is that it’s mainly women attacking women. It’s such a shame,” she told People Magazine at the time.
She added, “Just because I’ve lost weight aesthetically doesn’t mean I don’t still represent body positivity. People, for some reason, think that, oh, now that she’s lost weight, what type of example is she setting?”
She went on to describe many of the messages as “really mean and cruel,” but made it clear she has no intention of publicly battling her critics.
“I could easily just mute my comments and all of it, but it doesn’t affect me to the point where I have to do that,” she shared. “I honestly have no interest in really clapping back more than I already have.”
Cheryl Burke Says She Now Prioritizes A Healthy Mindset Over Physical Changes
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At the time, the professional dancer also revealed that she once obsessed over her weight in her younger years but now prioritizes a healthy mindset above any physical changes.
“For me, it’s all about starting from within first instead of the aesthetic of what I look like from the outside,” she shared. “My goal wasn’t to lose a certain amount of weight.”
She also noted that she was inspired to shift her focus due to the set of natural changes that have come with being in her 40s.
“I’ve noticed not only my skin changing into mature skin, but also just my metabolism has changed quite a lot,” she told the outlet. “I’ve noticed my feet cramping randomly if I’m not moving often. Obviously, I’m not as active as I was when I was on the show, but it’s just been a whole change for me.”
