Julianne Hough’s Sisters Feel “Sadness” They Aren’t as Famous

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Julianne Hough is making room on the dance floor for her siblings’ feelings.

Despite the fact that Derek Hough’s siblings, including his older sisters Sharee Hough (age 48), Marabeth Hough (age 44), and Katherine Hough (age 43), all had a passion for dancing, singing, and acting during their youth, they eventually found themselves following distinct career paths.

Julianne mentioned during the September 9th episode of the ‘Not Skinny But Not Fat’ podcast that her eldest sister followed the Mormon tradition by getting married at the age of 19 and having six children. Furthermore, her second sister aspired to become a country music star in Nashville, while her third sister aimed for a career as an actress.

To put it simply, I’ve always been a die-hard fan, and when it comes to the talented sisters from the “Footloose” movie, there’s no denying that my favorite has undeniably shone brighter in Tinseltown. While my heart swells with pride for Sharee, Marabeth, and Katherine, I can’t help but feel a complex mix of emotions as I witness their older sister’s extraordinary success in Hollywood.

Julianne noted, “There’s no jealousy present, but there is a wistfulness that perhaps they missed out on the experience we had. They are incredibly content with their lives; their happiness is profound and their life is wonderful. However, we were offered an opportunity that they didn’t have, and it’s challenging for me.

The 37-year-old woman openly acknowledged that her and Derek’s professions led to a certain amount of strain with their family members, as a result of the commitment required in their respective careers.

Julianne said that Derek and she were very close due to the mutual experiences they had gone through. However, they preferred not to share these experiences because they were worried about causing hurt feelings. Unfortunately, this led them to drift apart, as not sharing made others feel excluded.

Plus, it wasn’t just the eldest Hough kids that were affected by the family’s sibling dynamics. 

Julianne noted that her sisters were incredibly close while growing up, which left her without the sibling bond she longed for. Since they’re married with children, Julianne doesn’t share their experiences, and when she observes her third sister’s busy life filled with three lovely daughters and various activities, she’s deeply impressed.

She expressed, “You know, she’s a fantastic mother. I truly respect that so much. Frankly, it’s something I aspire to as well. And guess what? She feels the same way. It’s not about deciding who’s better, but about acknowledging our individual desires.

Consequently, their emotional odyssey shared by Julianne and her kin has strengthened their resolve to maintain a strong bond.

She remarked, “It’s been quite similar to saying, ‘Well, if it causes pain, it causes pain, but at least we’re near,'” she said. “We’re close, and we’re making progress through it. It’s just human to feel emotions, after all. People can be joyful for you, yet still experience a moment of ‘Oh.’

Read on for more of Julianne’s honest confessions through the years. 

Julianne Hough publicly discussed her third egg freezing experience, aiming to make others undergoing similar processes feel less isolated. In an Instagram post from June 2025, she wrote:

“This is my third round of egg freezing, and I understand that it isn’t always the easiest topic to discuss, let alone share publicly. However, I’ve come to realize how crucial it is to speak openly about such matters. There are countless women across the globe who are quietly visiting doctors, making significant, courageous decisions regarding their bodies and future. This process can be incredibly vulnerable – physically, emotionally, and definitely hormonally.”

If sharing a small part of my journey helps someone feel less alone or encourages them to seek answers and find what’s best for them,” Julianne added, “then I believe it’s worth it.

In 2008, Julianne revealed that she had been diagnosed with endometriosis. Since then, she has been a strong advocate for raising awareness about the condition by openly discussing her personal experiences and medical treatments.

In 2018, the author of “Everything We Never Knew” told the Endometriosis Foundation of America that while endometriosis is a part of her life, it does not define her. She emphasized the importance of staying active and exercising regularly to feel better, but also stressed the need to listen to one’s body and rest when needed.

In 2020, Julianne told Women’s Health that she no longer experiences symptoms of endometriosis as severely as before.

