Julianne Hough.

Julianne Alexandra Hough

Born 20 Jul 1988 Salt Lake City, United States

Citizenship United States

Age 38 yr Today

12 min read

Reading time

2,206

Words

Oct 10, 2026

Published

TL;DR

Julianne Hough born July 20, 1988 became the youngest pro to win Dancing With the Stars twice, in seasons 4 and 5. She moved to acting in Burlesque 2010 and the Footloose remake 2011, and her 2008 country album hit #1. She co-hosts Dancing With the Stars, launched KINRGY in 2020, and published Everything We Never Knew in 2024.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Julianne Hough — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Julianne Alexandra Hough

Nicknames Jules

Parents: Bruce Robert Hough
Spouses: Brooks Laich
Siblings: Derek Hough

At a glance.

STATS

Julianne Hough by the numbers — life, work, and family.

38 Age

1 Marriage

Who is Julianne Hough?

BIOGRAPHY

Julianne Hough — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Julianne Hough performed with her siblings as The Blond Osmonds, nurtured by her mother’s enrollment in performing arts courses. The youngest of five children, she was born on July 20, 1988 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Bruce Robert Hough and Marriann Nelson. Her ancestry includes English, Dutch, French-Canadian, German, Swiss-German, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Danish, Swedish, and French roots. She attended Alta High School, Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, where she served as head girl.

Career

Winning Dancing With the Stars twice as the youngest pro, Julianne Hough first partnered with Apolo Ohno in season 4 2007 and then Helio Castroneves in season 5 2007. She moved into acting with roles in Burlesque 2010 opposite Cher, the Footloose remake 2011, Rock of Ages 2012, Safe Haven 2013, and Diablo Cody’s Paradise 2013. She played Sandy in FOX’s Emmy-winning Grease Live! 2016 and made her Broadway debut in POTUS 2022. In 2026, she will star in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride. Her self-titled 2008 country album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country chart and earned her two Academy of Country Music Awards. She returned to Dancing With the Stars as a judge from 2014 to 2017 and became co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro starting in 2023. In 2020, she launched KINRGY, a movement and wellness platform that opened a flagship studio in West Hollywood in 2024. She co-founded Ovation, a dance convention and competition, set to launch in 2026.

Personal life

Julianne Hough married professional hockey player Brooks Laich on July 8, 2017 near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho after a 23-month engagement. They separated in 2020 and divorced in 2022. She dated Ryan Seacrest from June 2010 to March 2013. She remains close with her brother Derek Hough, sister-in-law Hayley Erbert, and her 15 nieces and nephews. In 2015, she purchased a home in North Idaho for $8 million.

Legacy

Julianne Hough set the record as the youngest pro to win Dancing With the Stars twice, a feat that boosted the show’s popularity. Her move from ballroom to Hollywood showed the versatility of trained dancers in mainstream media. Through KINRGY, she promoted movement as a form of self-expression and wellness, building a global community and opening a flagship studio in 2024. Her 2008 country album topped charts and won two ACM awards, and her 2024 novel Everything We Never Knew became a national bestseller. She mentors young performers through Ovation, launching in 2026. She transformed dance entertainment and succeeded as a dancer, actress, and author.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 35

