She has described herself as a deeply troubled child, forced to grow up too fast and wear what she once called a “sexy façade” because it was expected of her.
Today, she speaks openly about the abuse she endured — all while standing at the top of her profession, with three Primetime Emmy nominations for her work on one of the most popular television shows in the world.
A childhood marked by trauma
No child should ever have to experience abuse, yet it remains a heartbreaking reality across the globe.
The star at the center of this story was just four years old when she was abused by a neighbor — a traumatic experience that left scars she carried for decades. Despite its impact, she did not publicly speak about it until 2024.
“My first experience was when I was about four years old,” she revealed on The Jamie Kern Lima Show. “It was by a neighbor in our cul-de-sac. I’ve actually never said that out loud in an interview before.”
She recalled coming home one day with her clothes turned inside out — a detail that alarmed her mother. “My mom freaked out,” she said. Shortly afterward, the family made the decision to move away.
“I guess my mom did do what she could,” she admitted through tears. “She just wanted to leave. She didn’t want to talk about it, but she wanted to get us out.”
The silence surrounding what happened made healing even harder. Growing up in a strict Mormon culture, she felt immense pressure to appear perfect.
“Everything had to look shiny and put together,” she said. “There wasn’t much repercussion for what had happened. Nobody did anything — and that was really hard to process.”
Growing up Mormon — and dancing toward escape
Born in Orem, Utah, she was the youngest of five children raised in a politically active Mormon household. Her father, Bruce, served twice as chairman of the Utah Republican Party, while her mother, Marianne, focused on raising the family.
Dance was a defining force in her life. Coming from a family of professional dancers, she began competing at just nine years old, with her talent immediately evident.
Despite her bright exterior, she struggled deeply behind the scenes — battling anxiety, depression, bullying, and body-shaming from a young age.
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“I don’t think people would expect that from me,” she once said. “I come across as sunshine and positivity, but that wasn’t always how I felt inside.”
Sent abroad at just 10 years old
Her life changed dramatically when her parents divorced. At only ten years old, she was sent to London to live with family friends while attending the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
Living abroad forced her to grow up quickly. Every morning, she navigated public transportation alone, leaving home before sunrise.
“I remember getting off at the wrong station one day and just standing there thinking, ‘Where am I?’” she recalled.
The competitive dance world proved especially harsh. Being young, alone, and surrounded by adults left her vulnerable.
“While I was in London, I was abused — mentally, physically, everything,” she later admitted. “But nobody said anything. We just moved on.”
That pattern of “pivoting” without confronting trauma followed her for years.
“I was 10 years old, looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer,” she told Cosmopolitan. “Inside, I was just a tormented little kid pretending to be something I wasn’t.”
Looking back, the lack of normal childhood memories still saddens her.
“I don’t even have photos of myself with a cute, bare 10-year-old face,” she said.
Bullied, yet unstoppable
After returning to the U.S., she attended the Las Vegas Academy and Alta High School — but fitting in proved difficult.
“I was bullied big-time,” she recalled. “People thought I was stuck-up because I’d just come back from London. I didn’t know how to relate to them.”
One painful memory involved being asked to prom, only to be stood up after classmates pressured her date to ditch her.
Still, her talent carried her forward. By 15, she was dominating dance competitions and soon transitioned into acting, appearing in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
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| Timothy Norris/Getty Images |
Her career quickly took off with major roles in Burlesque, Footloose, Rock of Ages, Safe Haven, and Fox’s live production of Grease.
Dancing into stardom
Most fans recognize her from Dancing with the Stars, which she joined in 2007 as a professional dancer. She won twice before returning years later as a judge — eventually becoming one of the show’s most recognizable faces.
By now, the story likely sounds familiar.
Yes — this is Julianne Hough.
Love, heartbreak, and healing
Julianne’s highly publicized relationship with Ryan Seacrest lasted from 2010 to 2013. Though deeply in love, the eventual breakup was painful.
“I went from private planes and yachts to questioning who I was,” she later reflected. “It was a shock to the system.”
Afterward, she married NHL player Brooks Laich in 2017. While the marriage ended a few years later, it became a turning point that helped her reconnect with her parents.
“I finally got to be the kid,” she said. “They showed up for me, and that healed so much.”
For the first time, she allowed herself to be vulnerable — opening the door to real communication and emotional growth within her family.
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| Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich |
Health struggles and self-acceptance
Julianne has also been candid about her battle with endometriosis, a painful condition she was diagnosed with in 2008 after years of unexplained symptoms.
“I thought extreme pain was just normal,” she said. “I didn’t know anything was wrong.”
She has since become an advocate for awareness, discussing fertility concerns, egg freezing, and learning to treat her body with kindness.
“I truly believe stress and shame play a role,” she shared. “Letting go of that has helped me heal.”
Owning mistakes and moving forward
In 2013, Julianne faced backlash for wearing an offensive Halloween costume. She immediately apologized publicly, acknowledging the harm caused.
“I realize my costume hurt people, and I’m truly sorry,” she wrote.
Actress Uzo Aduba later accepted her apology, encouraging everyone to move forward.
Ready for love — on her terms
In 2025, Julianne revealed she’s open to love again — but with a new perspective.
“I don’t have a type,” she said. “It’s all about energy and connection.”
After everything she’s endured — abuse, silence, pressure, heartbreak, illness — Julianne Hough has emerged stronger, more self-aware, and deeply inspiring.
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