Cheryl Burke, a veteran professional dancer and long-time fixture on Dancing With the Stars, has spoken out bluntly against bullying within the show’s fandom.
She described the descending toxicity she’s witnessed online, explained why she refuses to engage in or endorse that behavior, and argued for a more compassionate, respectful fan culture.
Her comments arrive amid a broader conversation about how fans treat celebrities, contestants, and each other in the digital age.
Below we unpack Burke’s stance, analyze the cultural dynamics at play, and consider what constructive steps fans, platforms, and the show can take to curb harassment while preserving passionate engagement.
The moment Cheryl Burke spoke out
Cheryl Burke’s interview felt direct and personal.
She recounted examples of online harassment aimed at colleagues and contestants, and how such behavior affects those targeted.
Burke emphasized that bullying is “not something I promote,” making clear she distances herself from fans who weaponize their passion to hurt people.
Her tone combined disappointment with urgency — disappointed with the fandom’s turn toward nastiness, urgent about the need to reverse course.
That combination resonated because Burke has decades of experience balancing public life, competition pressure, and the emotional labor of being both a performer and a public figure.
Why her voice matters
Burke’s words carry weight for several reasons.
First, she’s been part of Dancing With the Stars since its early seasons, giving her a unique historical perspective on how fan culture has evolved.
Second, as someone who’s worked closely with many partners and contestants, she has witnessed firsthand how online commentary can affect mental health and performance.
Third, her voice matters because she represents a professional standard — the kind of conduct she models on and off the dance floor.
When someone with her credibility speaks against bullying, it can influence both casual viewers and more dedicated fans.
What’s happening in the fandom
The Dancing With the Stars fandom is large, passionate, and highly engaged.
Fans organize voting campaigns, produce reaction videos, post analysis, and rally behind favorite pairings.
But with passion comes polarization.
Online spaces that once celebrated dance and camaraderie have sometimes shifted into battlegrounds where fandom tribes attack rivals, dissect perceived slights, and amplify rumors.
The result is an environment where talented contestants and creative professionals can feel under siege.
Social media dynamics and escalation
Social platforms are designed to reward engagement, and conflict often generates the most attention.
Algorithms tend to amplify sensational posts, which can magnify negativity quickly.
What starts as a critical comment can escalate into coordinated harassment, doxxing, or personal attacks.
This escalation is not limited to words — it can morph into campaigns that seek to influence show outcomes or to personally intimidate contestants off-camera.
Burke’s condemnation highlights how these platform dynamics foster a climate where fans may feel justified in crossing lines they wouldn’t in person.
The emotional toll on contestants and crew
Contestants on Dancing With the Stars already face intense pressure — live performances, judges’ critiques, and the unpredictability of public voting.
Add to that the barrage of online negativity, and mental health risks grow.
Targets of bullying report heightened anxiety, insomnia, and a constant dread of checking social media.
Even crew members and professionals like Cheryl Burke can be affected by criticisms aimed at partners, choreography choices, or judging decisions.
This emotional toll harms the creative process and can diminish the joy of performing.
Cheryl Burke’s stance: compassion over confrontation
Burke’s message was consistent: competitive passion is fine, but cruelty is not.
She encouraged fans to hold each other accountable and to prioritize kindness.
The former DWTS pro argued that fandom should lift people up, especially because the show is rooted in artistic expression, vulnerability, and teamwork.
She also highlighted personal responsibility — each fan’s choice to speak kindly or meanly matters.
Practical implications of her position
Burke’s comments suggest a few practical implications for fans and the broader community.
Fans who truly love the show should:
- Celebrate good performances, even when their favorites lose,
- Offer constructive criticism rather than personal attacks,
- Call out bullying within fan spaces, and
- Support contestants’ mental health by promoting positive campaigns.
Burke’s position also hints at a cultural shift: fandoms might need to self-regulate, creating norms and moderators who prevent abusive behavior.
When community leaders, influencers, and veteran fans adopt Burke’s tone, the culture can change from within.
Broader context: bullying in modern fandoms
The DWTS situation is not unique.
Across entertainment — from reality TV to streaming series to celebrity Instagram — fandoms sometimes splinter into aggressive factions.
Several factors contribute to this: heightened parasocial relationships (fans feeling they “know” a star), anonymity online, and competitive structures like voting.
These conditions create a perfect storm for nasty behavior unless checked by community norms and platform policies.
Comparisons with other shows and communities
Reality competition shows often trigger the most intense fandom wars because they invite direct audience participation through voting.
Shows like Survivor, The Voice, and reality dating series have all experienced fan toxicity at times.
Comparing DWTS with these examples shows that the mix of emotional investment and perceived influence over outcomes can spur fans to cross ethical boundaries.
Burke’s stance positions DWTS to be proactive rather than reactive, learning from other communities that have implemented anti-bullying measures.
What can the show and platforms do?
Burke’s call for compassion should be paired with actionable solutions from platforms and the show’s producers.
Here are several realistic steps that could reduce toxic behavior and protect participants.
Producer-level actions
- Clear anti-harassment policies in contestant contracts: Producers can create obligations and protections that disincentivize public bullying.
- Mental health support: Provide contestants and crew with counselors, media training, and resources for handling online abuse, including connections to reputable mental health resources.
- Moderated fan engagement: Host official forums, live chats, and watch parties with strong moderation to model healthy discourse.
- Positive campaigns: The show can amplify messages about kindness and highlight fan initiatives that uplift contestants.
Platform and social media measures
- Rapid response protocols: Platforms should streamline reporting and removal of abusive content targeting individuals.
- Better moderation tools: Improve automated detection for harassment while balancing free speech concerns.
- Visibility for supportive content: Algorithms could be tuned to favor celebratory content and constructive critique over inflammatory posts.
- Education and nudges: Platforms can display reminders about community guidelines and the toll of online harassment during heated seasons, and link to resources about online safety and reporting.
How fans can respond constructively
If you’re a DWTS fan who wants to be part of the solution, here are practical steps you can take right now.
Personal conduct
- Pause before posting: If you’re angry or disappointed, wait and reframe your critique constructively.
- Remember the human: Contestants are real people with families and feelings — treat commentary as if you were speaking to someone in person.
- Promote empathy: Adapt language that encourages growth rather than humiliation.
- Support mental health resources: Donate to or promote organizations that help performers and public figures cope with online abuse, such as established performer support charities and helplines.
Community-level actions
- Moderate forums: Volunteer to help moderate fan groups and remove abusive posts.
- Call out abuse: Politely but firmly challenge harassment when you see it, and report repeat offenders.
- Create positive campaigns: Organize ‘fan hugs’ or appreciation threads to offset negative attention for contestants.
- Elevate constructive voices: Share thoughtful analysis and praise skilled routines rather than amplifying gossip.
The role of influencers and veteran fans
Influencers and long-time DWTS devotees hold disproportionate sway in fan ecosystems.
When they model respectful behavior, other fans often follow.
Burke’s message underscores the opportunity for these leaders to set norms: they can discourage harassment, promote supportive initiatives, and amplify content that enriches the fan community.
A single well-placed post from a popular fan or podcast host can calm a pile-on or steer attention back to artistry and competition.
Potential objections and responses
There are common objections to efforts aimed at reducing fan toxicity.
Addressing them frankly can help build consensus.
Objection: “Fans should be free to criticize. This is censorship.”
Response: Constructive criticism is vital, but personal attacks and organized harassment are not protected forms of expression in a healthy community.
Encouraging responsibility isn’t censorship — it’s raising the standard of discourse.
Objection: “Online anonymity makes abuse inevitable.”
Response: Anonymity can enable abuse, but community norms, better moderation, and platform tools can significantly reduce harm.
Many online spaces have transformed their culture through consistent enforcement.
Objection: “Bullying is part of fandom passion.”
Response: Passion doesn’t require cruelty.
Fans can be deeply invested while still practicing empathy.
Encouraging that balance strengthens fandoms rather than weakening them.
Why this matters beyond the show
Bullying in the DWTS fandom is a microcosm of a wider social issue.
How we treat public figures, performers, and each other online reflects our collective values.
If even a show built on collaboration and artistry can become a locus for harassment, it’s a sign that cultural and technological fixes are needed widely.
Burke’s critique invites a broader civic conversation about online conduct, empathy, and the responsibilities of digital citizens.
Positive outcomes if change happens
If fans, producers, and platforms respond to Burke’s call, the benefits extend beyond reducing anonymous cruelty.
Potential positive outcomes include:
- Better mental health for contestants and crews, enabling stronger performances and creative risk-taking.
- A revived fan culture that emphasizes artistry, constructive debate, and mutual support.
- A model for other fandoms to emulate, demonstrating how influential communities can police themselves and partner with platforms.
- A more sustainable entertainment ecosystem where performers feel safe engaging with fans.
Final thoughts: passion with responsibility
Cheryl Burke’s frank rebuke of bullying in the Dancing With the Stars fandom is more than a celebrity soundbite.
It’s a challenge and an invitation: challenge to fans who condone toxicity, and invitation to those who care about dance to lead a kinder, more supportive community.
Fandom should be a place where people share joy, debate thoughtfully, and uplift performances that move them.
If fans answer Burke’s call, DWTS can reclaim the best of its communal spirit — fierce in support of talent, gentle in confronting disagreement, and united in valuing the people behind the performances.
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