Unfortunately for us, not all celebrity gossip can be as happy-making as Betty White nudes or fictional vampire brides. In her new memoir, Dancing With The Stars‘ Cheryl Burke reveals that she was molested as a child. In the upcoming book Dancing Lessons, Burke recounts how her family’s handyman and sometimes child care provider began molesting her at five, abuse that only stopped once he was arrested for assaulting Burke’s half-sister and her friend. Cheryl recounts the terrifying ordeal of testifying against the man at age six, calling it, “the hardest thing I’ve ever done … I saw his face and lawyers were asking me these questions and I was like, ‘What am I doing? Did he even do anything wrong?’” Is your face frozen on the “Complete Horror” setting? Yeah, us too.
Ever since Burke’s abuser was released from prison after being sentenced to over 20 years in jail, Cheryl can’t help but look over her shoulder. “My worst nightmare is to run into him. Not until he dies will I be able not to worry,” Burke says. The dancer hopes discussing her traumatic experience will help others who are going through the same thing. “If I can help just one person for me that’s all that matters,” Cheryl says. A million hugs for the dancer and good luck in the upcoming season of DWTS that begins in March. Our understanding of karma says she’s earned it.
[Photo: Getty Images]
