Nearly three years after their divorce was finalised, actor Matthew Lawrence has chosen to speak publicly for the first time about his split from former Dancing with the Stars professional Cheryl Burke. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, the 45-year-old explained his prolonged silence, contrasting with Burke's open discussions about their marriage breakdown.
Navigating Divorce in the Public Eye
Lawrence, known for roles in Boy Meets World and Mrs. Doubtfire, described the unique challenge of experiencing personal turmoil under public scrutiny. "That's one of the interesting things about when you choose to be in a career like this is that your private life is public," he stated. He emphasised the difficulty when control over the narrative is lost, adding, "Especially when you don't really have control of the narrative or if the narrative isn't even true."
His approach was to focus on moving forward privately. "You kind of just have to say, 'Well, I'm going to have to just go on with my life... And the people that I care about know what's real and what's not.'" He admitted the process required developing a "thick skin." This stance differed from Burke's, who on her I Do, Part 2 podcast in October confessed she still sometimes grieves the end of their marriage, which lasted from May 2019 until she filed for divorce in February 2022.
Reflections on the Marriage and Moving On
While Lawrence largely refrained from comment, Burke has previously suggested potential reasons for their split. In 2023, she speculated that her role as the primary breadwinner while starring on DWTS may have created tension, touching on traditional gender roles. She also cited growing apart, differing priorities, and life goals, despite attempts at couples therapy.
For his part, Lawrence acknowledged to Entertainment Tonight that the divorce had "tested" him, but he focused on personal growth. "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," he reflected.
His life took a new romantic turn in 2022 when he began a relationship with Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, the 54-year-old Grammy-winning singer from the iconic R&B group TLC. The pair met at a 90's convention, starting as friends before their connection deepened. They were first spotted together publicly on a holiday in Hawaii in August 2022.
A 'Second Chance' at Love and a New Project
Now, Lawrence and Chilli are stepping into the spotlight together professionally, but on their own terms. They are co-hosting a new reality dating series for Hallmark+ titled Second Chance Love, which premieres on 1st January. The show follows five former couples who reunite in Sardinia, Italy, to see if their past spark can reignite.
The couple were drawn to the concept, not least because the focus remains off their own relationship. "It wasn't about our relationship or doing a reality show about us. That was not going to be cool for us," Lawrence told the Daily Mail. Chilli echoed this sentiment, firmly stating they would "never ever" want a reality series based on their private lives.
Looking ahead, Chilli is concentrating on TLC's upcoming Farewell Tour, which she anticipates could span two to three years, and the forthcoming CrazySexyCool: The TLC Musical set to debut in Washington, D.C., in June 2026. Meanwhile, Lawrence continues his acting career, with Chilli offering her full support for his future projects.
