Cheryl Burke's return to Dancing with the Stars this season after a hiatus was everything she hoped it would be thanks to her celebrity partner Ryan Lochte.

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"After all the seasons, 19 partners, I have to say, you're Top 5, Ryan Lochte," Burke said during the pair's Tuesday appearance on Good Morning America, which followed their elimination from DWTS on Monday night's episode. "Top 5, yes. You were awesome to work with."

Despite landing towards the bottom of the judges' leaderboard week to week, Burke said her time with Lochte on Season 23 was "amazing."

"It was really nice to get to know 'the real Ryan Lochte.' And for me, it was a great experience to be back after three seasons off," the longtime DWTS pro explained.

"For me, it's more than about teaching someone how to cha cha. If I can actually help somebody with whatever they're going through, then I'm here. This is awesome and it means more than anything."

Lochte confessed he joined the Dancing with the Stars cast when he was at an all-time low in his life. He was fresh off the Summer Olympics scandal in which he fabricated a story about being robbed at gunpoint in Rio.

It's probably safe to say America was disgusted with Lochte's behavior, which resulted in a 10-month suspension by the United States Olympic Committee and USA Swimming and the loss of numerous high-paying sponsors.

Even Lochte's Dancing with the Stars debut was tarnished by two male protesters rushing the ballroom floor.

"No matter how hard I get knocked down, I can still get up and keep fighting, just keep moving and stay positive," Lochte said on GMA. "And I had [Cheryl] to help me with that because I did get knocked down. I was at the lowest point of my life, but I'm here and I lasted until Week 8."

On a lighter note, Lochte revealed he would love Burke to choreograph his wedding dance.

"I told him, I said, 'You have 10 dances I've taught you. You could mix it up a little,'" Burke recalled.

"Well, you've got to choreograph something for it!" Lochte pushed.

"I will, Ryan. I will. Just give me, like, a month off," the pro dancer said with a laugh.

Lochte became engaged to his fiancee Kayla Rae Reid last month.

"When's the wedding? Well, we haven't really decided yet because I've been on this show becoming a dancer! So I haven't really had time [off]," Lochte explained.

As for which celebrities have what it takes to win this season's mirrorball trophy, Burke guessed Laurie Hernandez and James Hinchcliffe. Lochte agreed Hinchcliffe will probably win.

The couple, however, noted that Calvin Johnson Jr is the "dark horse" on the show, so he shouldn't be ruled out.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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