Cheryl Burke and Len Goodman.Photo:Jon Kopaloff/WireImage; Eric McCandless via Getty
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage; Eric McCandless via Getty
Though she allegedly wasn’t invited to be a part ofLen Goodman’s tribute onDancing with the Stars,Cheryl Burkeis honoring the former head judge with her own emotional message.
In a touching video tribute posted on Instagram, the formerDWTSpro shared how the late ballroom dance icon had shaped her career ahead of the competitive dance series’ memorial performance on Tuesday.
“Even though I am not going to be in the ballroom tonight, I still want to be able to express how much Len Goodman meant to me and the influence he had on my competitive career even beforeDancing with the Stars,” she began. “There are not enough words to honestly describe how much he really made such a huge impact on my life, but why not give it a shot?"
Though Goodman – whodied of bone cancerat 78 in April — was “one of the many judges” she’s performed for throughout her career, Burke claimed she would name him as her “favorite judge” every time an interviewer would ask her — “without hesitation.”
She went on to praise his “tough love and no B.S. approach,” and shared that Goodman’s “respect for the art and sport of ballroom dance showed me and millions of people how much you truly cared.”
Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.
“No dilly dallying around with gimmicks or tricks. All you ever wanted to see was strictly ballroom,” Burke continued. “I’m sure many will agree when I say that because of you, ballroom dancing was brought to mainstream television.”
She began wiping tears from her eyes as she shared that her priority during her tenure on the show was to make him “proud.”
Burke gushed, “Thank you so much for representing us ballroom dancers and never compromising what we stood for in the ballroom community. Thank you for changing my life and for bringing joy to millions of people who have been watching us throughout the years.”
Derek Hough and Len Goodman on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
“I’d also like to send my love to Mr. Len Goodman’s family, as well as wish all of the pro dancers tonight who are taking part in Len’s tribute so much love,” she concluded. “I know that Len would give your performance an 11 if he could.”
In the caption of her video, she also noted his significance, writing, “There are special people who never leave us, even after they are gone. Len Goodman is one of them…🤍.”
Last Thursday, Burke — who performed on the show for 17 years and 26 seasons — revealed she would not be participating in the upcoming tribute episode ofDancing with the Starsin a post shared toThreads.
Cheryl Burke performs on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Eric McCandless/ABC/Getty
The special will prompt the return of other formerDWTSpros likeMaks Chmerkovskiy,Kym Johnson-Herjavec,Tony Dovolani, Anna Trebunskaya, Edyta Śliwińska,Karina Smirnoff,Louis van AmstelandMark Ballas.
Reps atDancing with the Starsdid not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Dancing with the Starsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
source: people.com