A wall of memorable lines from Julianne Hough — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I Think It’s Important to Be Happy Before You Can Make Anybody Else Happy.
Adrenaline Is the Reason I Do What I Do.
I Had a Hard Time with Bullying. I Ate Lunch in the Bathroom.
I Try to Bring My Mascara Everywhere Because I’m a Blonde and You Know Blondes Have Really Light Eyelashes, You Always Wanna Put More and More on ‘Til They Look Like Spiders, That’s Just What I Do.
I Think Every Girl Needs to Love Herself, Regardless of Anything. Like If You’re Having a Bad Day, If You Don’t Like Your Hair, If You Don’t Have the Best Family Situation, Whatever, You Have to Love Yourself and You Can’t Do Anything Until You Love Yourself First.
It’s the Oddest Match: Mary J. Blige and Julianne Hough! but We Became so Close.
I’ve Always Wanted to Sing Country Music.
There Was a Time When My Mom Would Sew Costumes for the Dance Studio so We Could Keep Doing Our Classes Because We Couldn’t Afford Them.
Sometimes, If I Have a Big Enough Purse, I’ll Bring My Perfume or Something. Right Now, I Really Like Beaute, It’s by Johan B. and It’s Really Nice, so I Like That.
I’m Very Blessed and I Don’t Take Anything for Granted.
I’ve Always Had God, but Now I Want to Go Back to Church for the Sense of Community and That Feeling of Positive Thinking, a Place Where I Can Think About Being a Better Person.
I’m so Lucky That I Have a Great Relationship.
I’m Just Taking It One Day at a Time. Actually, That’s a Total Lie. I Always Think About What’s in Front of Me.
I’ve Grown up with Country Music. I Love How Real Everybody Is, Not Just the Artists, but the Fans.
There Is Something so Rewarding About Dancing. It’s Almost Spiritual – You Let Loose, You Feel Free, You Get Endorphins from the Exercise.
I Think at the End of the Day You Have to Find a Balance with What’s Really Important.
Acting Is Like Free Therapy! Trying to Make People Laugh or Cry Can Be Inspiring.
I Definitely Listened to Country Music. I Don’t Think I Listened to Hair Bands as Much as I Did Bruce Springsteen and U2 and Aerosmith.
You Have to Remember Where You Came From, and I Definitely Have Enough Brothers and Sisters to Kick Me in the Butt Whenever I Get Out of Line!
I Cannot Go to Sleep Without Reading.
Dancing and Acting Satisfy Me in Different Ways.
I’d Get Invited to Parties, and Instead It Would Be These Abandoned Houses.
But Trust Me, If I Lived in the ’80S, I Would Definitely Be the One Going to the Record Stores.
I Think If You Alienate People and Just Focus on Your Work Then It Just Becomes Lonely and It’s Not Fun Anymore.
If I Had Been Living Through the ’80S, I Probably Would’ve Gotten into a Lot More Trouble Than My Parents.
I’ve Experienced a Lot for Someone My Age That a Lot of People Will Be Able to Relate To.
I’m a Chatterbox.
I’ve Always Wanted to Be Like the Hollywood Golden Age Actors.
Okay, I’ll Say I Would Go Back in Time and Bring Scientists with Me and Create a Hairspray That Would Not Cause Global Warming. but It Would Still Give Us ’80S Hair.
Well, I Was in the Generation of CDs, so When I Moved to L.A., I Think I Probably Brought My Shania Twain Come on Over CD and That’s About It.
Well, What I Love About ’80S Rock Music Is the Amazing, Fantastic Melodies.
My Go-to Prebikini Flat-ab Move Is the Plank, All Different Types.
I Totally Think There Was a Country Hair Phase. If You Look at All the Mullets, and Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire’s Hair, Tim McGraw’s Hair, Blake Shelton’s Hair, They Definitely Had Their Moments.
I’m Real, and That What You See Is What You Get with Me. I Want People to Know That I’m Just Julianne. I’m Not Somebody That Needs to Be Put up on a Pedestal.
I Knew If I Stayed in London, My Whole Life Would Be Dancing. I’d Won Almost Every Major Title You Can. I Thought This Really Isn’t My Passion. I Really Want to Sing, and I Knew I Wouldn’t Be Able to If I Stayed There.

Did you know?

FACTS · 21

Little-known facts about Julianne Hough — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

She is a country music singer and professional dancer.
With partner Apolo Ohno, she won Dancing with the Stars Season 4.
Julianne was head girl at the Italia Conti Academy.
One of her idols is Dolly Parton.
With partner Helio Castroneves, she won Dancing with the Stars Season 5.
She dated Ryan Seacrest from June 2010 to March 2013.
Her last name is pronounced Huff.
She has English, Dutch, French-Canadian, German, Swiss-German, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Danish, Swedish, and French ancestry.
Julianne is the fifth and youngest child of her parents’ marriage, with siblings Sharee, Marabeth, Katherine, and Derek Hough. They also have 9 stepsiblings from their parents’ second marriages.
She signed a record deal with Universal Music Group in early 2008.
In the summer of 2015, she bought a house for $8 million in North Idaho.
Ranked #30 on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 Women of 2008 list.
She is a cousin of Lorien Hough-Cord and second cousin of Ross Lynch, Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch, Ryland Lynch, and Rydel Lynch.
Married Brooks Laich on July 8, 2017 near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho after a 23-month engagement.
Got engaged to Brooks Laich on August 18, 2015.
Has 15 nieces and nephews: Paris, Willow, Skye, Star, Bronson, Max, Griffin, Evelyn, Hayden, Tyler, Latelyn, AR, Quaid Wise, Aidan Poole, and Ariana Phillips.
Was eliminated in season 6 on Dancing with the Stars with Adam Carolla.
Placed fourth in season 6 on Dancing with the Stars with Cody Linley.
Niece of John Hough and Tina Hough, owners of the Roosevelt Hotel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Daughter of Marriann Nelson and Bruce Robert Hough.
Sister-in-law of Hayley Erbert.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 31

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Julianne Hough.

