Julianne Hough has grown up on television. She first stepped onto the Dancing With The Stars ballroom floor in 2007 as an 18-year-old professional dancer. Now 37, she has returned not as a competitor, but as a co-host, reflecting on a journey that spans almost the entire life of the hit show. In a recent interview, Hough opened up about her deep connection to the series, her personal evolution, and how the program has become a surprising source of unity in today’s world.
“My whole life has been dancing, and ballroom dancing specifically,” Hough said. “I feel lucky that I’ve just been able to grow up with this show and have it raise me.”
This season has been a major milestone for Dancing With The Stars, celebrating its 20th anniversary with record-breaking audience numbers and fan votes. For Hough, who has served as a pro, a judge, and now a host, the celebration felt overwhelming. She described being in the ballroom for the anniversary special as an emotional experience, surrounded by alumni and feeling the weight of the show’s history.
Julianne Hough’s Evolution From “Baby Jules” To Ballroom Mentor
The difference between the Julianne Hough of 2007 and today is stark, something she recently highlighted with a nostalgic social media post. She shared a then-and-now photo, contrasting her 19-year-old self with “volumized golden locks” against her current style with a short pixie cut. The caption simply read, “Baby Jules has come far…”.
Her role on the show has transformed just as completely. She is no longer the “new kid” trying to prove herself.
“I’m here to hold space for the dancers, the celebrities, and even the audience — so they can relax and be their most authentic selves,” Hough explained. “It’s about legacy and nurturing now, not proving anything.”
She joked that she now feels like a “big sister” or even a “mama” to the new contestants and pros. This shift allows her to use her unique experience—having won the Mirrorball Trophy twice as a pro—to support everyone in the competition. She can advise celebrities on how to feel comfortable, guide pros on what the judges want to see, and help the audience connect with the performances.
The Secret Behind The Show’s Record-Breaking Season 34
Season 34 of Dancing With The Stars has been its most successful in years. It became the first fall show in decades to see its viewership increase for five consecutive weeks after its premiere. This surge happened during the show’s 20th anniversary season, which culminated in a three-hour finale on November 25.
Experts point to a smart mix of casting and social media engagement for the renewed boom. The show has embraced stars with massive online followings, like TikTok influencer Alix Earle, while also featuring beloved actors like Elaine Hendrix from The Parent Trap. This blend attracts both younger viewers and those who have watched for years.
Hough believes the show’s current success taps into a deeper need. She calls Dancing With The Stars one of the few shows on TV that “promote goodness”.
“It’s all about transformation and supporting each other, watching people progress and grow as human beings and dancers,” Hough said. “It feels like a family. It’s this thing that is bringing people together in a way that, I think, [we need] more than ever.”
The production also actively meets viewers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where clips of dances are shared, and fans can see behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage. This gives the audience a daily connection to the stars’ journeys, making the final polished performance on Tuesday nights even more meaningful.
A New Role For Hough: Joining The Team Dances
While her primary job is hosting alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, Hough got a taste of her old life this season when she and Ribeiro were asked to perform in a team dance number. The experience, she admitted, was challenging for her competitive spirit.
“When you just pop somebody in, I’m like, I don’t have any say here, because I’m not competing, but it’s what I’ve done my whole life,” Hough said with a laugh. “I am a competitor. I’m a choreographer. I’m a creative director. All these things that I do…I really I have to bite my tongue here.”
Despite the internal struggle, she loved being back on the dance floor with the pros and seeing them in rehearsal. She expressed immense admiration for the current professional dancers, specifically praising choreographers like Daniella Karagach for her creative signature moves and Mark Ballas for building entire storytelling universes within his routines.
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Looking Beyond The Ballroom: New Year’s Eve And A Lasting Legacy
Julianne Hough’s role on Dancing With The Stars is a constant in her life, but it is not her only focus. She recently announced another major hosting job: she will co-host Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on December 31, 2025. She will broadcast live from Las Vegas alongside former NFL star Rob Gronkowski.
On Instagram, she celebrated the news, writing, “From the ballroom to the countdown!”
Even as she expands her career, Hough’s bond with Dancing With The Stars remains foundational. She calls it “the most consistent thing” in her life, a place she can always return to “and still feel like I’m being challenged and accepted”. The show has been her platform for self-discovery, a journey of growth that happens to be covered in “rhinestones and glitter”.
As for the future, the dancer and host says she is more driven than ever. When asked what the Julianne Hough of ten years ago would be shocked to know about her today, her answer was simple: “I am hungrier than I’ve ever been”.
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