“I Sacrificed A Lot”

Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars finishes her debut album, recalls being without her family and sets the record straight on her romantic life.

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published February 26, 2008

Here are some excerpts from an interview Julianne did with CW Senior Editor David Scarlett during a break in a Nashville recording session not long ago. You may be watching her on Dancing with the Stars again in the coming months, but there’s a good chance you’ll also be hearing her music climbing the charts later this year. Here’s part of what she has to say about that . . . and more.

CW

I’m impressed with what I’ve heard so far.

JH

Oh! Thank you! Thank you so much! I’m extremely happy with everything that's happened . . . extremely happy with everything we've recorded so far.

CW

Is there a timetable for a single, album release?

JH

We’re gonna be releasing the single early spring . . . we’re not sure which one yet . . . and the whole album will be released May – June, late spring. Not that far away at all.

CW

What’s your Dancing schedule, and how are you squeezing everything in?

JH

There’s a lot of juggling. We’re gonna be finishing the album, 'cause I have to head back to LA the third week of February to start training for Dancing with the Stars. And that will finish the last week of May. David (her producer, David Malloy) might have to come to LA, so we can do some vocals at night after rehearsal.

CW

Are you looking at being on a musical tour later this year, as opposed to a dancing tour?

JH

Oh absolutely. We’ve already been talking to some amazing artists, and if I could go on the road with any of them, I would die to. But, yeah, I’m gonna be an opening act for somebody.

CW

Is this your first studio experience?

JH

The first time I was with David (Malloy), for “Will You Dance With Me”...that was I think my second time in the studio. It was very new to me, I was very nervous. But David is so great, I’m so comfortable around him...I could go so off—key and sound great to him! (laughs)

CW

The lyrics in "Will you Dance" talk about being a dreamer and a rainbow chaser . . . are you?

JH

Absolutely. Oh my goodness. I think everybody has to, but I’d say I’m one of those who definitely exceeds that. I knew at a very young age—eight years old—that I wanted to sing and dance and be in the entertainment business. And I actually sacrificed a lot. I moved to London without my family and lived with dance coaches for five years—from 10 to 15. Then I had to make another sacrifice to decide do I want to move back to the states and be with my family and pursue my singing and acting . . . or stay on my dance path where I know I’m gonna succeed. So I made that other choice. So, I’m definitely a dreamer and I believe that anybody can get there if they really want it and really work for it and still have fun while you're going it . . . I think anybody can do it.

CW

Do you recall a time as a child when you realized that you maybe had a gift that not everybody else had . . . whether singing on key or whatever?

JH

No. I was surrounded by my brothers and sisters . . . five in my immediate family. My oldest sister, Sharee, is 30; my second sister is Marabeth . . . she’s 28; my third sister, Katherine, is 25; and my brother, Derek, is 22. And I’m 19 . . . born July 20. But the point is, we were always singing and dancing and making up skits in front of the camera. So I was just used to that whole atmosphere. It’s always been in my family and it's been kind of ingrained in me.

CW

Who’d you hear around the house growing up? The stuff your older siblings played?

JH

Their stuff! I’m 19, so Shania Twain and Faith Hill were like my big-time girls when I was growing up. I remember singing Shania and Faith stuff all the time. And I love Martina. She’s unbelievable. And inspirational people like Tim McGraw. But I also listen to rock and to pop. I love Fergie. I’m like in love with Fergie right now. I think she’s awesome!

CW

Are you gonna be putting down roots here in Nashville?

JH

Yes. I’m looking for a place here. I just love it so much. I love LA, I’m not gonna deny it. But there’s only so much of it you can handle. And here, you can feel like a normal person, sittin’ in their normal house, watchin’ their normal dog. (she laughs) I love it!

For more on Julianne, check out the March 10 issue of Country Weekly.