Yardbarker
x
'DWTS' pro Cheryl Burke announces positive COVID-19 test
PictureGroup

'Dancing with the Stars' pro Cheryl Burke announces positive COVID-19 test

Longtime "Dancing with the Stars" pro Cheryl Burke and her partner Cody Rigsby weren't present in the ballroom for Monday night's episode after Burke tested positive for COVID-19.

Burke broke the news herself in a video filmed Sunday but posted to Twitter on Monday afternoon.

"I've been feeling progressively worse, but yeah, the PCR test came back positive," the 37-year-old dancer said in the video, getting visibly emotional. "I just feel so bad. I feel so bad for Cody. I feel like I'm letting him down. I just feel like s—t, to be quite honest."

Burke added: "I just hope I didn't spread it. For those of you who don't think COVID is a real thing, it's f-----g real, dude. So, I have to quarantine for 10 days. I've been ordered to stay home. I'm in my car because I just don't know what to do with myself, to be quite honest. ... I can't believe this happened."

"DWTS" host Tyra Banks addressed the situation on the broadcast, noting that Burke is fully vaccinated and confirming once again her positive COVID test (h/t Yahoo Entertainment).

"She and Cody Rigsby were in close contact," Banks told the audience. "Although he's also fully vaccinated, out of an abundance of caution, he's not in the ballroom tonight. However, this does not mean they're out of the competition."

Instead of performing with their fellow competitors like usual, Burke and Rigsby's salsa was judged based off of their pre-recorded practice session.

It was enough to keep them in the competition, as Martin Kove ("Cobra Kai," "Karate Kid") and his dance partner Britt Stewart were the first couple ousted from Season 30.

Prior to the 30th season premiere, Burke admitted to being "nervous," "insecure" and "scared" about her 24th season on the show.

"I want you to know, since being sober, this has been really scary for me," the two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner said, later saying that she is "really grateful for this opportunity" and clarified that her retirement from "DWTS" "isn't definitive."

Burke is around three years sober after quitting drinking cold turkey, which she discussed last September on the LadyGang podcast (h/t USA Today).

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.