We often see the glitter, the perfect scores, and the dazzling smiles on *Dancing with the Stars*, but we rarely see the real, physical cost of those flawless performances. For super-close siblings Derek and Julianne Hough, that cost has been painfully high. During a recent TVLine Spotlight conversation, the two took a surprisingly candid walk down memory lane, pulling back the curtain on the brutal bumps, bruises, and serious injuries they sustained over their combined 17-plus years on the hit show. Their stories are a stark reminder that behind the rhinestones and ruffle shirts lies a world of intense physical sacrifice.
For Derek, the pain became a bizarrely predictable part of his schedule. He revealed that for ten seasons in a row, like clockwork, he would either get sick or sustain a significant injury around week six or seven. One of his most debilitating mishaps occurred during a dance with partner Kelly Pickler. He opened their number with a dramatic slide down a stair railing, a move that resulted in a dislocated shoulder. The injury was so severe that, as he bluntly put it, his shoulder “wasn’t right for three years.” It’s a testament to his sheer determination that he continued to perform week after week, pushing through the pain for the sake of the competition.
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Julianne’s story is perhaps even more shocking. She recounted the terrifying moment an ovarian cyst burst live on television while she was dancing with her partner, Cody Linley. In the middle of the routine, she was hit with excruciating pain but willed herself to keep going, repeating “Just keep going” in her head until the music stopped. The moment the dance ended, she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. Yet, in a display of almost superhuman competitiveness and dedication, she was back on the ballroom floor the very next week. Her reason was pure Hough drive: she refused to let her partner down and was adamant that no one else would take her place. “They were gonna give it to someone else and I was like, ‘ABSOLUTELY NOT,'” she recalled.
The Physical Toll of Reality TV Stardom
The conversation also touched on a different kind of danger—the unpredictability of live television. Derek recalled a harrowing moment when the show’s security was breached, and two audience members stormed the stage to protest contestant Ryan Lochte. Derek, in full sequined costume, found himself stepping in to defuse the situation, joking about the absurdity of being “super intimidating” in a ruffle shirt and rhinestones. This incident, alongside their physical injuries, highlights the myriad challenges that come with reality TV stardom, where anything can happen and the performers are always on the front line.
From Dancers to Icons: A Lasting DWTS Legacy
Despite the immense physical toll, it’s clear the Hough siblings wouldn’t trade their *Dancing with the Stars* experience for anything. Their success on the show is legendary and has translated into significant financial success, with Julianne’s net worth estimated at a staggering $12 million and Derek’s at a handsome $8 million. But more than the money, they cherish the journey and the evolution of their roles. Julianne, who started as a pro dancer, now serves as a co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, a “full circle moment” she describes as “the gift that keeps on giving.” Derek has also transitioned from the dance floor to the judges’ table as a permanent panelist.
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Both remain incredibly nostalgic and grateful for the show and its fans. Derek poured his heart out in a sentimental Facebook post, writing, “To the OG fans, to the new fans, and to this entire DWTS family: I love you, I’m thankful beyond words, and here’s to 20 more years of magic.” Their confessions of injury and adversity make their success story all the more compelling. It’s a powerful narrative of resilience, proving that the most beautiful dances are often powered by pure grit and a high pain tolerance.
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