Why Julianne Hough Left 'Dancing With the Stars'
"Dancing With the Stars" (DWTS) season 25 won't have Julianne Hough on the judges' panel. She's also not going to be pairing up as the pro with one of the contestants.
Hough did not specifically say her reason for departing the long-running competition series, nor did the show release any advice on why the favorite judge is gone. Her brother, Derek Hough, who is also part of DWTS, shed some light on her decision.
"She's just newly married, she is a very focused woman," Derek explained. "She has her sights set on other opportunities and other things."
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Hough joined DWTS in season 4 as a pro dancer who was paired up with the celebrities until season 8. She won the coveted mirror ball two times, first with Apolo Anton Ohno and then again with Helio Castroneves.
Although she quit the series midway, she was convinced to return as guest judge by season 17 and a full-time judge by season 19. Hough was not part of the show in season 22, however, and she admitted then that she enjoyed being just a spectator.
"It's nice now because I can actually have favorites," Hough said. Some fans believe that despite being absent from DWTS season 25, she will likely be back before long as Hough can't completely shake off her dancing roots.
Meanwhile, "Dancing With the Stars" season 25 will round up celebrities such as Sasha Pieterse ("Pretty Little Liars"), Frankie Muniz ("Malcom in the Middle"), Drew Scott ("Property Brothers"), Jordan Fisher ("Hamilton"), Barbara Corcoran ("Shark Tank"), couples Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey, former NFL player Terrell Owens, '80s pop singer Debbie Gibson, violinist Lindsey Stirling, professional wrestler Nikki Bella, NBA coach Derek Fisher and ESPN's Victoria Arlen. On the judges' panel are Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
"Dancing with the Stars" season 25 will premiere on Monday, Sept. 18, at 8:00 p.m. EST on ABC.
