It is no surprisethat Derek Hough and younger sister Julianne are two peas in a pod, havinggrown up dancing together and continuing down the same career path. Earlierthis week, it was announced that Julianne and her boyfriend Brooks Laich became engaged, and Derek couldn’t be happier for the couple. “I think that whensomebody lights you up, they light you up, and that’s it,” he told Hello! atthe 2015 Industry Dance Awards & Cancer Benefit show in Hollywood aboutwhat makes them so great together. “I think they have a great dynamic together.”
He continued aboutthe NHL player: “I think it helps that he is sort of separated from this worldso he is like, ‘Let’s go fishing.’ He’s a phenomenal guy. He’s a dude’s dude.
He’s a guy’s guy. They are a perfect match so I’m thrilled for both of them.
It’s amazing.”
Of course Juliannewasn’t the only one with big news this week. It was just announced that Derekwill be returning to Dancing With the Stars for its 21st season. “Well I gotinjured last season. I got injured, and I was also doing 13 shows a week atRadio City in New York simultaneously so that was a huge challenge,” heexplained of his decision to return. “I want to come back this season. I feelamazing. I just did a 49 city tour. I just came off that last week, and it wasincredible. I feel healthy. I feel good. I’m feeling ready to go. I’m excited.”
Even as he returns tothe dance floor, longtime DWTS head judge Len Goodman has decided to vacate thejudges’ table and has announced that he would not be returning for the nextseason. However Derek says that the notoriously tart tongued judge hasn’t leftthe show entirely. “He’ll be in and out. But it’s the 21st season on top ofdoing 15 seasons in England simultaneously so he’s a champion man,” he said. “He’sour guy. I love him. I love Len, and I’ll miss him, but he’s not going justyet.”
So no plans on slowing down right now.”
With an availableseat next to his sister, would the 30-year-old ever consider trading in hisdancing shoes? “I would be too antsy behind a desk. I would want to get outthere and move and dance,” he confessed. “I think I still got a lot more in me.
We’re just happy toknow that the five-time mirror ball winner will be dancing across our TV screenagain soon.