Cheryl Burke Recalls Traumatic, Physical Abuse From Ex-Boyfriend

Cheryl Burke is letting it all out at the red table.

The “Dancing with the Stars” pro is this week’s guest on Facebook Watch’s “Red Table Talk.”

The ex-wife of Matthew Lawrence opens up about a previous relationship she was in with an abusive partner.

In a teaser trailer released on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s episode, Burke recalls being whipped by her high school boyfriend.

Burke’s tragic revelation came about while she, Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris and an expert psychologist discussed trauma bonding.

“Trauma bonding” occurs when a narcissist repeats a cycle of abuse with another person which fuels a need for validation and love from the person being abused. Trauma bonding often happens in romantic relationships; however, it can also occur between colleagues, non-romantic family members, and friends, according to amfmtreatment.com.

“In high school — I’ll never forget — the person I was with on and off for about four years whipped me with a belt,” the 38-year-old dancing pro revealed. “And I had bruises all over my legs. I remember his parents were watching it — didn’t do anything.”

She went into further detail telling Smith and Norris, “And it wasn’t like he was hitting me; he was whipping me.”

It's worth repeating that this relationship occurred in high school.

Earlier this year, Burke filed for divorce from Lawrence.

According to legal documents, obtained by The Blast, she filed for dissolution of marriage in Los Angeles County Courts on February 18, 2022.

The famous former couple tied the knot on May 23, 2019, ending their relationship in under 3 years. According to reports, the couple started dating back in 2017 but met in 2006 after Lawrence’s brother — Joey — was cast on ‘DWTS.’ The couple dated for a few years following their meeting, but got back together in 2017 and eventually got married.

Lawrence proposed to Burke on May 3, 2018, on her 34th birthday. She hinted at the reason for their divorce on social media in August.

The dancing pro uploaded a video to TikTok with a not-so-subtle message about cheaters.

Burke stared blankly at the camera with no makeup and shook her head.

“When he said he would never talk to her again yet I found text messages, viagra, and a necklace hidden in a pair of his shoes,” the overlay writing read.

The video was paired with Adele’s song “When We Were Young.”

She captioned the photo, “The last time is absolutely right! Goodbye forever…#exessuck #goodbyeforever #hopeitwasworthit.”

Burke didn’t outright name or call out her ex-husband, but she has not been in a relationship since the dissolution of her marriage.