During a retrospective on Dancing With the Stars’ 20th anniversary, Julianne fondly reminisced about her journey – starting at age 18 when she joined with only $2000 from her training in London throughout childhood. She never imagined what lay ahead, including winning her first two seasons, a surprising live TV health scare where a cyst burst (yes, that happened), emotional moments with Dr. Drew, dancing with a unicycle as the first prop used besides a chair, judging alongside friends Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and the iconic Len, and now co-hosting the very show that played such a significant role in her life development. Over 20 years, she’s experienced nearly every role the show has to offer, learning something new with each one.

In reference to Julianne’s beloved dogs Lexi and Harley, she unequivocally declared her affection as “I adore them more than anything this world has to offer!”

When the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tragically passed away in September 2019, fans were puzzled about the circumstances. Julianne, however, merely conveyed her sorrow.

On Instagram the following month, she wrote poignantly: “I’ve never known a love like ours.” She added, “I miss you. I love you forever. Now You Are Free.”

Five years later in an August 2024 episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Julianne revealed that coyotes were responsible for their deaths. “I sensed it before my phone even rang,” she shared. Upon answering the call, her assistant was in hysterics.

Despite having secure gates and no previous encounters with coyotes on her property, Julianne expressed gratitude that Lexi and Harley perished together. She also mentioned that typically, such incidents are swift. Julianne managed to recover their bodies.

Their demise occurred during a challenging phase in her life. As she recounted on the podcast, she had separated from her then-husband Brooks Laich, ended her partnership with her longtime assistant, and was preparing KINRGY for Oprah Winfrey’s 2020 tour.

Although Lexi and Harley will always hold a special place in her heart, she welcomed a new canine companion named Sunny in 2023. She penned in a 2024 post: “Lexi & Harley would have loved and played with you every day,” adding that they had sent Sunny to her, when she was ready to love again.

As Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich announced their separation in May 2020, finalizing the divorce within two years, I couldn’t help but reflect on our relationship.

“For a long while,” she said on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, “we were both questioning whether it was working or not.” We seemed to be heading in different directions.

Julianne and Brooks first stirred romance rumors in 2014, with their wedding following three years later. I threw myself into that relationship, and at the time, it was exactly what I needed – a sense of safety and a grounding force. In many ways, our dynamic reminded me of a little girl seeking comfort, while he provided the stability I craved.

That dynamic aided in my healing process. As I embarked on my journey of self-discovery, I began to grow into a more mature woman, listening to my own voice instead of the subconscious decisions of my inner child. This transformation allowed me to understand myself better and question my beliefs.

Julianne and Brooks are still friends, even spending time together with his fiancée Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir at the lake. Despite our split, I have grown and learned so much about who I am as a person.

In an interview with Women’s Health in 2019, Julianne Hough recalled telling her then-boyfriend, “You know I’m not straight, right?” to which he responded with confusion. She clarified, “‘I’m not [straight], but I choose to be with you.'” However, Julianne prefers not to be defined by labels.

On The Jamie Kern Lima Show, she expressed that coming out is a powerful and vulnerable act. She explained, “It’s not about being straight or gay or bi or queer. It’s more about I think I’m just learning what love is and I love people. I don’t know what I’m attracted to, but I choose you.”

As her self-discovery journey continued, Julianne gained a better understanding of how she connects with others. She added, “That is the freedom of the love that I was starting to experience in seeing people… Because I had been able to take off a layer of protection. And instead of being so internalized, I was starting to see people and seeing their hearts and seeing their beauty and their essence coming through in a way that I was like, ‘Wow, I love people. And I don’t know if it’s a sexual attraction or a this attraction, but I’m just seeing people.’

In an episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen aired in August 2024, Julianne concurred with Mickey Guyton’s statement that Bobby Bones shouldn’t have won Dancing with the Stars Season 27 back in 2018. When asked about her opinion, Julianne agreed and suggested it was due to fan base influence on the show. She stated, “I actually agree with you… He wasn’t the best dancer.” Despite this, Bobby didn’t seem offended by Julianne’s remark and later admitted that he indeed wasn’t a great dancer during his time on the show.

