Julianne Hough opens up about a cyst bursting on live TV and reflects on 20 years with Dancing with the Stars.
Julianne Hough is looking back on her Dancing with the Stars journey—and she’s not holding anything back.
In a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary, the 36-year-old dancer, actress, and co-host reflected on her early days with the franchise, including a surprising behind-the-scenes moment: having a cyst burst on live television.
“I ended up winning my first two seasons, had a cyst burst on live TV (yep, that happened),” she wrote.
Julianne, who joined DWTS at just 18, said the experience helped her find a “deep sense of purpose.” Her journey, she said, has been “magical, unpredictable, and emotional,” proving that the show is about more than just dancing—it’s about courage and vulnerability in front of a live audience.
She also shared how her DWTS career came full circle—from a young pro “fresh out of Utah with $2000 in my pocket” to now co-hosting the very show that helped raise her.
Her brother, DWTS judge Derek Hough, hyped her up in the comments: “Winning your first 2 seasons back 🏆to back 🏆 at 18 yrs old is a serious flex.”
Fans also chimed in with praise, recalling her resilience and talent. One commented, “You were that girl Julianne 😍,” while another remembered her dancing shortly after surgery.
Julianne has been open in the past about her health struggles. In a 2020 Women’s Health interview, she revealed she has endometriosis, a painful condition where tissue similar to the uterus lining grows outside of it. She shared that learning to love and care for her body—both physically and emotionally—helped her manage the pain.
Through it all, Julianne keeps dancing. The last time she appeared as a DWTS pro was in November 2023. Even though she was co-hosting, she surprised the crowd by revealing a dance costume under her dress and joked, “Why don’t we do that?”—before joining the fun on the dance floor.
Julianne’s story is one of strength, transformation, and passion—and fans continue to be inspired by her every step of the way.
Source PEOPLE
