Summary (tl;dr)

Matthew Lawrence is trending due to recent public comments on his past divorce from Cheryl Burke, his current relationship with TLC's Chilli, and their new co-hosted reality dating series, "Second Chance Love," which premiered on January 1, 2026.

Essential Background

Matthew Lawrence was previously married to "Dancing with the Stars" professional dancer Cheryl Burke from 2019 until their divorce was finalized in September 2022. Burke had publicly discussed their marriage and post-divorce life several times, often citing financial tensions where she was the primary earner, while Lawrence largely remained silent on the topic until recently. Lawrence began dating TLC singer Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas in late 2022 or early 2023. In 2025, Matthew Lawrence competed on "The Masked Singer" as "Paparazzo," an experience where he faced a long-standing fear of public singing.

The Full Story

Matthew Lawrence has recently made rare public statements regarding his divorce from Cheryl Burke, nearly four years after their split, noting the challenges of having his private life scrutinized publicly. He revealed to The Daily Mail that he has had to "grow thick skin" when dealing with narratives he cannot control or that are untrue. In current news, Lawrence and his girlfriend, TLC's Chilli, are co-hosting a new reality dating series on Hallmark+ titled "Second Chance Love," which premiered on January 1, 2026. The show features five former couples who reunite in Sardinia, Italy, to explore if they can rekindle their relationships. Both Lawrence and Chilli have shared that working together on the show has strengthened their own relationship.

Why It Matters

The renewed public discussion surrounding Matthew Lawrence's past divorce offers a rare glimpse into his perspective on the challenges of celebrity relationships and public narratives. His new venture with Chilli into co-hosting "Second Chance Love" provides insight into their relationship dynamics and their foray into new entertainment formats. This trend is relevant to fans interested in the personal lives and career developments of '90s entertainment figures and the evolving landscape of reality television.

Geographic Location

• Sardinia, Italy (filming of "Second Chance Love")
• San Diego, California, United States (Matthew Lawrence's marriage to Cheryl Burke)