Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence’s relationship ended in 2022 when the “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer filed for divorce after three years of marriage. Initially citing irreconcilable differences, Burke later revealed in May 2024 that the split involved allegations of infidelity and financial conflicts. This was not the first time the couple had broken up; they previously dated from 2007 to 2008 after meeting in 2006 when Lawrence’s brother Joey competed on “DWTS.” Their initial breakup was partly due to Lawrence struggling with Burke’s partying and sobriety issues. “She was coming home at four, five in the morning. It was just too much,” he said on Burke’s “Pretty Messed Up” podcast in 2020.
Burke achieved sobriety in August 2018, inspired by her father’s death in March of that year and her engagement to Lawrence. Although their marriage ultimately did not work out, Burke expressed good wishes for Lawrence’s future happiness.
Six months post-divorce filing, Cheryl Burke hinted at infidelity through cryptic social media posts. In August 2022, she shared a TikTok video with the caption, “When he said he would never talk to her again yet I found text messages, viagra, and a necklace hidden in a pair of his shoes…” She also commented, “The last time is absolutely right! Goodbye forever.”
In response to suggestions she might be referring to someone other than Lawrence, Burke posted another TikTok a month later, lip-syncing a scene from “Modern Love” about cheating, and added a checklist that read: “Kick him out of my house; Hire divorce attorney; File for divorce.”
In addition to the allegations of infidelity, Burke mentioned financial imbalances in the relationship. On the “Amy & T.J.” podcast in April 2024, she said, “I definitely would say I was the breadwinner,” and explained that while this dynamic made her feel good, it was detrimental to their marriage.
After the divorce, Matthew Lawrence quickly moved on, meeting TLC’s Chilli at 90s Con in March 2022 and starting a relationship a few months later. Burke commented on the timing, saying, “That was fast…” on Instagram in January 2023. Lawrence, undeterred, continued to express his love for Chilli publicly, telling ET in March 2023, “I’ve never experienced this kind of relationship before, so it’s quite special.”
Lawrence also expressed his desire to start a family with Chilli. Although Chilli clarified that they were not actively trying for a baby, she did not rule out the possibility in the future, emphasizing she would prefer to be married first.
Despite the swift move on, Burke remains supportive of Lawrence’s new relationship. She told “The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever with Chris Harrison” in March 2023, “I really, truly hope he can actually have a kid with Chilli. I think that’s amazing because that’s what he always wanted.” Burke mentioned that the topic of children had been a point of contention in their marriage, citing her career and struggles with body dysmorphia as reasons for not pursuing motherhood. “With dance in general, that comes into play,” she explained.
