Before they dazzled America with flawless foxtrots and fiery sambas on Dancing with the Stars, Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, and Mark Ballas were just three teenagers navigating adolescence through music, motion, and a shared dream. Long before the bright lights of Hollywood, their journey began in humble dance studios — with worn-out shoes, hours of drills, and a bond that would one day help define the golden age of DWTS.

From Ballroom Floors to Brotherhood: A Trio Forged in London

Most fans don’t realize that the heart of Dancing with the Stars was beating in London long before the show ever hit U.S. television screens. In the late 1990s, Derek and Julianne — originally from Utah — were sent to London by their parents to train with the renowned ballroom coaches Shirley and Corky Ballas. It was a bold move, especially for Julianne, who was only 10 at the time.

It was there, in the Ballas household, that the siblings met Mark Ballas — Shirley and Corky’s son — who would become their housemate, classmate, and ultimately, creative soulmate.

“Mark was like our third sibling,” Julianne recalled in a 2013 interview. “We fought, we laughed, we grew up together.”

Dance, Discipline, and Teenage Dreams

As teenagers, the trio led lives that straddled two worlds: kids at home, but professionals in the studio. Days began with schoolwork and ended with six-hour rehearsals. They practiced their posture at the dinner table. Waltzes and cha-chas were drilled into muscle memory with discipline more intense than most adults experience.

They also shared the struggles of homesickness and pressure. Julianne once admitted that she cried herself to sleep some nights, missing her mother. Derek, the oldest, became the anchor — often encouraging both Mark and Julianne through their toughest competitions.

Their first major wins came early — Derek and Julianne each winning titles in international ballroom competitions, while Mark branched out into guitar and songwriting between dance classes. Little did they know, these seemingly divergent talents would later converge on the DWTS stage in explosive, genre-bending routines.

The Birth of DWTS Legends

When Dancing with the Stars exploded onto American screens in 2005, none of them were instant stars — but their moment was coming. Derek joined in Season 5, Julianne in Season 4, and Mark in Season 5. Together, they brought a new energy to the show: youthful, fearless, and deeply creative.

Their past as teenagers wasn’t just history — it became choreography. Derek and Mark’s futuristic paso dobles and Julianne’s emotional storytelling were rooted in years of experimentation and trust built from childhood. Viewers weren’t just seeing professionals perform — they were watching a dance family reunite on live television.

And it paid off. Combined, the trio has won Dancing with the Stars eight times (Derek with 6, Julianne with 2, and Mark with 3 wins, including his return in Season 31 with Charli D’Amelio). They’ve also choreographed Emmy-winning routines and inspired a generation of young dancers.

Rare Throwbacks and Forgotten Moments

Hidden deep in YouTube archives are grainy clips of Derek and Mark in sequined shirts at junior competitions, and Julianne performing at age 11 in a pink fringed dress. Shirley Ballas once shared a photo of all three of them, ages 13 to 16, huddled on a couch surrounded by trophies — beaming, sweaty, and wide-eyed.

In a behind-the-scenes clip from DWTS, Derek once joked, “If you told teenage us that we’d all be choreographing for a global TV audience someday… we’d probably be too busy arguing over the stereo to listen.”

Legacy Born from Youth

Looking back, it’s clear their teenage years were more than just a training ground — they were the origin story of a movement. These three kids didn’t just learn to dance. They learned to trust, to compete, to create — and most importantly, to push each other toward greatness.

They took childhood friendship and turned it into one of the most beloved chapters in DWTS history.

As Julianne once said: “We grew up in ballrooms, and now we live on stages. It’s full circle — and it all started when we were just kids trying to find our rhythm.”