If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last few years, you’ve probably seen the headlines. Some say she’s out. Others say she’s just "fluid." A few years back, the Dancing with the Stars host basically broke the entertainment news cycle when she sat down for a raw interview and admitted she wasn't exactly what everyone assumed.
But the question remains: Is Julianne Hough a lesbian? The short answer? Not exactly.
The longer answer involves a lot of nuance, a public divorce, and a very famous quote that left a lot of people scratching their heads. Julianne hasn't actually used the L-word to describe herself. Instead, she’s used a phrase that’s become somewhat synonymous with her brand of radical honesty: "I'm not straight."
The Moment Everything Changed: That Women's Health Interview
It all started back in 2019. Julianne was on the cover of Women’s Health for their "Naked Strength" issue. She was literally naked on the cover, but the real exposure happened in the text. She revealed that, during a massive period of self-discovery, she sat her then-husband, NHL player Brooks Laich, down for a pretty heavy conversation.
She told him point-blank: "You know I'm not straight, right?"
Brooks, understandably, was a bit caught off guard. According to Julianne, he was like, "I'm sorry, what?" Her response? "I'm not. But I choose to be with you."
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For a lot of fans, this was the "Aha!" moment. They saw a woman married to a man—a very "masculine" athlete at that—finally admitting she had attractions to women. But she didn't say she was a lesbian. She didn't even say she was bisexual. She just rejected the "straight" label.
So, What Does "Not Straight" Actually Mean?
Honestly, it depends on who you ask, but Julianne has been pretty clear that she’s not into labels. In 2024 and 2025, she doubled down on this during podcast appearances, most notably on The Jamie Kern Lima Show.
She explained that coming out was one of the most "vulnerable and empowering" things she’s ever done. But she also clarified that for her, it’s not about being gay, straight, bi, or queer. It’s about people.
"I love people and I don't know what I'm attracted to, but I choose you."
That was her mantra with Brooks. It’s also how she seems to view her life now that she’s single. She talks a lot about seeing people’s "essence" and "beauty" rather than just their gender. It sounds a lot like pansexuality or sexual fluidity, even if she doesn't use those specific dictionary terms.
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The Mormon Upbringing Factor
You can't talk about Julianne's sexuality without talking about Utah. She and her brother, Derek Hough, grew up in a very strict Mormon (LDS) household. In that world, there isn't exactly a lot of room for "not straight" identities.
Julianne has been open about the shame and guilt she carried for years. She’s mentioned "unpacking" all the things she was told as a kid. When she finally spoke her truth to Brooks, she felt a sense of safety she’d never had before. It wasn't just about who she wanted to date; it was about shedding the "girl next door" image that had become a cage.
Her Relationship History: More Than Just Brooks
If you look at her dating history, it’s been exclusively men—at least publicly.
- Zack Wilson: Her childhood sweetheart and fellow dancer. They were actually engaged when she was only 18.
- Chuck Wicks: Her Dancing with the Stars partner back in 2009.
- Ryan Seacrest: Probably her most high-profile relationship before her marriage. They dated for about three years.
- Brooks Laich: The marriage that lasted from 2017 to 2020 (finalized in 2022).
Despite the "not straight" revelation, Julianne has recently said she still sees herself ending up with a man. In late 2025, she mentioned that she would like to have a partner and build a family, and she specifically noted, "I feel as if I am going to be with a man."
Why the Confusion Persists
People love boxes. We want to know: "Is she or isn't she?"
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Because Julianne lives in a space of fluidity, she often gets labeled as a lesbian by people who think "not straight" is just a softer way of saying "gay." But that ignores her own words. She has consistently expressed that her attraction is more about a person’s soul and energy than their anatomy.
Is she a lesbian? No, based on her own definitions. Is she queer? She has identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
She’s a woman who grew up in a conservative environment, married a man she loved, and then realized her capacity for attraction was much wider than she’d been taught.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
If you're following Julianne's journey or navigating your own questions about identity, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Labels are optional. Julianne is a prime example of someone who lives authentically without needing a specific word to define her.
- Sexuality can be fluid. Just because someone has only dated one gender doesn't mean their internal experience matches that history.
- Honesty matters. Her marriage to Brooks ultimately ended, but she credits their "unabashed honesty" for helping her grow into the person she is today.
- Listen to the person, not the rumors. Tabloids will always look for the most sensational headline, but Julianne’s own interviews on podcasts like Armchair Expert provide the real context.
Julianne Hough is currently focused on her career, her "Kinrgy" fitness brand, and her role on Dancing with the Stars. Whether she dates a man, a woman, or stays single, she’s made it clear that she’s done living for other people’s expectations.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to hear the story in her own words, search for her 2024 appearance on the Jamie Kern Lima Show or her deep-dive interview on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. Both offer a much more personal look at her evolution than any tabloid snippet ever could.