EXCLUSIVE: Cheryl Burke Says 'Dancing With the Stars' Helped Her Overcome Abusive Relationships
Cheryl Burke is getting candid about her past.
ET's Lauren Zima and Katie Krause caught up with the Dancing With the Stars pro for a Facebook Live interview on Tuesday, where the dancer revealed that her time on the show has helped her overcome abusive relationships.
WATCH: Cheryl Burke Breaks Silence About Childhood Sexual Abuse in TLC Documentary
"I'm not even joking," Buke shared, adding that the show has helped her gain confidence and come out of her shell. "DWTS really made me feel confident, and has given me a lot of just self-worth within myself and realizing that I don't need a man to be successful and that I could do a lot on my own, and have my own voice and have my own opinion."
While overcoming an abusive past wasn't easy, it helped Buke connect with another survivor, DWTS contestant Jana Kramer, who recently opened up about the domestic abuse she suffered during her first marriage.
"I went through child abuse and I also went through abuse with dating a couple of boyfriends in high school. I also have gone through a divorce. My mom and dad are divorced, so I understand," Burke said. "I feel her pain."
"I've gone through similar situations that she has gone through and I mean -- we haven't talked about it -- but I also just know. I can feel that we would connect great," she confessed. "It's difficult, but I'm so happy and I saw her grow on this show. This show is for redemption, it's to make you feel secure in your own skin again."
WATCH: Jana Kramer Breaks Down on 'Good Morning America' About Her Abusive First Marriage
The redemption that she and Kramer have experienced has also extended to Burke's partner this season, Ryan Lochte, who worked hard to overcome backlash from the Rio Olympics scandal.
"After the protesters came like the first show, you know, we really had a roller coaster ride of emotions," Burke described. "He definitely pushed himself. He said, 'This is harder than training for the Olympics.'"
"I had never met him prior to the show, but I was like, 'If I could try and change someone's life and it's bigger -- and it's beyond what DWTS is all about -- then for me, that is the reason to come back, because I really wanted to change people's perception on Ryan."
As for whether she'll be back next season, Burke says it's still up in the air.
"That's a question mark, if I'm coming back, but we'll see what happens," she said. "They'll always be my family."
"I would be very open to being a judge," Burke offered. "I think now that most of my OG friends when we started the show, they're gone, I think it would be a lot easier for me to judge . It's really hard for me to beat around the bush or lie, so sometimes the truth hurts."
The two-part season finale of Dancing With the Stars airs on Monday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. ET and Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 9 p.m. ET.