When was Julianne Hough born?

Julianne Hough was born on July 20, 1988. She is currently 37 years old.
Where was Julianne Hough born?

She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. She grew up in a family of performers.
What is Julianne Hough's real name?

Her full birth name is Julianne Alexandra Hough. She often goes by the nickname Jules.
What does Julianne Hough do for a living?

Julianne Hough is a producer and actor. She is also a dancer, singer, author, and entrepreneur.
What nationality is Julianne Hough?

She is an American citizen. She was born in the United States and holds American nationality.
What language does Julianne Hough speak?

Her native language is English. She speaks English fluently.
Who are Julianne Hough's parents?

Her parents are Bruce Robert Hough and Marriann Nelson. Her father is a former chairman of the Utah Republican Party.
Who is Julianne Hough married to?

Julianne Hough was married to professional ice hockey player Brooks Laich. They married in July 2017 and divorced in 2022.
Does Julianne Hough have any siblings?

Yes, she has four siblings: older sisters Sharee, Marabeth, and Katherine, and older brother Derek Hough, who is also a professional dancer.
Where did Julianne Hough go to school?

She attended Alta High School in Utah, the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, where she was head girl.
What is Julianne Hough best known for?

She is best known for winning Dancing with the Stars twice as a professional dancer, and later as a judge and co-host on the show. She also acted in films like Footloose and Burlesque.
What is Julianne Hough's Instagram handle?

Her Instagram handle is @juleshough. She often posts about dance, fitness, and her personal life.
How tall is Julianne Hough?

She is 5 feet 3 inches 1.60 meters tall. Her height is often noted in the entertainment industry.
What is the meaning behind Julianne Hough's nickname 'Jules'?

Jules is a common nickname for Julianne. Friends and family use it as a shortened, affectionate form of her first name.
How old is Julianne Hough?

Born on July 20, 1988, Julianne Hough is currently 37 years old as of 2025.
What is Julianne Hough's birth name?

Her birth name is Julianne Alexandra Hough. She was given the middle name Alexandra at birth.
Is Julianne Hough married?

She was married to Brooks Laich from July 8, 2017 to February 22, 2022. They divorced after nearly five years of marriage.
Does Julianne Hough have siblings?

Yes, she has four siblings: Sharee Hough, Marabeth Hough Poole, Katherine Hough, and Derek Hough. Derek is also a well-known dancer.
Who are Julianne Hough's relatives?

Her aunt and uncle are Tina Hough and John Hough, who own the Roosevelt Hotel in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She is also second cousin to the R5 band members.
How many awards has Julianne Hough won?

She has won 6 awards, including two Academy of Country Music Awards for Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Artist. She also won an Emmy for Grease Live!.
How many award nominations has Julianne Hough received?

Julianne Hough has received 13 award nominations throughout her career in dance, music, and acting.
What movies has Julianne Hough starred in?

She has starred in Burlesque 2010, Footloose 2011, Rock of Ages 2012, Safe Haven 2013, and Dirty Grandpa 2016. She will appear in The Bride 2026.
Did Julianne Hough win Dancing with the Stars?

Yes, she won twice: first with Apolo Ohno in season 4 and then with Helio Castroneves in season 5. She is the youngest pro to win two seasons.
What is KINRGY?

KINRGY is a movement and wellness platform launched by Julianne Hough in 2020. It combines dance, energy work, and choreography to promote self-expression.
Has Julianne Hough written a book?

Yes, she co-wrote the novel Everything We Never Knew with Ellen Goodlett, published in 2024. It became a national bestseller.
What is Ovation?

Ovation is a dance convention and competition co-founded by Julianne Hough and her brother Derek Hough. It will launch in 2026 and tour major U.S. cities.
What is Julianne Hough's music career?

Her self-titled debut country album in 2008 reached #1 on the Billboard Country chart. She won two ACM Awards and plans to release new music in 2026.
Is Julianne Hough on Broadway?

She made her Broadway debut in 2022 in the political comedy POTUS by Selina Fillinger. The play ran for a limited engagement.
What is Julianne Hough's role on Dancing with the Stars now?

She serves as co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, starting in 2023. She previously was a judge from 2014 to 2017.
Who is Derek Hough to Julianne Hough?

Derek Hough is her older brother. Both are professional dancers and have appeared together on Dancing with the Stars.
What is Julianne Hough's ancestry?

She has English, Dutch, French-Canadian, German, Swiss-German, Scots-Irish, Scottish, Danish, Swedish, and French ancestry.

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Audited & updated by

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Published on October 10, 2026

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