Julianne Hough is back on Dancing With the Stars, but in a much different capacity these days. The two-time mirrorball trophy winner now sits at the judges’ desk and critiques the dance moves of season 19’s DWTS contestants. One of those contestants–YouTube sensation Bethany Mota–is partnered with dance pro Derek Hough–who just happens to be Julianne’s brother. How does this situation make her feel?
“Everyone’s fair game at this point,” Julianne told Hollywood Life. “It’s not me judging my brother — it’s me judging the collaboration and connection that he has with his partner and the growth that I see her do. If I see something where I’m like, ‘Yo Derek, you didn’t up your game with your partner, she could have done better this week,’ then I will call him out for sure. I’m not afraid of that. But he knows and hopefully everybody else knows too, it’s never to diss anybody or call anybody out, it’s because I really do want to see the people improve.”
Julianne Hough sits alongside longtime Dancing With the Stars judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Toniolo, and Len Goodman, and has her work cut out for her this season. Season 19 premiered on Monday evening, September 15th, to some amazing performances.
DWTS Judge Bruno Tonioli Is Looking Forward To Sitting Next To Julianne Hough on the Judges… http://t.co/cXBLtXN16U
— Just Jared Jr. (@justjaredjr) September 15, 2014
“That’s where it all began for me so to be there with the judges on the other side of the panel is what is most exciting about returning,” she says. “Just being able to watch the celebrities grow and become better.”
Tuesday night will see the first season 19 elimination from Dancing With the Stars, along with a special performance of Smokey Robinson with Aloe Blacc.
Did you see the premiere of Dancing With the Stars on Monday evening? How do you think Julianne Hough did in the judges’ seat? And which of the dancing acts do you think will be eliminated on Tuesday’s show?