'Dancing' Pros Critical Of Cheryl Burke, Lacey Schwimmer's Weight

Access Hollywood - October 23, 2008 12:13 PM PDT
Story photo: 'Dancing' Pros Critical Of Cheryl Burke, Lacey Schwimmer's WeightAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- "Dancing With the Stars" professional Cheryl Burke is facing new criticism over her weight and it's not from bloggers, but from her fellow pros.

"[People] look at this show to be inspired and think, 'If I just work hard enough, I can look like that," Louis Van Amstel, who in "DWTS" Season 6 was paired with Priscilla Presley, told the new issue of TV Guide. "If they watch someone who's dancing her butt off and she's still heavy, they can be discouraged. You have to take that responsibility."

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Highlights of 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 7

Louis and fellow professional Maksim Chmerkovskiy spoke out about Cheryl's weight and that of "Dancing" newcomer Lacey Schwimmer in the mag's new issue.

Maks, who was forced to leave "DWTS" earlier this season when his partner, Misty May-Treanor, tore her Achilles tendon, said he asked the women to take stock of their figures at the start of the season.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: 'Dancing With The Stars' Season 7

"When I first saw these women this season, I said, 'Guys, you know the camera adds 10 pounds,'" Maks recounted. "'You have to do something about this.'"

Cheryl attributed her weight gain to having fun over the summer, and Lacey said she isn't yet "back to" her "old self" following a December 2007 knee surgery.

Louis, however, said the weight gain happened because there was no "DWTS" jaunt over the summer.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Julianne Hough

"If you want to gain weight, it's your prerogative," Louis said. "We all put on weight because there was no summer tour. But you have to deal with the consequences."

But not everyone has been weight-critical.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Cheryl's current castmates - including leaderboard champ Brooke Burke, recently leapt to her defense after bloggers singled the two-time "DWTS" champ out.

"I think we have a lot of pressure on us being in Hollywood," Brooke previously told Access. "Cheryl is an example. I think she is sexy and voluptuous. I have always loved her body as feminine."

And Cheryl's celebrity partner Maurice Greene also had encouraging words.

"My family, my boys, everybody was calling her and telling her she looked great and don't be worrying about that stuff," he said. "I think she looks great and you know what? As long as she feels good, that's the only thing that matters really."

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Is 'Dancing With The Stars' Haunted?
PLAY IT NOW: 'DWTS' Elimination Show Wrap-Up (Oct. 21, 2008)

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Dancing With the Stars - Celebrities

comments

comments

comments 1-10 of 56  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Monika
    What stupid Pricks! They are both amazing dancers, and while they have their own body issues, it is not their place at all to tell them to lose weight. Yeah, i think they should wear outfits that are more flattering, but still allow good motion, but i would never tell them they had to lose weight.
    report abuseposted January 8, 2009 9:41 PM PST
  • sue m
    What a load of crap! They're people, not robots trotted out of a factory where everyone has to look the same! And for Louis to say that women may be discouraged from dancing if that's the best they will look is the opposite of what is true - real women who want to dance will be ENCOURAGED that they can move like that and not have to be stick thin to do it! Skinny does not mean phy
    report abuseposted December 3, 2008 2:01 PM PST
  • M
    I agree that both of these beautiful young women are the essence of what women should want to be and to realize it's great to have a figure and curves as a WOMAN!! They are obviously physically fit and they inspire so many females because you don't have to be the stick figure image in order to be beautiful as society likes to portray. Go gals, you're both wonderful!!!
    report abuseposted November 12, 2008 3:38 AM PST
  • vietarmys
    Those two men should grow a brain- one between them would be more than they have now. Heavy/ big is not bad per se. Football players are overweight and very large. As long as you can do what you want to do in life and love the way you look and feel- that's the goal- mind, body, and spirit. Moreover, there are millions of people who think voluptuous is breathtaking and beautiful. Disap
    report abuseposted November 5, 2008 7:46 PM PST
  • T.J. p
    louis is a jackass.............
    report abuseposted October 24, 2008 9:18 PM PDT
  • Callie
    Good lord. Someone tell Louis and Maks to shut the hell up. Both of them have egos the size of a small nation. Cheryl and Lacy are gorgeous, athletic, and seem to be alot more fun to hang around than either Louis or Maks.
    report abuseposted October 24, 2008 7:19 PM PDT
  • Melissa H
    Personally, I think some of the men could add a few pounds of muscle to their anorexic frames. Not everyone admires skinny, male or female. Healthy, muscular, toned is so sexy, gaunt is not!
    report abuseposted October 23, 2008 4:16 PM PDT
  • jess_sayin
    How about all the viewers who are inspired by the heavier contestants like Warren Sapp and Marisa Jaret Winokur? Everyone can dance, you don't have to be skinny to do it!!
    report abuseposted October 23, 2008 2:48 PM PDT
  • awantz
    There is no reason for either of them to be called "fat". So they are not stick skinny and can see their ribs. Who cares? They both look normal!! Their co-stars just need to leave them alone and worry about themselves. Ridiculos. I just don't understand...
    report abuseposted October 23, 2008 1:15 PM PDT
  • Tinkerbell
    Both of these women look great! They are in shape and healthy. If they were fat or overweight, they wouldn't be able to keep up with the DWTS schedule. It's easy for a guy to point out their weight, they cover up with shirts and pants.
    report abuseposted October 23, 2008 1:15 PM PDT
comments 1-10 of 56  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

Post A Comment

sign in to post a comment.

sign in

Help us to improve! - Send Your Suggestions