Julianne Hough Opens Up About ‘Painful Mistakes’ On Her Road To Success

Since changing into the youngest professional to win “DWTS” throughout her debut season alongside Olympic gold medalist Apolo Ohno, Hough’s profession has spanned dance, music, movie, and entrepreneurship. She’s celebrated main wins, like starring in Hollywood movies and launching her personal wellness model, whereas additionally navigating deeply private challenges, together with her endometriosis prognosis in 2008 and her 2020 divorce from former NHL participant Brooks Laich.

Almost 20 years after getting her begin, Julianne Hough is trying again on the journey that launched her into stardom, and he or she wouldn’t change a factor.

“Truthfully, I wouldn’t inform her something,” Hough instructed PEOPLE when requested what she’d say to her teenage self. “She obtained me right here as we speak.”

“It’s so humorous as a result of I feel we at all times need to give our youthful selves recommendation,” she continues. “However you don’t know what you don’t know till you already know it.”

After departing “DWTS” in 2009, she returned to the ballroom in 2014 as a decide till 2017. Within the years between, she constructed a notable appearing résumé, with roles in “Burlesque,” “Footloose,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Protected Haven.” She additionally introduced Sandy to life in Fox’s stay manufacturing of “Grease” in 2016.

“Each second that I’ve gone by means of, whether or not it’s painful errors, self-sabotaging, or being courageous and taking a threat and placing your self on the market, is simply a part of the journey,” Hough mentioned. “They construct character.”

And, in 2018, she based her Los Angeles-based dance and health firm, KINRGY.

“Being a founder is without doubt one of the hardest belongings you’ll ever do,” she says. “It’s like you might have an concept, after which it’s a must to let it go and let it breathe and do its personal factor.”

However her proudest moments come from the influence she’s made. “The perfect praise I get is when individuals come as much as me and are like, ‘What you’ve created right here has allowed me to connect with my physique and my confidence,’” she shared.

Since 2023, Hough has returned to “DWTS” as a co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, and the pair is gearing up for Season 34, premiering in September.

“Julianne is at all times so awkward interviewing the celebrities,” one fan mentioned final yr. “I am unable to bear in mind who she was interviewing particularly this week, the place she misplaced her query card, and so she was simply stumbling over her phrases for a couple of seconds, attempting to give you a query.”

Nonetheless, Hough shouldn’t be going anyplace anytime quickly.

She’s additionally stepping again into the world of movie with a job in Maggie Gyllenhaal’s upcoming “Bride!” which is a Frankenstein-inspired film set to debut in 2026.

“I haven’t performed a film in a really very long time,” Hough mentioned. “To be a part of this forged, and to work with Maggie, in a job the place I felt like, ‘I do know I can do properly on this,’ was a fantastic expertise and foray again into appearing.”

With a packed fall schedule forward, and a brand new title because the superstar ambassador for Icelandic Glacial water, Hough is considering a uncommon pause.

“This yr has been a little bit of a transition for me,” she defined. “Even in the course of the pandemic, I used to be constructing KINRGY, so I didn’t actually take a correct break. I’m about to begin one thing new, and it’s going to take a number of power and focus, so I’d simply take July and August off.”

As for what’s subsequent? Hough’s focus is evident. Empowerment.