Julianne Hough Returning To ‘Dancing With The Stars’ As Judge

Julianne Hough will be returning to Dancing with the Stars as a judge.

The 25-year-old professional ballroom dancer will replace Len Goodman on the judges panel Monday night. Professional dancer Tony Dovolani said he respects Goodman’s opinion “immensely,” but that he was excited for Hough to fill in for him.

“She’s a sweetheart and I’ve known her for years and she’s got a lot of knowledge,” Dovolani said. “And it would be nice to have a fresh perspective.”

Julianne Hough competed in the dance competition from seasons 4 to 8, and took first place with partners Apolo Ohno and Hélio Castroneves in her first two seasons. In season 6, she placed ninth with partner Adam Carolla. In seasons 7 and 8, she placed fourth and sixth with partners Cody Linley and Chuck Wicks respectively.

Hough left DWTS to pursue a career as an actress and country music singer. She landed her first lead role in the 2011 remake of Footloose as Ariel Moore, the daughter of Reverend Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid). Hough also starred in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, and in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ novel Safe Haven. She played domestic violence survivor Katie Feldman, and revealed that she was abused as a child dancer in London.

“I was abused, mentally, physically, everything,” she said. However, she declined to reveal details about the abuse.

“I’m a very forgiving person, and I don’t want to hurt anybody,” she said. “What’s past is past.”

Hough released her first country music single, “Will You Dance with Me” in May 2007 to raise money for the American Red Cross. She released her self-titled debut album on May 20, 2008. The record debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200, and sold about 67,000 copies in its first week. She won the Academy of Country Music award for Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Artist in 2009.

Julianne Hough said of her judging stint on Dancing with the Stars that she will be tough on the dancers, but that she won’t give scores in the four and five range like Goodman. She will judge 10 couples, including brother Derek and his partner, Glee star Amber Riley.

“I am so excited because I know how it feels to be on the floor,” she said. “I know what it takes to put all that effort and time each week.”

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