'Dancing With The Stars': Cheryl Burke impresses the judges with AJ McLean despite taking a hard fall

Burke experienced a hard fall during the rehearsals but managed to be ready on the day of the performance
AJ McLean and Cheryl Burke (ABC)
AJ McLean and Cheryl Burke (ABC)

AJ McLean and Cheryl Burke have been doing a tremendous job every week as they have been getting a good score while also impressing the judges. This week, things seemed to take a different turn for the couple after Cheryl experience a hard fall during her rehearsals. The latest episode (October 26) saw the cast members taking on the theme of Villains. 

AJ decided to take on the character of Norman Bates. While the two were looking forward to it, AJ admitted that the unexpected event shocked them both. "Cheryl and I were practicing during stage rehearsal and it did not go well... It happened so fast, I just heard her head hit the floor," he recalled the accident in which Cheryl hit her head on the floor. 

The doctors had informed her that there might be a chance she won't be able to perform. However, the dancer managed to get back on her feet and get ready for the big performance with her partner. The pair performed a Tango and made sure every move of theirs was done to perfection. 

The judges were impressed and applauded Cheryl for showing strength and coming on the dance floor despite a terrible fall. Carrie Ann Inaba thought it was a difficult routine that was performed well. However, she wanted AJ to focus more on his posture. Derek Hough too loved the dance and suggested AJ's footwork had improved a lot. 

He agreed with Carrie Ann and thought AJ should focus on his footwork. Meanwhile, Bruno also liked the performance. Carrie Ann and Bruno gave the pair a nine while Derek gave them an eight. The pair got an overall score of 26 out of 30. 

Tyra Banks was quick to ask AJ about the feelings he was going through when he saw Cheryl get hurt. He admitted it was hard for him as she had now become a family to him. However, he was proud of her and happy to see that she was doing better. Cheryl assured everyone that she was doing better and was ready for another performance next week. 

'Dancing With The Stars' airs on Mondays at 8 pm ET on ABC. 

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Mariska Hargitay’s reported ‘SVU’ paycheck includes acting and producing, while her estimated wealth reflects a career spanning more than four decades.
2026-11-12T20:43:49.000Z
'Marshals' Season 2 introduces a Texas cowgirl who joins Kayce Dutton at East Camp to help establish an equine therapy program.
2026-11-12T20:24:16.000Z
‘School Spirits’ Season 4 brings back Jennifer Tilly as Deborah Hunter-Price and Milo Manheim as Wally Clark while expanding its cast with four new additions
2026-11-12T20:05:26.000Z
Paul Wesley and Sara Canning reunite for Netflix’s college sports romance ‘Icebreaker,’ years after starring together in ‘The Vampire Diaries.’
2026-11-12T19:40:49.000Z
Peacock’s ‘The Good Daughter’ finale answers questions about the school shooting, Huck’s past and the buried secrets dividing Sam and Charlie’s family.
2026-11-12T16:29:59.000Z
‘Chicago Fire’ star Taylor Kinney shares the date for the franchise’s next crossover, which will bring all three NBC dramas together
2026-11-12T08:52:55.000Z
James Reynolds reveals his Parkinson’s diagnosis and explains why ‘Days of Our Lives’ is bringing it into Abe Carver’s storyline
2026-11-12T08:23:38.000Z
Charlie Vickers and his ‘The Rings of Power’ co-stars hint at Sauron’s next move and the Season 3 moments that left even the cast struggling for words
2026-11-12T07:50:09.000Z
Nearly three decades after their 1997 horror film, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ryan Phillippe are sharing the screen again, this time in the ‘9-1-1’ franchise
2026-11-12T06:55:17.000Z
The Hulu spinoff follows nine MomTok creators in California, with Jen Affleck as the lone original star
2026-11-12T05:10:11.000Z