Julianne Hough says she initially turned down Dancing with the Stars

Julianne Hough revealed the reason why she initially refused to appear on Dancing with the Stars.

The American dancer, 34 – who has twice won the coveted Mirrorball Trophy on the competition show – has a long history with DWTS, where she performed as a dancer, judge and was part of the cast of professional dancers.

She will also return to co-host the show with Alfonso Ribeiro for season 32, following the recent departure of Tyra Banks.

However, performing wasn’t her dream job initially, and when she was first offered a spot as a professional dancer, she actually turned it down.

“Because I thought, ‘You know, I want to be a respected actress and singer.’ I don’t want to be on a competition show, you know, dancing,'” she shared The Kelly Clarkson Show this week.

“I was like, you know, this is what I want to do. This is my path and then I was like, well, I think it’s kind of a good thing to be able to have that as my day job.”

Julianne – whose brother Derek Hough was also a professional dancer on the show – was offered a spot on the show when she was just 18, and began working on DWTS as a professional dancer in 2007.

After initially turning it down, she changed her mind and joined the cast, calling it a “life-changing decision.”

‘It was so wild. I mean, overnight I just finished high school, actually, and then I got on the show.”

She won twice: in season 4 with Apolo Anton Ohno – which was her first season – and then in season 5 with Helio Castroneves.

Hough left DWTS in 2009, but returned as a judge in 2014, before leaving again in 2017. She appeared as a guest judge on the show in 2021.

And while she is famous for her dancing career, Julianne’s dream of becoming an actress also came true and she starred in a number of films, including 2011’s Footloose, which also starred her brother.

Hough recently made a statement about his return to host the iconic show Variety“It’s such an honor to be part of Dancing with the Stars again as a co-host.”

Other Dreams: “I was like, ‘You know, I want to be a respected actress and singer.’ I don’t want to be on a competition show, you know, dancing,” she shared on The Kelly Clarkson Show this week; seen on DWTS

Long history: After turning it down initially, when she was offered a spot at age 18, she later changed her mind and joined the cast, winning the show twice

Many roles: Hough left DWTS in 2009, but came back as a judge in 2014, before leaving again in 2017. She appeared as a guest judge on the show in 2021

Dynamic duo: Her brother Derek Hough, 37, was also a professional dancer on the show from 2007 to 2016. The dance duo also starred together in the 2011 movie Footloose

“The show holds such a special place in my heart from the many years and different roles I’ve had the privilege of being a part of,” she added.

Hough then shared, “The incredible team that brings life to the ballroom every night has been my family for 17 years.

“I am so excited to reunite with Alfonso, Carrie Ann, Bruno, Derek, the incredibly talented pros and the amazing cast on the dance floor.

“The energy is magnetic every time you step into the ballroom and I can’t wait to feel it again – and of course share it all with the absolute best and most loyal fans – for another exciting season.”

Her brother Derek Hough returns as a judge alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

Meanwhile, former host Tyra Banks, 49, expressed her approval for Julianne to return to the show to reprise her role.

Earlier this month, The America’s Next Top Model vet announced that she would be leaving the reality show after three seasons to focus on her other business ventures.

“The businesswoman in me sees how great Julianne is on multiple levels,” the Life-Size actress shared Us weekly after revealing she would not be hosting season 32.

Big return! Following the departure of Tyra Banks, she now returns as the show’s co-host for season 32. Her brother Derek will return as one of the judges; seen the duo in 2019

Bye! Earlier this month, Banks announced she would be leaving the reality show after three seasons to focus on her other business ventures

“She has so much personality and strong opinions backed up by expertise,” Banks added. ‘She’s a perfect choice! She’s going to crush it!’

The entrepreneur kept gushing about the actress and her suitable credentials, making her a standout choice as a host.

‘She’s a professional dancer. She is Derek’s sister [Hough]a DWTS multi champion, who is now an excellent judge,” said Banks.

“It’s going to be a family affair in that ballroom that people will enjoy watching,” she added.