2010 found me stepping into a world of unparalleled opulence when Julianne began dating Ryan Seacrest – lavish getaways, courtside Lakers games, and dazzling evenings were now the norm. As I shared on an August 2024 episode of Dax Shepard’s podcast “Armchair Expert”, it was as if a carpet had been yanked from under me, and suddenly I was soaring. This new existence revealed dimensions I hadn’t known existed, but an underlying insecurity crept in: ‘I must never be perceived as being with him for these reasons.’ So, I adapted, molding myself to meet their expectations.

Reflecting on my journey since then, I acknowledge that perhaps I’ve never truly loved a person but cherished the sensation of being adored instead. Consequently, I endeavored to become what they needed me to be, to feel cherished. And because I was so inundated with love from them, naturally, I expressed affection towards everyone. Every partner I’ve dated has been admirable, yet I wonder, have I genuinely loved them? I ponder this question carefully, fearing analysis might taint the sweet simplicity of my experiences.

Julianne’s career in country music began with great success. In 2007, she released her hit single “Will You Dance With Me” and followed it up with her debut album the next year, which topped the Billboard Top Country Album chart and included the Hot 100 hit “That Song In My Head.” She also toured with Brad Paisley and won two awards at the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards.

After releasing another single in 2010, there were plans for a second album, but it never materialized. In an interview on Ryan Seacrest’s show in August 2024, Julianne revealed that her mindset was, “If I’m not No. 1, then I’m losing.” She explained that she had a competitive nature with herself and decided to shift gears and focus on acting instead. Unfortunately, she never fully pursued music again, and this decision remained a source of regret for her.

In 2020, a video of Julianne Hough experiencing intense emotions during an energy session at the World Economic Forum became viral. Four years later, in an episode of “Off the Vine With Kaitlyn Bristowe” that aired in August 2024, the former star of “Grease Live!” addressed this event. She explained, “I’ve had some extraordinary spiritual experiences, and people have often reacted by saying I’ve lost my mind. They pointed at the energy work session that went viral back then, with many commenting, ‘She’s possessed! An exorcism is happening through her!’ Naturally, that was over four years ago. Now, energy work has become much more mainstream, and people are more aware of what it involves.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase that in a personal and engaging way as follows:

“Growing up in Utah, my first unsettling experience took place when I was just four years old, in our very own cul-de-sac. This is the first time I’ve shared this story publicly during an interview. At the tender age of four, it was a time shrouded in confusion. Living within the Mormon culture, where everything appears flawless and put together, I found myself grappling with the aftermath of an event that did not fit that perfect mold.

I managed to push these memories aside for several years before finally sharing them with my parents. Other experiences from my childhood added to the mix, creating a complex web of emotions that I had to navigate. It wasn’t until I embarked on this personal journey in recent years that those early memories resurfaced.

In the beginning of my book ‘Everything We Never Knew,’ I dedicated it to my younger self, who courageously did whatever was necessary to endure and safeguard herself, ultimately leading her to where she is today.

She informed Jamie Kern, “There are countless individuals who take care of what is necessary to sustain themselves. We should appreciate this aspect and this version of them, understanding as adults, ‘I recognize you now and you’re not by yourself.’

As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Though Julianne has always been comfortable in her own skin, her body was relentlessly criticized during the filming of an unnamed project. In a 2017 interview with Redbook, she opened up about how her self-perception changed drastically in middle school, comparing herself to others and internalizing criticism. During that movie, despite being the slimmest she’d ever been, she was constantly told she was overweight. Now, when she feels self-conscious, Julianne channels her inner child by engaging in playful or absurd acts to break free from negative thoughts.

In a 2016 interview with People, she acknowledged the challenges of staying positive in the public eye, particularly when faced with harsh comments. However, she emphasized her dedication to focusing on her own well-being, prioritizing happiness and positivity over external criticism.

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2025-09-09 23:48