Cheryl Burke's Surprising Revelation: The Real Story Behind Her Feud with Former 'DWTS' Partner Ian Ziering

Cheryl Burke and Ian Ziering. Greg Doherty/Getty Images;Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Cheryl Burke and Ian Ziering have put their past feud behind them, years after she publicly referred to him as her least favorite partner on Dancing With the Stars. Burke, 39, revealed that she sent Ziering, 59, an email a couple of years ago, following a YouTube video she made during the coronavirus pandemic. She expressed her apology to Ziering privately before offering a public apology, emphasizing that there are now no hard feelings between them.

Burke mentioned that Ziering responded to her apology in a concise and kind manner. However, she acknowledged that there were numerous matters they needed to address.

Burke and Ziering collaborated as partners on DWTS season 4 in 2007 and were eliminated in the semifinals. After close to ten years, Burke admitted that her experience working with Ziering had a severely negative impact on her mental well-being, using an expression she would never utter at present.

"I have undergone significant personal growth since season 4," she shared with The Post on Wednesday. "I now fully accept responsibility for my actions and acknowledge that my previous remarks were inappropriate. I hold no ill will towards Ian Ziering, neither then nor now."

Burke expressed these sentiments during her appearance on the "Allegedly with Theo Von and Matthew Cole Weiss" podcast in 2016.

Cheryl Burke (L) and actor Ian Ziering in 2007. Charley Gallay/Getty Images

"I went up to the executives, crying, and asked if there was a way to remove us from the partnership entirely," she said, recalling the incident. "The fact that his name is pronounced 'EYE-an' instead of 'EEE-an' makes me feel disgusted."

Burke faced criticism on social media for her remarks about wanting to slit her wrists, with fans accusing her of trivializing suicide, for which she has since apologized. As for Ziering, he never publicly addressed the podcast episode.

In the subsequent years, Burke frequently expressed remorse for her previous remark. During a 2021 episode of their "Pretty Messed Up" podcast, Burke admitted to Backstreet Boys member AJ McClean, her former DWTS partner, that she had crossed a line a few years ago. She confessed, "I participated in a podcast where they asked me about my favorite partner and who I disliked the most." Burke went on to explain, "I mentioned Ian Ziering and made a comment like, 'I would rather harm myself than dance with Ian Ziering again.'"

Burke expressed sincere regret for her choice of words and expressed a desire to make amends with the Beverly Hills 90210 alum. She acknowledged that her comment still haunts her.

"I deeply apologize for my thoughtless behavior and insensitivity. I realize now that I was trying to provoke a reaction and unfairly targeted him. My actions were extremely unpleasant and I publicly apologize to Ian and his family."