Things You Might Not Know About Julianne Hough

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9. She’s A Country Singer

While Julianne’s known for her dancing skills on Dancing with the Stars, she’s also put out a couple of music albums. In 2008, she released a self-titled album that was produced in Nashville. The album debuted at number 1 on the charts, and also reached number 3 on the Billboard 200. In 2008, she joined Brad Paisley on his tour, which also included singers Chuck Wicks and Jewel. In 2009, she was nominated for an Academy of Country Music Award for the category, “Top New Female Vocalist,” and she won. Though it’s been some time since she made new music, you can check out her single, “That Song in My End,” in the video below.

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8. She’s In Harry Potter

In 2001, Julianne played a tiny part in the first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, when she was 13 years old. She told Us Weekly she had been hired as an extra to play a Gryffindor, one of the 4 houses at Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But for those who hope to find her cameo she warns, “don’t blink or you’ll miss me!”

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7. She Had Surgery

On October 27, 2008, Julianne had to be rushed to the hospital following her encore performance on Dancing with the Stars. Julianne was performing with Hannah Montana’s Cody Linley when she felt strong abdominal pains during her jitterbug dance. She was found to have endometriosis, or tissue growth, on her appendix that required an appendectomy. The dancer had to miss several performances while she recovered. In the meantime, Linley was paired with her replacement, professional dancer Edyta Śliwińska. DWTS executive producer Conrad Green said Julianne was “a real trouper” who handled the situation very well.

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6. She Comes From A Family Of Dancers

People tend to joke that dancing runs in the Hough family, considering Julianne and her brother Derek are both accomplished ones. But Julianne’s desire to dance runs much deeper than that. Her parents Bruce and Marriann were dancers, as were both sets of her grandparents. All 5 of her siblings were brought up to dance as well. Julianne began her dance training at the Center Stage Performing Arts Studio in Orem, Utah. By the age of 9, she was dancing competitively.

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5. She Grew Up Too Fast

Growing up as a dancer wasn’t an entirely positive experience. At the age of 10, Julianne went to London, England, for a 5-year dance scholarship at Italia Conti Academy of Arts, where her brother Derek was also enrolled. The experience was a dark one for her because she was “abused mentally, physically, everything” during her time there. “I was 10 years old looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer,” Hough revealed to Cosmopolitan in 2013. “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. I wanted so much love.” As she hit puberty, the abuse only got worse. Today, Hough has decided to leave the past behind her. “I’m a very forgiving person, and I don’t want to hurt anybody. What’s past is past.”

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4. She Loves To Stay Healthy

Julianne loves to stay fit, even when she’s on the go. When she’s at home, the dancer and actress likes to work out 5 days a week, preferably when she wakes up in the morning. But when things get hectic away from home, she still manages to stay in shape. Julianne told Shape that she brings her little wrist and ankle weights along with her, and also packs her vitamins and protein shake mix. While she likes to maintain a diet full of protein and veggies, she still indulges in small treats like chocolate.

Are you guys ready to workout with me and @Shape_Magazine?! Take mine and @astrid_swan’s class on Shape’s #FacebookLive at 12:15pm today! #mpgsport

A photo posted by Julianne Hough (@juleshough) on Jun 18, 2016 at 12:04pm PDT

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3. She’s The “Worst Bride Ever”

In August 2015, Julianne announced her engagement to professional hockey player Brooks Laich. But while she was excited to be married to Laich, she professed herself to be the “worst bride ever” because she hadn’t done much wedding planning. In June 2016, she hadn’t even decided on her dress yet. “We kind of just started [planning], and we were like, ‘You know what? Let’s just chill. Let’s just enjoy the engagement process and the fun of it.’ So we haven’t really gotten into it,” she told Us Weekly. “We’re kind of terrible.” The couple was finally married on July, 8 2017 in an outdoor wedding on Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They have since separated.

We are overwhelmed with joy and excitement to share with you our recent engagement! #fiancé #love   A photo posted by Julianne Hough (@juleshough) on Aug 18, 2015 at 7:47am PDT

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2. She Was In A Pop Group With Derek

In the 1990s, Julianne and her brother jumped on the bandwagon and started their own pop group. While Julianne and Derek were at the Italia Conti Academy of Arts, they teamed up with fellow student, Mark Ballas, now a Dancing with the Stars professional dancer. Their group was called 2B1G, short for “2 Boys, 1 Girl.” In an interview with People, Julianne laughed at the silliness of the pop group. “We had the corniest songs,” she told the magazine. “We had a song called ‘L-O-V-E Y-O-U,’ and we spelled it out with our hands.”

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1. She’s A Humanitarian

Julianne is involved in several charitable projects that include supporting the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. The organization was founded by spouses/actors Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) and Bradley Whitford (The West Wing), and auctions off celebrities’ high-end clothes to benefit children’s charities. Julianne has also supported other organizations like the American Red Cross, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and Jumpstart.

Today I’m doing an extra-special holiday challenge. Today, let three people in your life know how much you care about them! I’ll go first: I’m grateful for ALL OF YOU! Thank you for making this year extra special. I love all your comments and all of the support you’ve given me, and I can’t thank you enough. xoxo (read about the challenge on juliannehough.com today!) Tag someone you love and let them know how much you appreciate them!

A photo posted by Julianne Hough (@juleshough) on Nov 26, 2015 at 12:56pm PST

Rachel C