Julianne Alexandra Hough was born July 20, 1988 in Orem Utah. She is a professional ballroom dancer, country singer, and actress. She is most known for her role on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars in which she was honored as a two-time champion.

Hough began formally training at a young age. After her parents divorced at age 10, they sent her and her brother to live in London with their dance coaches Corky and Shirley Ballas. The Ballas’s tutored the Houghs in music, theater, and dance alongside their son. The three children formed a pop-band, 2B1G (2 Boys 1 Girl), which led them around the UK and the U.S. to perform in competitions. When Hough was 15, she was the youngest dancer to win two titles at the Blackpool Dance Festival - the Junior World Latin Champion and International Latin Youth Champion. That same year, she left London after being bullied and told that she would end up as nothing, and returned to the U.S. attending Las Vegas Academy.

Hough certainly didn’t end up as nothing. She was the youngest professional dancer to win on Dancing with the Stars, winning both season four and season five. In July 2008, she was also nominated for an Emmy for “Outstanding Choreography” on Dancing with the Stars. Hough continued to play a big role on Dancing with the Stars. She competed up until 2011, and in 2012 returned for a guest performance.

Music also plays a big role in Hough’s life. The country singer has toured with Brad Paisley, Jewel, and Chuck Wicks. Her debut album was number one on the top country albums and even number three on Billboard 2000. In 2009 she was also nominated for the Top New Female Vocalist award, and the Top New Arist award at the Country Music Awards. Her second album, Wildfire is completely done, however she has no plans to release it just yet.

Hough wishes to now focus on her acting career. Her first acting gig was an uncredited role as a “Hogwarts schoolgirl” in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Since then, she appeared in the 2010 dance-musical Burlesque, and even landed a leading role in the 2011 remake of Footloose. Her first non-musical was the Nicholas Sparks adaptation of Safe Haven. Hough is also set to star in an upcoming Diablo Cody film alongside Rock of Ages co-star, Russell Brand.

Hough dated the infamous talk-show host Ryan Seacrest for almost three years. In March 2013 it was announced that the couple had split. Just recently though, she was spotted kissing someone who eerily resembled Seacrest.

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