Julianne Hough has long captivated audiences with her extraordinary talent, vibrant personality, and presence on screens and stages across the world. Yet behind the smiles, dancing, and applause lies a story of resilience forged through hardship. The actress, singer, and professional dancer has spoken candidly about the challenges she faced growing up, revealing the deep personal struggles that shaped her into the performer and person she is today.
Hough has described her childhood as deeply tormented, forced to project a “sexy facade” long before she was emotionally or physically ready. Despite these pressures, she built an impressive career, earning three Primetime Emmy nominations and becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry. Her candid revelations have shed light on the abuse she endured, offering a powerful reminder that trauma can affect anyone, regardless of public success or privilege.
At just four years old, Hough was sexually abused by a neighbor, an experience she carried privately for decades before sharing it publicly in 2024. Speaking on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, she recounted, “My first experience was when I was about 4 years old. By a neighbor in our cul-de-sac. I’ve actually never said that out loud to anybody in an interview before.”
She recalled informing her mother after returning home with her clothes inside out. While her mother responded with shock and sought to remove the family from the situation, the issue was never fully addressed. Hough reflected on the emotional aftermath, stating, “I guess my mom did do what she could. She just wanted to move and leave. She didn’t want to deal with it. She didn’t want to talk about it, but she did want to get us out.”
Hough’s upbringing in a strict Mormon household added another layer of complexity to her ability to process the trauma. In a culture that emphasized perfection and outward appearances, difficult conversations were often avoided, and accountability was limited. “That was a very, very confusing time because obviously growing up in the Mormon culture, everything needs to be perfect. Everybody needs to put on the shiny, ‘We’ve-got-our-stuff-together,’” she explained. “There was not a lot of repercussion for what had happened… that was a very challenging thing to come to terms with, that nobody did anything.”
Born in Orem, Utah, Hough was the youngest of five children in a politically engaged family. Her father, Bruce Hough, served twice as chairman of the Utah Republican Party and later ran for Utah’s 2nd congressional district in 2023. Dance played a central role in the household and became a defining force in Julianne’s life.
Despite her talent and discipline, her early years were not without personal challenges. Hough battled anxiety and depression, endured bullying during her teenage years, and faced body-shaming as an adult. “I don’t think a lot of people would know that about me because I come off as sunshine and happiness and positivity,” she once noted.
Coming from a family of professional dancers, Julianne began competitive dance at the age of nine. Her skill was evident, and teachers quickly recognized her potential. At ten, her life shifted dramatically when her parents divorced, prompting a move to London to live with family friends. There, she enrolled at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
The transition to life in Europe demanded early independence. Hough recounted navigating public transportation alone, often before sunrise. “I remember one of my first days there I got off at the wrong train station,” she told People. “I was just standing there thinking, ‘Where am I?’”
Her time abroad exposed her to the adult world of competitive ballroom dance, where she faced mental and physical abuse at a young age. In a 2013 interview, she revealed, “While I was in London, I was abused, mentally, physically, everything. They never got reprimanded for it because we didn’t say something. Instead, we just pivoted and we just moved.” The pressure to maintain a mature, sensual image only compounded these challenges.
Dance, however, remained her anchor, providing confidence and stability amid personal upheaval. Her professional journey has included serving as a judge on America’s Got Talent, earning widespread acclaim, and navigating public scrutiny, including high-profile relationships, controversial Halloween costumes, and body-shaming criticism.
One such headline-grabbing relationship was her romance with Ryan Seacrest, which lasted from 2010 to 2013. Hough openly shared her excitement and nerves during their early dates. “He is such an influential guy … and what if it didn’t work out? Our first date, I was so nervous that I just sat there and interviewed him with questions like, ‘Are you loyal?’ and ‘Are you close to your family?’” she told InStyle in 2012.
The couple eventually parted ways, a transition Hough described as challenging. “It was 2013, and I had just got out of a relationship that was very high profile. I was on private planes and yachts and living in a very, very well-off house. My life was pretty different from where I grew up,” she explained on Instagram Live.
Following her split from Seacrest, Hough began a relationship with NHL player Brooks Laich. They got engaged in 2015 and married two years later. Though the marriage ultimately ended, it allowed Hough to reconnect with her parents on a deeper level. “They showed up for me as my parents and I needed that,” she reflected. “I reclaimed my parental relationship with them and I got to be the kid and they got to take care of me. That was the most healing time for us.”
Hough spoke of the emotional growth during this period, sharing, “I was in a vulnerable place of like, ‘I don’t have anything to protect myself, I am completely raw, so maybe I can hear you more now, and even though I didn’t think that you were understanding at the time, maybe you are, and I can actually receive it now because my guard is down and my heart is open.’ And so that’s when we really went through more of our healing and communication as adults.”
Her openness extends beyond family and relationships. Hough has publicly discussed her battle with endometriosis, a condition affecting the uterus lining, which she was diagnosed with in 2008. Symptoms began as early as age 15, though she did not recognize them at the time. “For years, I was just thinking that was normal and never really talked about it,” she explained. She has since undergone surgery and shared that managing stress, guilt, and self-compassion has been key to her improvement.
Hough has also addressed the impact of her health on fertility and proactive measures she took, including egg freezing with Laich. “We never actually tried to get pregnant. It was more of a precautionary measure: Let’s do our due diligence for the future by freezing eggs,” she said.
Even missteps in the public eye, such as her controversial 2013 Halloween costume as Crazy Eyes from Orange Is the New Black, became teachable moments. Hough apologized promptly, stating, “It certainly was never my intention to be disrespectful or demeaning to anyone in any way. I realize my costume hurt and offended people, and I truly apologize.” Uzo Aduba, the actress who portrayed the character, accepted the apology, emphasizing the importance of moving forward.
Today, Hough continues to inspire through her talent, transparency, and resilience. At 37, she balances professional accomplishments with personal growth, openly discussing her past abuse, health struggles, and pursuit of meaningful relationships. On matters of romance, she has expressed that energy and connection outweigh appearances, stating, “It’s all energy-based. I don’t really have a type. It’s more connection, and that’s it.”
Julianne Hough’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, self-reflection, and embracing vulnerability. From her early experiences of trauma to the highs and lows of fame, she has emerged not only as a gifted performer but also as a role model demonstrating courage and authenticity. Her story underscores that even in the glare of the spotlight, personal battles can be fought—and overcome—through strength, honesty, and support.