Julianne Alexandra Hough was born on July 20, 1988, in Orem, Utah. At age ten, following her parents’ divorce, she and her brother Derek moved to London to train with renowned ballroom coaches Corky and Shirley Ballas. She studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, mastering jazz, ballet, tap, singing, and acting. By 15, she had become the youngest dancer — and the only American — to win both the Junior World Latin Championship and the International Latin Youth Championship at Blackpool.

After returning to the United States, Hough joined Dancing with the Stars as a professional dancer in Season 4, winning that season with Apolo Ohno. She won again in Season 5 with Hélio Castroneves, becoming the youngest pro to win the competition twice. She then left after Season 8 in 2009, pivoting to a film and music career. 

Hough returned to Dancing with the Stars as a permanent judge from 2014 to 2017. In 2023, she rejoined as co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro. Beyond TV hosting, she also made her Broadway debut in POTUS (2022) and published her debut novel, Everything We Never Knew, in 2024.