When Cheryl Burke judged Alix Earle’s Halloween tango with a tough 9, she kicked off a debate reaching far beyond the ballroom—becoming a flashpoint for issues of scoring, body image, and passion that have defined ‘Dancing With the Stars’ fandom for decades.
Quick Recap: What Sparked the Controversy?
During a memorable Halloween special on Dancing With the Stars Season 34, social media star Alix Earle and her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy delivered a dramatic tango to Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend.” Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli each awarded them a perfect 10. As guest judge for the night, DWTS legend Cheryl Burke issued the only dissent—an emphatic 9, leaving the pair just shy of a perfect score. Earle still celebrated a season-peak total of 39, but at home, her stepmother, Ashley Dupré Earle, sharply criticized Burke via TikTok with a pointed comment about the dancer’s appearance.
As the video went viral, debate erupted: Was Burke justified in her scoring? Was the public call-out a fair reaction, or did it cross a line?
Behind the Scores: What Happened on the DWTS Floor?
Burke’s critique was rooted in ballroom standards. While the judges acknowledged Earle’s performance was technically dynamic and emotionally engaging, Burke highlighted a classic technical note—Earle broke hold, which in professional ballroom is typically considered a deduction-worthy mistake. Burke praised Earle’s “passion and fire,” but explained, “I hate that you broke hold,” referencing her attention to dance fundamentals—something fans and newcomers alike often debate.
After the show, Earle herself admitted that she looks to her pro partner for guidance and welcomed tough feedback, echoing the kind of constructive criticism Burke offered (Parade).
The Viral Response: Stepmom’s TikTok & the Ozempic Comment
As the scores were announced, Ashley Dupré Earle filmed her family’s reaction. Disappointed with Burke’s 9, she exclaimed, “Oh, go take more Ozempic!”—a reference both to pharmaceutical weight-loss trends and unfounded speculation about celebrities’ appearances. When one of Earle’s children asked about the comment, Dupré doubled down: “She looks weird. Doesn’t even look like her.”
The video quickly drew attention, sparking discussion about body-shaming, the visibility of public figures, and the ethics of projecting personal frustration onto judges who must balance fan passion with judging integrity (Parade).
Cheryl Burke’s Legacy: More Than Just Scores
Cheryl Burke joined Dancing With the Stars in Season 2 and competed for a remarkable 26 seasons, eventually becoming one of the franchise’s most recognizable pros and a champion for ballroom artistry. Even after her 2022 retirement as a competing pro, Burke’s influence has extended through her candidness about the pressures of the dance world and her advocacy for mental, emotional, and physical health within the industry (People).
Burke has openly discussed how the dance world’s focus on body image has impacted her over decades in the spotlight. “As a dancer, we were stuck in front of mirrors constantly… it was important to stay at a certain weight, and my dance coaches were really strict,” she told People. In the same interview, Burke clarified her own weight loss after 40 was achieved through healthier routines, not medications or fad diets. She’s repeatedly addressed—and rejected—public speculation regarding Ozempic or other drugs, urging fans and critics alike to stop picking apart women’s bodies.
How the DWTS Community Reacted: Fandom, Forum Debates, and Constructive Critique
DWTS fanatics are well-acquainted with controversies over judging. On forums such as Reddit and dedicated fan communities, the discussion often centers on:
- Do strict ballroom standards (like docking for “breaking hold”) enhance or hinder the show’s evolution?
- Should judges prioritize technical mastery or performance charisma?
- Is social media commentary on scores fair game, or does it sometimes cross into personal attack?
This particular incident reignited old debates. Many longtime fans applauded Burke for upholding technical integrity, referencing her decades of experience and the importance of consistent standards. Others felt she was too tough on a breakthrough performer. Most agreed, however, that the stepmom’s public call-out—especially in front of young viewers—stepped over a line, venturing from passionate fandom into personal insult.
Body Image Discourse and the Bigger DWTS Picture
Cheryl Burke’s response to body-shaming, both after this incident and in prior statements, highlights a broader issue. The intersection of reality TV, social media, and the public’s expectations of women’s appearances is a persistent source of stress for female performers. Burke’s willingness to confront this dynamic head-on has only deepened her legacy: not merely as a dancer or judge, but as a role model for resilience and self-advocacy (People).
What This Means for DWTS—and for Fans
At its heart, Dancing With the Stars has always thrived on passionate engagement. Viewer investment doesn’t just power the show’s voting system—it shapes the narrative far beyond the dance floor. Incidents like the Halloween Night scoring drama reveal much about the endurance of ballroom traditions, the evolving role of judges, and the ongoing negotiation between constructive critique and community standards. Underlying it all is a shared love for dance, performance, and the richly human personalities that fuel the ballroom each season.
Key Takeaways for Longtime and New Fans
- Cheryl Burke’s judge persona is rooted in a strong commitment to technical dance mastery, not personal judgments.
- The scoring system reflects an ongoing tension between tradition and entertainment value.
- Fans play a crucial role in shaping the show’s conversation—but criticism can and should stop short of body-shaming or personal attacks.
- This episode is another entry in the robust history of DWTS—reminding us that what happens in the ballroom is never isolated from the larger cultural conversation.
Further Resources & Citations
For fans who want to explore the full context:
