Ashley Dupré, influencer Alix Earle’s stepmother, has publicly apologized to former Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke after making an offensive comment about her appearance during the show’s Oct. 28 episode. The remark, which referenced the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic, quickly sparked backlash online and prompted Dupré to address the issue directly on social media.

The Incident: Dupré Reacts to Cheryl Burke’s Score

During an Instagram Story reaction video, Ashley Dupré and her children watched Alix Earle’s Halloween-themed tango routine on Dancing with the Stars, performed alongside partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy to Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend.” While the dance impressed most of the judging panel — with Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli all giving perfect 10s — Cheryl Burke, acting as a guest judge, awarded a 9.

In response to Burke’s score, Dupré said on camera:

“Oh, go take more Ozempic.”
After one of her children repeated the line, Dupré doubled down, adding:
“What? She looks weird. Doesn’t even look like her.”

The jibe referenced Cheryl Burke’s recent weight loss, which she has attributed to a strict wellness routine including intermittent fasting and exercise — not Ozempic, a diabetes medication often misused for rapid weight loss.

Ashley Dupré’s Public Apology

Two days later, Dupré shared a new video addressed to her followers and to Cheryl Burke.

“I just wanted to jump on here and apologize for making comments that were insensitive in the heat of the competition,” she said.
Dupré went on to explain that her protective “stepmotherly instincts” got the best of her and that her actions didn’t reflect the values she tries to instill in her children.
“I always try to pick others up. If you follow me, you know that about me, I hope. I’m sorry that my actions did not reflect that.”
She ended the video by wishing everyone a safe and “amazing” Halloween.

Cheryl Burke Responds Publicly

Cheryl Burke, known for her record-setting eleven seasons on Dancing with the Stars, responded to the incident with her own Instagram video. Without naming Dupré directly, Burke addressed the larger implications of body shaming — especially in front of impressionable children.

“For the people who think body shaming is okay, especially in front of your children, that sends a powerful message about what you value, and clearly, it’s not kindness,” Burke said.
She added:
“If that’s the example you choose to set, then please, I beg of you, leave my name out of it.”

The Larger Conversation Around Body Image

This exchange highlights a growing concern among viewers and celebrities about body shaming in the public eye, especially on high-profile platforms like Dancing with the Stars. With the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic in social discussions, public figures are often unfairly scrutinized for changes in their appearance, regardless of the reasons behind them.

Cheryl Burke previously shared that her weight loss was the result of a dedicated fitness journey and healthier lifestyle, telling PEOPLE magazine she had lost between 30 and 35 pounds through non-medical means.

Where Things Stand

The apology appears to have closed the incident for now, as fans continue to rally around both women — some praising Cheryl Burke for standing up to body shaming and others accepting Ashley Dupré’s acknowledgment of her mistake.

As the competition heats up on Dancing with the Stars, the focus now shifts back to the dance floor, where Alix Earle remains a fan favorite.

Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.