Julianne Hough will be back on Dancing With the Stars, the show that made her a star in her own right, if only for a guest stint on the judges’ panel.
The 25-year-old will guest judge at least one Dancing With the Stars episode this season while head judge Len Goodman is away on other business.
Len will be judging the British series Strictly Come Dancing, so the former DWTS pro and Footloose actress will fill in while he’s absent on ABC.
“She’s just as, if not more knowledgeable than what’s going on over there,” said Mark Ballas, Hough’s former partner, gesturing over at the judges’ table.
“She’ll be honest, whether you’re family, a friend, or whatever to her.”
Meanwhile, brother and DWTS pro Derek Hough jokingly worried that Julianne would mark him down for having pulled her hair at some point in the ’90s.
Karina Smirnoff pointed out that in the professional ballroom world, family members judging each other is a no-no, “But hey, it’s a TV show,” she said.
The current celebs are stoked. A beleaguered Snooki, who’s competing for the Mirror Ball this fall, felt like she’d be a “nice judge, which is refreshing.”
“I really just wanna feel those paddles,” said Julianne, who won Dancing With the Stars Seasons 4 and 5. “Don’t be surprised if the 4s are kicked out and just gone.”
Last night’s Dancing With the Stars results show spelled the early demise of Keyshawn Johnson. Who are you rooting for to win this season? Vote: