Dancing With The Stars champ Julianne Hough, a winner two years running, is without a doubt TV's hottest star, a streaking comet who no doubt has a passel of Hollywood agents wearing out cell phone batteries as they field calls and angle for deals. Part Heather Locklear-part Kelly Pickler, she's #1 on Yahoo's search results, she signed a record contract with Universal Music Group Nasvhille and, according to CMT.com, will start recording in mid December, she's at the center of rumors swirling about the demise of her partner Helio Castroneves' engagement (she denied it to People magazine, saying, "Oh my gosh! No! I love Helio like he is my brother. We are the best of friends"), she reportedly received a "friendship" ring from Entourage's Kevin Connolly last year as he rebounded from his breakup with Nikki Hilton, there were whispers she was canoodling last season with her partner Apolo Anon Ohno (also denied), and she called off her own engagement to dancer and dental student Zach Wilson. With this clamorous media frenzy likely to blow up bigger than her long blond locks, we thought you should know the skinny on the 19-year-old breakout.
Birthdate: July 20, 1988
Family: She's one of five children, born to Mormon parents who met while on the ballroom dancing team at college in Idaho. Her uncle is former L.A. Dodger knuckleballer Charlie Hough.
Gotta Dance: At 9, she began dancing competitively, often partnered with her brother, Derek, three years older. They lived in London with their dance coaches, Latin Dance Champions Corky and Shirley Ballas. At 15, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, singing and dancing. She helped choreograph Gwen Stefani's "Wind It Up" video.
Single: Yes, she is single, but in terms of music, earlier this year she recorded a country single "Will You Dance With Me."
Quote: "It was more grueling this season because last season, people didn't know who I was," Julianne Hough told The Salt Lake Tribune just before Tuesday's rehearsal. "This season, Helio was great, and on top of the training hours, we were doing a lot more press and a lot less sleep."
