Only 20 years old and already a two-time dancing queen, Julianne Hough is now threatening to rule the country music kingdom. While the competition for a pretty princess in that realm might be much more fierce, at least she has found a Prince Charming to take her along for the ride.
The immediate goal for Hough, who's paired in Season 8 of Dancing With The Stars with country singer and real-life boyfriend Chuck Wicks, is to win her third mirrorball trophy as one of the show's most vibrant and vivacious performers.
If only the current powers that be will give the cute couple a break.
While teaming them up seemed like a natural — Julianne came back for another run this spring after she earlier had decided to take a hiatus to concentrate on her singing career — the duo hasn't exactly wooed DWTS judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
Hough admits the harsh criticism has left her a little annoyed, and she expressed her dissatisfaction on her video blog this week (see below), when she defied the posted order to "KEEP OFF THE JUDGES TABLE AND PLATFORM."
But during a March 19 phone interview, when Hough became the latest participant in the Pop (Culture) Quiz, she appeared upbeat about the situation, though she believes the couple that is romantically involved has a couple of strikes against them.
Asked if the judges are tougher on them, Hough didn't hesitate to reply. "I definitely think so," she said with a laugh. "I think there's this hidden thing where everybody thinks he can dance because we're dating. And he never danced a lick. He grew up on a potato farm in Delaware. He's definitely just a normal guy. I think the disadvantage for us is that everybody thinks it's an advantage."
And the fact that she's won twice already (with speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno in spring 2007, her first appearance on the show, then with race car driver Helio Castroneves in fall 2007) doesn't help matters.
"I think there's an expectation for sure of what the judges want to see," Hough said. "I mean, it just makes us more motivated. We're really excited about this next week."
Despite the criticism, Hough likes her chances to become the show's first three-time winner and, with Wicks, the first real-life couple to share the throne. "You know, I think we're in a good place," she said. "We're about fifth out of 13 right now; I think that's great because the show is all about improving and showing progression and hopefully he'll progress each week and one week we can go like, 'Oh my gosh, he's in it to win it.' So I think we're in a good spot right now."
Article comments
1 - Katie
I don't think Julianne is being realistic. The judges are only being hard because right now Chuck is not a very good dancer. They don't seem to want to be on the show and don't really practice. Julianne wants to sing so why is she back dancing and complaining.
2 - Michael
Thanks for the comments, Katie. It'll be interesting to see what kind of scores they get this week.
3 - carmen
GREAT review. I reallly like Julianne both her dancing and singing. I don't thing she's complaining she's a pro and she takes it seriously about what is said about her dancing.