Professional dancer Cheryl Burke has won two consecutive mirrorball trophies on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. She’s taken her success on the show and has begun to build her own brand, starting with her own dance studio appropriately called Cheryl Burke Dance. She’s also an avid participant in the “Great American Try On,” where she tried on Depend Silhouette for Women in order to support Dress for Success, an organization that seeks to empower women and give them confidence. She also recently released her autobiography, which she hopes will give fans a more in-depth glimpse of who she really is. TheCelebrityCafe.com’s Sari N. Kent got the chance to speak with Cheryl about her involvement with the “Great American Try On,” working with comedian D.L. Hughley on this season’s Dancing with the Stars, her autobiography and her dance studio.

SNK: You just joined year two of the “Great American Try On” by trying on Depend Silhouette for Women. Can you tell me more about the campaign and your involvement with it?

CB: It was important for me to give back. It was for the charity “Dress for Success,” that I tried on the Depend and we raised $50,000 for the charity and it really empowers women to have confidence in themselves and that’s really what I’m all about.

SNK: The finale of Season 16 of Dancing with the Stars happened on Tuesday with Derek Hough and Kelly Pickler being crowned the champions. Your partner this season was comedian D.L. Hughley. Could you tell me what it was like working with him?

CB: D.L. Hughley was the first comedian I’ve ever had so we had a lot of fun together, but unfortunately, he didn’t have a lot of rhythm. So, there was only so much I could do but I was actually surprised we made it to Week 5, which showed how many people were voting for us and our fans, who we were very thankful for. We got along great and that’s all that really matters. He admitted himself that he didn’t have any rhythm so we tried our best.

SNK: I just want to tell you, I’m a huge fan of the show. My favorite dances ever were yours and Drew Lachey’s Season 2 Freestyle to the song “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” and yours and Gilles Marini’s Season 8 Argentine Tango. Do you have any favorite dances you can recall after your 15 seasons on the show?

CB: I think you nailed the two. Those are definitely the most memorable. Emmitt [Smith, who Cheryl won her second mirrorball trophy with on Season 3] and I did the samba and the last dance we did together was also one of my favorites.

SNK: You began taking ballet lessons at the age of four and have been competing since you were 13. When you began ballroom dancing you decided to change your focus. What made you decide to do that?

CB: My mom and dad at the time were doing ballroom dancing, just for fun. I came to watch one of their classes and I saw kids my age dancing and I loved the dancing, I loved how you were being partnered with someone. I felt there was something I needed to change that’s why I went from ballet to ballroom.

SNK: You’ve competed on the professional level and won several Latin championships. What are the differences and/or similarities between competing on the professional level and competing on Dancing with the Stars?

CB: It’s completely different. Obviously, when you’re competing on the professional level, you’re at your maximum, you train with someone who is equally good if not better than you and you’re training with a coach. On the show, we are their coach and we’re dancing with someone who has little to no experience so we can’t dance so well. You’re trying to turn a non-dancer into a dancer so it’s really two different worlds. It’s a completely different experience.

SNK: In 2011, you released your autobiography titled, Dancing Lessons: How I Found Passion and Potential on the Dance Floor and in Life. How did you come to the decision to write an autobiography?

CB: I just felt I wanted to share my story with my fans. I think there’s only so much you can see from the show, that’s just fraction of who I am. I wanted share my story with my fans and those who have been in similar situations. I wanted to inspire women to have confidence and that’s why I’m doing the campaign as well. [“The Great American Try On.”]

SNK: You’ve done some acting such as your guest spot on the Disney Channel’s The Suite Life of Zach and Cody. What made you decide to try your hand at acting and do you think you may want to pursue more acting roles in the future?

CB: That was something that was offered to me after season 2 with Drew Lachey. I thought it would be something fun to get myself into but I’m not getting myself into acting. I’m focusing more on my brand and my dance studio.

SNK: As you just mentioned, following your success on Dancing with the Stars you opened your own dance studio, Cheryl Burke Dance. How’s the turnout been?

CB: It’s been doing great. We have one studio right now, in the Bay Area. My mom is actually CEO of Cheryl Burke Dance, which helps me out a lot and I’ll be there a lot this summer, doing classes and signing fans’ autographs, doing Q & A’s, stuff like that. You can go to my web site, cherylburkedance.com for more info.

SNK: Is there anything you’d like to add?

CB: Yes, for more information on Depend you can go to thegreatamericantryon.com.