Julianne Hough On Why She Formerly Passed Up Dancing With The Stars Gig

In life, we sometimes think that there are somethings we can’t necessarily do, whether it’s because it’s not where we want to see our life or career head to, or because it doesn’t align with our current passions at the time. For Julianne Hough, jumping in to be the host of “Dancing with the Stars” is a career path she didn’t know she would undertake.

Julianne Hough – Says She Turned Down Dancing On DWTS To Be A Respected Actress

Julianne Hough is excited to dive into her new role as co-host of the Disney+ show, despite her initial reservations. On Thursday’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the pro dancer, 34, revealed that she wanted to turn down appearing on DWTS at age 18 to build her acting career.

She told Clarkson: “I was like, ‘You know, I want to be a respected actress and singer. I don’t want to be on a competition show, you know, dancing.'”

“I was like, you know, this is what I want to do. This is my path,” she continued, adding, “And then I was like, well I guess it’s kind of a good thing to be able to have that as my day job.”

Hough added that it eventually turned out to be the right choice when the show blew up following her 2007 inclusion on the line up of performers. “It was so wild. I mean, like overnight, I had just finished high school, basically and then I got on the show.”

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In 2009, Hough left the show, later returning as a judge for six seasons from 2014 to 2021. “I was on the show and you know, I was a dancer first,” she said of the series, which moved from ABC to Disney+ in 2022.

“Won my first two seasons back to back and then came back as a judge and that was one of the most fulfilling moments and then, of course, to come back now as a host it just really does seem full-circle.”

Julianne Hough also praised Tyra Banks, who she is taking the reins from, former host Tom Bergeron and her current co-host Alfonso Ribeiro.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Julianne Hough right now. Come back here often for all Julianne Hough spoilers, news, and updates.

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