Cheryl Burke Speaks Out as Ryan Lochte's 'DWTS' Protesters Released From Custody: 'My Heart Is Aching'
Cheryl Burke says her “heart is aching” after protesters stormed the stage following her debut performance with dance partner Ryan Lochte at DWTS on Monday.
“I’m still trying to process everything that happened last night,” the 32-year-old dancer wrote on Instagram. “My heart is aching for Ryan and his family. No one deserves that sort of behavior directed at them. We all need to love each other and not be bullies or cowards. Let’s all just be positive for each other.”
EXCLUSIVE: Ryan Lochte Reacts to ‘DWTS’ Protestors
The protesters were released from police custody at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, with a court date set for Oct. 4, according to documents from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The two, Barzeen Soroudi and Sam Sotoodeh, were held overnight following Monday’s filming, when they rushed the stage wearing anti-Lochte shirts after the swimmer’s foxtrot with Burke.
The duo were in the middle of receiving feedback from judge Carrie Ann Inaba when they were interrupted.
In her post, Burke shared her “heartfelt” thanks to the show’s security team, who immediately tackled, handcuffed and escorted the protesters off the dance floor.
Show host Tom Bergeron echoed her sentiments on Twitter, praising the “fast-moving” guards.
WATCH: What Viewers Didn’t See When Ryan Lochte Protestors Stormed ‘DWTS’
See what Lochte told us following the DWTS drama in our exclusive interview below.
Related Gallery
