Dancing with the Stars Julianne Hough Reveals Sexual Abuse During Early Childhood By Neighbor

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Summary

  • Julianne Hough bravely shares childhood trauma for the first time in public interview.
  • Hough struggled with silence due to Mormon culture’s pressure for perfection.
  • Despite family abuse, Hough finds healing and reconnects with parents post-divorce.

As a movie reviewer who has spent years analyzing the lives and careers of countless celebrities, I must admit that Julianne Hough’s recent interview left me both moved and inspired. The two-time Dancing with the Stars champion has shown an extraordinary amount of courage by sharing her long-hidden trauma for the first time in public.

Julianne Hough, a two-time winner of the Mirrorball Trophy on “Dancing with the Stars,” has kept a deeply troubling secret hidden for many years. She has now decided to share this story, revealing it publicly for the first time in an interview with “The Jamie Show.” At the tender age of four, Hough was sexually abused by a neighbor. For a long time, she chose not to discuss this harrowing experience, but her decision to speak out now is a testament to her courage and healing process.

“I’ve never expressed that openly during an interview before, but let me tell you, it was a highly perplexing period in my life. Being raised in a Mormon community, we were expected to maintain an image of perfection, always showing our best side. However, there were no significant consequences for what transpired.”

Instead of just hiding the distressing particulars from public scrutiny, Hough also concealed the details from her own family. Yet, it was later disclosed that this may not have been a deliberate action on her part; rather, she had unconsciously suppressed the information until therapeutic sessions brought those repressed memories to light.

I didn’t recall the incident with our neighbor until recently, as I’ve been deeply immersed in my current work over the past few years. This leads me to believe that I may have suppressed memories of it from birth up until age 10, essentially disconnecting myself from ever acknowledging that event had occurred.

Several Family Members Experienced Abuse

Even though she wasn’t ready or secure enough to disclose more difficult incidents from her childhood, she thanked her parents for how they dealt with the situation later on. When Hough learned about the seriousness of what her daughter had experienced, her mother immediately moved the family to a different location.

As a film enthusiast, I’m deeply saddened to share that the distressing incidents didn’t just involve the host of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. In a heart-wrenching interview, she disclosed tales of other family members who experienced abuse during their formative years. Moreover, Julianne Hough emphasizes that her mother, despite her limitations, tried her best to shield them after discovering the appalling acts that had taken place.

“Those who wronged my sister, brother or myself went unpunished because we didn’t speak up. Instead, we adapted and moved on – a wise move to escape the situation – but I feel that this pattern of adapting without addressing the issue is something I struggle with.”

Although past abuses had created a rift and tension between Hough and her parents, she shared optimistic updates about their recent relationship. Following their divorce in 2020, she found a way to rebuild connections with her parents, an experience she describes as deeply healing. Though the pain lingers, her family is on a path towards recovery.

Hough’s heartfelt interview takes place as anticipation builds for the next season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Following Tyra Banks’ departure, Hough returns for another round on stage, teaming up once more with Alfonso Ribeiro, famous for his role in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. At this point, the list of participants remains a secret.

Season 33 of
Dancing with the Stars
premieres Sept. 17 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

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2024-08-20 18:01