Derek and Julianne Hough on How Their Tough Childhoods Shaped Them
(Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Siblings Derek and Julianne Hough found fame on the dance floor through ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” but it did not come without sacrifices.
When Julianne was just 10 and Derek, 13, the siblings left their sheltered home in Utah, along with three older sisters and their divorcing parents, to train as ballroom dance pros at the prestigious London dance school Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
They moved in with family friends Shirley and Corky Ballas, whose son Mark Ballas also became a “DWTS” pro, and were forced to grow up fast.
How ‘DWTS’ Champion Derek Hough Is Using Dancing to his Advantage
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/Derek-Julianne-Hough-their-bro-sis-relationship-082923-tout-0d35ab582b124e44ac1988b940549f15.jpg)
Leaving the house every morning at 6:45, they would have to take the subway by themselves to get to school.
“I remember one of my first days there I got off at the wrong train station,” Julianne, 25, recalled in the latest issue of People. “I was just standing there thinking, ‘Where am I?’”
Julianne especially struggled with being so young in the mature world of ballroom dance. In 2013, she told Cosmopolitan that the adults around her took advantage of her because she was separated from her parents.
Julianne Hough and Other Stars Who’ve Spoken Out About Abuse
“I was 10 years old looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer,” she told Cosmo. “I was a tormented little kid who had to put on this sexy facade because that was my job and my life. But my heart was the same, and I was this innocent little girl.”
Today, the dancer-turned-actress and her brother, 29, attribute their success to the sacrifices they made then.
“People will say, ‘How could your parents let you go off to do that?’” Derek, the current “DWTS” champion, told People. “I think it’s great that they saw an amazing opportunity. That is the reason we are here today.”
The siblings are currently selling out performances on their nationwide Move Live on Tour.
News
She came in as the sweetheart — but she left the floor a powerhouse. When Bindi Irwin teamed up with Derek Hough for a Tango set to AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long,” no one expected what came next. With fire in her steps and rock ‘n’ roll in her soul, Bindi didn’t just keep up—she conquered. The crowd roared. The judges fumbled for words. And in that high-voltage moment, the wildlife warrior’s daughter proved she wasn’t just dancing for scores — she was dancing for legacy, for joy, and for every woman who’s ever been underestimated.
Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough Bring Rock-Infused Fire to the Ballroom with Electrifying Tango on DWTS Week 2 It was…
SHOCKING REVEAL: DWTS star Derek Hough’s wife, Hayley, shows the massive scar left from her emergency brain surgery — and fans are stunned. In an emotional update, Hayley calls it a “life-changing year” and says she’s just grateful to be alive. The raw photo and heartfelt message are sparking a wave of support across the dance world. You won’t believe what she’s been through… and how strong she is now.
DWTS’ Derek Hough’s wife Hayley reveals massive head scar after brain surgery as she opens up about ‘life-changing’ year ‘You…
“THE INTERNET EXPLODES!” – Carrie Ann Inaba, former legendary judge of Dancing with the Stars, shocks fans by announcing her first pregnancy at 57! The unexpected revelation has left global fans stunned and deeply moved. The strong, radiant woman who once lit up the dance floor is now entering a brand-new chapter — motherhood! Hollywood stars and audiences alike are flooding her with heartfelt congratulations, calling it a “miracle gift” Inaba herself once believed was out of reach. What made this miracle possible? The emotional story behind it is leaving everyone in tears!
Carrie Ann Inaba’s Miracle Pregnancy at 57 Stuns Fans and Hollywood Alike: “I Thought This Dream Was Gone” In a…
Derek and Julianne Hough Return to the Stage—But This Time, on Ice: A Dazzling Tribute to Torvill & Dean’s “Mack & Mabel” Leaves Legends Speechless
In a move no one saw coming, Derek and Julianne Hough—America’s most beloved dancing siblings—took a breathtaking leap into uncharted…
GMA’ Kelly Ripa dropped a hot news update about her son Michael: ‘He’s in a relationship, and his partner is a famous actor.’
GMA’s Kelly Ripa Dropped a Hot News Update About Her Son Michael: ‘He’s in a Relationship, and His Partner is…
Karoline Leavitt Issues Bold Ultimatum to Kelly Ripa: “Quit The View If You Won’t Listen” — A Blunt Warning About Professional Boundaries
In a dramatic and unexpected development, Karoline Leavitt—a rising conservative firebrand and outspoken defender of traditional values—has issued a sharp…
End of content
No more pages to load
