Cheryl Burke's Face Transformation Has Left Her Nearly Unrecognizable

Cheryl Burke first danced her way into America's households on "Dancing with the Stars" in 2006. Aside from performing on the show for 25 seasons, she's hosted multiple podcasts, including the current "Burke in the Game," has had clothing and loungewear lines, and is a motivational speaker. 

But, in typical fashion, that isn't what has the internet rumbling: People are commenting on how Burke's face transformation has left her nearly unrecognizable, and one of her most notable appearances with her changed face took place at the 2025 iHeart Radio awards (where she landed on our list of worst-dressed celebs). The commentary on Burke's overhaul got so intense that she felt the need to address the gossip, including that she's not among the celebs who look totally different after using Ozempic. In May 2025, she took to Instagram, where she wrote: "I'm not on Ozempic. I'm not sick. I didn't get 'a new face.' Stop dissecting women's bodies like they belong to you."

While plenty of clap emojis were thrown up by followers, others weren't satisfied, with one writing, "She does look noticeably different. I think it's a combination of weight loss and fillers in her face. . .there's obviously a difference and people are going to notice and be curious. Just say you've had some things done and move on." So what does an expert have to say? We asked board-certified Dallas, Texas, plastic surgeon Dr. Frederick Weniger, who tells Glam exclusively that "there are refinements that suggest medical maintenance."

Our expert Dr. Frederick Weniger points to Cheryl Burke's 35-pound weight loss as one reason why she looks unrecognizable. "Significant weight reduction often thins the lower face, sharpens the jawline, and reduces mid-cheek fullness naturally," he notes, pointing to age as well. "The vast majority of what we all recognize as facial aging in early adulthood comes from a decrease in facial volume, which is exactly what we see in Cheryl's photos."

He adds that she may have had a few non-surgical procedures: "Her skin retains exceptional tautness for the amount of volume lost, indicating she may have supported her weight loss with skin-tightening modalities such as Morpheus8, Thermage, or ultrasound lifting." He suggests possible injectable appointments as well. "The cheeks and lips appear to have maintained youthful volume, which could reflect small amounts of filler used to restore balance after fat loss and aging," Dr. Weniger shares exclusively with Glam. "The forehead and eye areas show an absence of motion lines, pointing to periodic Botox or Dysport. Overall, while the slimmer profile owes much to lifestyle and body change, she likely uses minor non-surgical interventions — neuromodulators, fillers, and energy-based tightening — to maintain facial harmony and avoid the hollowing that can follow significant weight loss." 

But Dr. Weniger believes plastic surgery is also probable, explaining that "the upper and middle parts of her nose from the eyebrows down to her nasal tip are significantly narrower in her latest photo, suggesting a rhinoplasty (nose job)." He also suspects upper eyelid surgery, and this together with a possible nose job "give the illusion that her eyes are now closer together."

Cheryl Burke doesn't have to ever step foot into a surgeon's office or skin clinic if she doesn't want to. But in case she does, plastic surgeon Dr. Frederick Weniger has suggestions for what she may want to consider going forward. "Looking ahead, Cheryl has aged gracefully and clearly maintains her appearance with a thoughtful approach, so any future treatments should focus on refinement rather than alteration," he tells Glam exclusively. He recommends fractional laser resurfacing or microneedling (here are all the benefits you can expect from microneedling) for the texture and tone of her skin. "Mild filler support in the temples and mid-face could help counteract the natural volume loss that tends to create a tired look over time," the plastic surgeon goes on. "Subtle under-eye rejuvenation with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or a hyaluronic acid filler such as Restylane or Belotero could keep that area smooth without looking puffy." He adds that "preventative Botox in the neck and jawline — sometimes referred to as the 'Nefertiti lift' — can maintain definition as tissues begin to relax."

Overall, Dr. Weniger believes tweakments are her way forward: "Overall, her best strategy will be small, consistent interventions that preserve her current balance rather than drastic changes." Because as we know, social media has something to say when things are too drastic.