Cheryl Burke Questions If Ex Matthew Lawrence Felt 'Emasculated' by Her Financial Success: It 'May Have Taken a Toll'

Mar. 15, 2025

Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence.Photo: David Livingston/FilmMagic, Jim Smeal/Shutterstock

Cheryl Burkeis opening up about what she believes went wrong in her marriage toMatthew Lawrence.

On the Wednesday, Oct. 23 episode of theI Do, Part 2podcast, Burke — who was married to Lawrence, 44, for nearly three years beforefiling for divorce in February 2022— said she believes their breakup resulted from “bad timing” in their personal and professional lives.

TheDancing with the Starsalum, 40, recalled how they first met around 2006 when the actor’s older brother,Joey, was a contestant on season 3 of the reality show. She noted that at the time, she was “very new” to the entertainment industry and that he had already been in it since childhood.

Cheryl Burke dancing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty

Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty

“I was just at the height of the success ofDancing with the Stars,” said Burke. “So we were on tour. We did two seasons a year, two tours a year. So I was just like working all around the clock, barely had a day off.”

While they called things off a year after dating,they later reconnected in 2017and got married — even though Burke said Lawrence wasn’t working “as much” at the time.

Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence attend the RIDE Foundation’s 2nd Annual Dance For Freedon at gala The Broad Stage on September 29, 2018.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

“I kind of knew what I was getting into. That’s just my personality. I am never going to not make money. That comes from my mother, who is a rags-to-riches story. I’ve seen her hustle and was raised with her hustle. That’s who I am, ultimately,” said Burke. “I am actually proud of that. There’s no shame with that, for sure.”

TheSex, Lies, and Spray Tanspodcast host said she was fully aware of what she “was getting into financially” and believes it “did take a toll” on Lawrence.

“I’m not going to speak for him,” she said. “I’m not here to bad mouth and whatsoever. But I believe that there is this gender role where a man may feel a little emasculated when he doesn’t make the majority of the money, and I think that may have taken a toll.”

Matthew Lawrence attends the That’s 4 Entertainment’s 90s Con at Ocean Center on September 13, 2024 in Daytona Beach, Florida.Gerardo Mora/Getty

Gerardo Mora/Getty

In a March 2023 conversation withEntertainment Tonight, theBoy Meets Worldalumsaid their divorce “tested” him. “I learned so much about myself, and I’m so thankful and blessed for the opportunity to grow and that’s what came out of it,” he said at the time.

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Since their split, Lawrence has found love withRozonda “Chilli” Thomas. The twowent public with their romance in January 2023, after becoming involved romantically just ahead ofThanksgiving2022.

Monica Schipper/Getty

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Burke confirmed on theI Do, Part 2podcast that she remains single.

“As of today, I am single and celibate for the last three years, and I have definitely found power in that,” she said.

source: people.com