Inside Julianne Hough's Wild Transformation Over The Years

You may have first encountered Julianne Hough as a cast member on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Julianne immediately stuck out as a fierce talent, but lingering behind the limelight was serious childhood trauma. Luckily, the dance prodigy knew how to turn a bad situation into a legacy like no other. After a successful segue into acting and judging, Julianne announced she was about to venture into her newest and deepest journey yet. 

Born In Orem

Julianne Alexandra Hough was born on July 20, 1988, in Orem, Utah. The youngest of five children, her father Bruce was a telecommunications executive who later pivoted into Republican politics. His children, on the other hand, would take a different path. 

Raised Mormon

Though not right away. Julianne grew up in a Mormon household. She would later tell the New York Post that she no longer practices, but was glad to have been raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, she realized from a young age that it just didn't fit her.

Breaking Out

Julianne had more ambition than her religion would allow and described her upbringing as, “No sex before marriage, no drinking, no caffeine, no smoking, no swear words, no R-rated movies.” When a knack for dancing sprouted at a young age, she knew it was time to break free.

Young Prodigy

Along with her 13-year-old brother Derek, when Julianne was 10 she was accepted to train as a ballroom ballet dancer at the London-based Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts. Next stop: The UK!