
Cheryl Burke loves being celibate after Matthew Lawrence divorce: ‘I touch myself all the time'
The 41-year-old recently opened up about the intimate part of life following her divorce from Matthew Lawrence in 2022.
'I need to heal still in that sense,' Burke told Us Weekly.
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9 Cheryl Burke attends Elton John AIDS Foundation's 33rd Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party in 2025.
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The pair first met in 2006 and began a romance that lasted two years. After going their separate ways, Burke and Lawrence, 45, reunited in 2017. They got engaged in 2018 and tied the knot a year later.
The former 'Dancing With the Stars' pro said about being the breadwinner: 'I learned that you can't buy love.'
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Now, being single has been a positive for Burke.
'I touch myself all the time,' she admitted. 'It's great. We are good to go. There's no emotional baggage that comes with it.'
9 Cheryl Burke poses for a selfie.
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9 Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence attend the 25th Annual Race To Erase MS Gala.
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9 Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke front row at TART Spring 2008 collection.
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Last year, Burke opened up about her choice to be celibate.
The decision has led to 'a lot more self-love and self-respect and self-worth,' she told Us at the time.
'I love that I've grown so much and that I'm doing it consciously and with an intention,' the podcast host shared, noting that other people act like she's 'speaking a different language' when she brings up her celibacy.
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'I am on that Mya train,' Burke said, referring to the Grammy-winning singer, 45, who also revealed she had been celibate for seven years. 'Go, Mya.'
As of now, the author isn't looking to dive back into love.
9 Matthew Lawrence and Cheryl Burke.
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9 Matthew Lawrence and girlfriend and Rozanda Thomas.
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9 Cheryl Burke and Drew Lachey on 'DWTS.'
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'It will happen when it happens,' elaborated Burke. 'When my energy shifts, then I know if it does happen, I'm ready. I'm not in a rush.'
The ballroom star filed for divorce from the 'Boy Meets World' vet in February 2022 after nearly three years of marriage.
Lawrence is now in a relationship with TLC's Chili.
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In 2023, Burke explained just what led to the downfall of their marriage.
'There's boundaries, right? Like, I have boundaries. All of that got kind of, I guess, foggy because I didn't really know who I was as a person,' she told The Post at the time. 'But I did know that even back then, that this just doesn't feel right. It didn't feel right. I knew that this wasn't [right], whether it's because of me evolving or him evolving or us evolving, but not together. It was important to, first of all, try, which we did.'
Burke claimed she and Lawrence 'did it all' to make their relationship work.
9 Cheryl Burke and Matthew Lawrence attend the RIDE Foundation's 2nd Annual Dance For Freedom held at The Broad Stage.
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9 Cheryl Burke on 'DWTS.'
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'We did try. We were in therapy,' she detailed. 'You know what? This isn't what it was. And to walk away with no shame and to walk away with my head held up high was something that I'm proud of to this day. Because it's not ever fun to say that you're divorced in your thirties and I'm not the cookie-cutter social norm when it comes to married [with] kids and happily ever after.'
Burke added, 'It's just — that's not my story and that's okay. And I think being able to forgive myself and to just go with my gut and trust myself is a really big step for me.'
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Lawrence, for his part, shared with Entertainment Tonight in 2023 that the divorce 'tested' him.
'And I learned so much about myself, and I'm so thankful and blessed for the opportunity to grow and that's what came out of it,' the actor told the outlet.
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New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Kelly Clarkson ‘devastated' for her children after ex-husband Brandon Blackstock's death
Kelly Clarkson's top priority is her kids after her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock's death. The 'Since U Been Gone' singer, 43, has 'been devastated' for her daughter, River, 11, and son Remington, 9, whom she shared with Blackstock, ever since their father was diagnosed with cancer over three years ago. The talent manager died on Thursday, August 7, at age 48, following a yearslong private battle with melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer. 14 Kelly Clarkson's ex-husband Brandon Blackstock died on August 7 after a private cancer battle. Instagram/@kellyclarkson 14 He was the father of her two children: River, 11, and son Remington, 9. Instagram/@kellyclarkson 'When she found out that he was sick, she remained protective of him for their sake,' a source told People after Blackstock's passing. 'Kelly has always tried to keep things classy. It became clear earlier this year that Brandon was not doing well. She's been devastated for the kids,' they added. Clarkson married Blackstock in 2013. The Grammy winner filed for divorce in 2020 after seven years of marriage. Following a two-year battle, which had several ups and downs, Clarkson and Blackstock settled their divorce in 2022. 14 Kelly Clarkson's kids are her top priority, with insiders saying she's 'devastated' for them. WireImage 14 'But she always wanted her kids to have the best relationship possible with their dad. She never spoke poorly about Brandon to the kids,' an insider said. kellyclarkson/Instagram While the insider acknowledged that their divorce 'was incredibly difficult for her,' they stressed the significance of Clarkson wanting her children to remain close with their father. Calling the split and legal battle 'messy, painful and something she felt terrible about,' the source added, 'But she always wanted her kids to have the best relationship possible with their dad. She never spoke poorly about Brandon to the kids.' In 2023, the singer-songwriter got candid about co-parenting, noting that her children's happiness has always been her main concern. 14 Brandon Blackstock with their two kids. Instagram/@kellyclarkson 14 The 'Since U Been Gone' singer has opened up about co-parenting several times. Instagram/@kellyclarkson 'I ask my kids every night when we're snuggling and I put them to bed, 'Are you happy? And if you're not, what could make you happier?'' Clarkson said on Angie Martinez's 'IRL' podcast. 'Especially the past two years … it kills me [but] I want them to be honest so I don't ever say, 'Oh God, don't tell me that,' but a lot of times it would be like, 'I'm just really sad. I wish Mommy and Daddy were in the same house.' They're really honest about it. I'm raising that kind of individual.' The 'Breakaway' singer continued, 'I just sit there and I'm like, 'I get it. I'm from a divorced family as well. I get it. That sucks. But we're going to work it out. And you are so loved by both of us.'' Blackstock's loved ones announced his death on Thursday, just hours after Clarkson abruptly canceled the remaining August shows of her Las Vegas residency, Studio Sessions. 14 Blackstock's death comes hours after Clarkson canceled the remaining August shows of her Las Vegas residency. Getty Images 14 The pair married in 2013, and she filed for divorce in 2020. FilmMagic 'It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away. Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years,' his family said in a statement obtained by The Post. 'He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family's privacy during this very difficult time,' they added. 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YouTube/@kellyclarksonshow Clarkson has been noticeably absent from her duties this year, with speculation about her personal life swirling after she missed 10 episodes of her talk show, 'The Kelly Clarkson Show,' in March. Sources later confirmed to Page Six about Blackstock's secret cancer battle, revealing that his ex had been pulling double duty behind the scenes, caring for him. 'It's been exhausting and so sad,' a source told Page Six. 'Kelly has been working so hard, as well as looking after Brandon. Despite their difficult divorce, he's still the man she loved and still her kids' father.' 14 Sources told Page Six that Clarkson had been taking care of Blackstock at the end of his life. kellyclarkson/Instagram The 'American Idol' winner met her ex while rehearsing for the Academy of Country Music Awards in May 2006, when Blackstock's father, Narvel, was her manager. At the time, Blackstock was married to Melissa Ashworth. He reconnected with Clarkson in 2012, the same year his divorce was final, at the Super Bowl, where she was singing the national anthem. 14 Their divorce battle was ugly, with the two fighting over money, custody and property. AP 14 Despite their messy split, Clarkson always wanted Blackstock in their children's lives. Christopher Polk 14 Kelly Clarkson has not addressed her ex's death as of this post. Jackie Brown / The pair married in October 2013, before welcoming daughter River in June 2014 and son Remington in April 2016. Clarkson and Blackstock's divorce was contentious, with the former lovers fighting over money, custody and property. However, the battle came to an end in March 2022, when a judge granted Blackstock $115,000 per month in spousal support until January 2024. He was also awarded a monthly amount of $45,600 in child support. Besides the two children he shares with Clarkson, Blackstock leaves behind another daughter, Savannah, who's in her 20s, and son Seth, 18, both from his first marriage.


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USA Today
3 hours ago
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Brandon Blackstock may have had a behind-the-scenes role in entertainment, but his high-profile marriage to Kelly Clarkson put him in the spotlight on occasion. Blackstock, who was married to the Grammy-winning pop singer and talk-show host, died at age 48 following a battle with cancer, Blackstock's family confirmed to USA TODAY in a statement on Thursday, Aug. 7. "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away," the statement read. "Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family." The day before, Clarkson announced she would be pausing her Las Vegas residency to support the couple's children amid Blackstock's illness. Aside from his work managing some of the top acts in music, Blackstock made headlines in recent years for his contentious divorce with Clarkson, which included legal battles over parental custody, real estate property and business payments. Here's everything to know about Blackstock's life and career. What type of cancer did Brandon Blackstock have? In their statement to USA TODAY, Blackstock's family did not disclose the type of cancer that Blackstock had been battling. But the talent manager's family shared that he had been struggling with the disease for "more than three years." Brandon Blackstock dies: Ex-husband of singer Kelly Clarkson was 48 What did Brandon Blackstock do? Blackstock worked as a television producer and talent manager. He started his career in the entertainment industry under the eye of his father, Narvel Blackstock, at Starstruck Entertainment. During his time there, he helped to shape the careers of musicians like Blake Shelton and his then-wife, Clarkson. He was also the road manager for Rascal Flatts. Blackstock also served as an executive producer on Clarkson's eponymous talk show, "The Kelly Clarkson Show," for nearly 70 episodes, according to Blackstock's IMDb page. How did Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson meet? Blackstock and Clarkson met at a rehearsal for the 2006 American Country Music Awards, according to a 2013 interview with People magazine. "I've only had three other boyfriends that I dated, and not really seriously," Clarkson told the outlet at the time. "This guy walks by, making everybody laugh. I said, 'I'm gonna end up with him. I know it.' " Blackstock, who was married at the time to first wife Melissa Ashworth, later reconnected with Clarkson at the 2012 Super Bowl, where the pop star performed the national anthem. The two went out for the first time a week later. When did Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson get married? Blackstock and Clarkson married in October 2013, opting for a low-key ceremony at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, due to their busy schedules. "I'm officially Mrs. Blackstock :)" Clarkson wrote in a Twitter post at the time, which included a photo of herself and Blackstock in their newlywed attire. Did Brandon Blackstock manage Kelly Clarkson? Yes, Blackstock worked as Clarkson's manager during their marriage. Blackstock's father, Narvel Blackstock, previously managed the singer. In a September 2018 interview with Marie Claire, Clarkson reflected on how she and Blackstock navigated their professional relationship as a married couple. "Well, I think it comes down to respect," Clarkson told the outlet. "I wouldn't have hired Brandon to be my manager if I didn't see firsthand how great he is at that and how much he cares about Blake (Shelton)." She added, "He's really talented at what he does, and his mind really does work in a completely different way. I'm always like, 'Is this your manager hat?' And he'll go, 'Oh, is this your artist hat? Are we going there?' So, we're pretty good about that." Brandon Blackstock health: Kelly Clarkson postpones Vegas residency amid ex-husband's illness How old are Brandon Blackstock and Kelly Clarkson's children? Blackstock and Clarkson shared two children, daughter River and son Remington. The couple welcomed River, 11, in June 2014. Remington, 9, was born in April 2016. Blackstock also had two other children, Seth and Savannah Blackstock, from his former marriage to Ashworth, according to Blackstock's IMDb page. When did Brandon Blackstock, Kelly Clarkson divorce? After nearly seven years of marriage, Clarkson filed for divorce from Blackstock in Los Angeles court in June 2020, The Associated Press reported at the time. Clarkson cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split and requested that she not be required to pay Blackstock spousal support. Clarkson was awarded primary physical custody of the couple's children, daughter River and son Remington, in November 2020, although the former spouses shared joint physical and legal custody. Court documents also noted that "the level of conflict between the parents has increased," and "the parties have a difficult time coparenting due to issues of trust between them." Parental custody wasn't the only legal battle between Blackstock and Clarkson. In January 2022, the former couple settled on their Montana ranch after Blackstock contested that the residence was marital property, with Blackstock retaining a 5% share. In November 2023, Blackstock was reportedly ordered by a California labor commissioner to repay Clarkson over $2.6 million in commissions for past business deals he procured for Clarkson as her manager, according to People magazine and Billboard. What has Kelly Clarkson said about Brandon Blackstock divorce? Clarkson opened up to USA TODAY in a June 2023 interview about how the emotional turbulence of her divorce from Blackstock inspired her most recent album, "Chemistry." "I know a lot of people have gone through grief or a big tragedy like a divorce, and I know it's a common thing, unfortunately," Clarkson said. "But there's nothing common when you're going through it. It's very foreign, it's horrible. A lot of time stupid, stupid (stuff) gets said and you just can't believe it. I was angry and really hurt." Was Brandon Blackstock related to Reba McEntire? Blackstock's father, Narvel Blackstock, was married to country music icon Reba McEntire from 1989 to 2015, making McEntire Blackstock's former stepmother. The talent manager's younger half-brother, race car driver Shelby Blackstock, was born in 1990 and is the son of Narvel and Reba's marriage. Contributing: Jay Stahl, Gary Dinges, Melissa Ruggieri, Charles Trepany and Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY; Joyce Orlando, USA TODAY Network