With a whole lot of episodes of Dancing With the Stars between them, siblings Derek and Julianne Hough quick-stepped their means into America’s hearts. We caught up with the Emmy-winning choreographers — Derek is now a decide and Julianne a cohost on the present — to speak about their favourite recollections and what retains them coming again to the ballroom.
What does 20 years of Dancing With the Stars imply to you?
Julianne Hough: I don’t know the place to start. The present has been within the properties of households yr after yr. There’s one thing so lovely about the truth that individuals come on [the dance floor] being weak and develop proper in entrance of our eyes. We see it by rhinestones and fringe, nevertheless it’s actually this transformational journey.
Derek Hough : It’s unimaginable to be part of one thing that has had this pleasure round it for 20 years. Each single factor I’ve skilled on this present has been life-changing. I’ve realized so many alternative classes. I’ve grown up on this present.
Yeah, you undoubtedly have!
Derek: I’ve facial hair now! Once I began it [in 2007], I didn’t. I’m a full little man now, type of. [Laughs]
Who’s gone by that development course of with you on the present that actually stands out in your reminiscence?
Julianne: [Olympic speed skater] Apolo Ohno, my first associate, had these large trunk legs, and to observe him determine easy methods to transfer his physique in a brand new means and the dedication that he put into it…he remodeled in entrance of our eyes. [Para-snowboarder] Amy Purdy [in Season 18] discovered this female facet to her that she mentioned she hadn’t felt since she misplaced her legs.
Derek: Amy was extraordinary. Dancing with [conservationist] Bindi Irwin [on Season 21] was actually particular.
Adam Taylor / Disney Common Leisure Content material by way of Getty Photographs
Now Bindi’s youthful brother Robert is approaching the present for Season 34.
Derek: I’m going to be so arduous on Robert! I’m simply kidding. [Laughs] It’s actually wonderful to see the full-circle second — dancing with Bindi 10 years in the past, and right here Robert is.
Did you two ever assume you’d be working collectively like this?
Derek: No. Our mother and father really mentioned, “Hey, you must dance together with your sister.” And I’m like, “No, no, you’re defeating the entire function of why I began to bounce!” I wished to bounce with women.
Julianne: I am a lady.
Derek: Properly, you already know what I’m saying. But it surely’s really wonderful to see our careers have run on these lovely parallel strains.
Julianne: That pathway of being a dancer after which a decide — it’s type of loopy.
Derek: Let’s be trustworthy, Julianne was first on Dancing With the Stars.
Julianne: Did you simply give me credit score?
Derek: I did! [Aside] However she solely gained twice.
Is there a childhood dynamic that also kicks in if you’re collectively?
Julianne: Clearly, there’s sibling rivalry. We’re simply actually playful with one another.
Derek: We’re simply goofs.
Julianne: What I like is that each week we’re in numerous areas on set, however we get our little moments the place we get to hang around within the business breaks. It’s cool.
Do you might have a dream superstar forged member?
Julianne: Keke Palmer could be so enjoyable to have on, as a result of her persona is so large and she or he’s so genuine. Kelly Ripa could be wonderful. Chris Hemsworth ought to come again since he did the Australian model and positioned sixth. However there’s nothing just like the American model.
Derek, you’ve gained the Mirrorball trophy six occasions! How did you rejoice?
Derek: The preliminary second was simply unbelievable. Weirdly sufficient, [as a pro] the celebration was short-lived. The following day is like, “All proper, received to consider the subsequent season.” However now, I get to look again at these moments with Bindi or Nicole Scherzinger or Jennifer Gray and rejoice.
What’s your favourite function on the present — dancer, decide, or host?
Julianne: All of them include one thing totally different. As a dancer, you’re competing, and as a decide, you wish to give your experience to assist [the contestants] develop. As a number, my job is to [make sure] everybody else appears like they’ve the house to shine and join with the viewers.
Derek: The toughest half about being a decide is that you simply’ve received 15 seconds to say one thing, whereas as a dancer, you might have a number of hours to work and nitpick at issues. However I like being in that room. While you stroll into the ballroom, it’s actually sacred floor. The tales which have unfolded, the triumphs, the failures, the heartbreaks. There’s a lot that has occurred in that room, and each time I stroll in there, each season, it’s a brand-new feeling.
—Reporting by Kate Hahn
Dancing With the Stars, Season 34 Premiere, Tuesday, September 16, 8/7c, ABC
For a extra prolonged celebration of 20 years of Dancing With the Stars, from unique interviews to retrospectives and must-see images, decide up a duplicate of TV Information Journal’s Dancing With the Stars twentieth Anniversary particular subject, obtainable for buy on-line at DWTS.TVGM2025.com and on newsstands now.