Everyone has that one celebrity they feel like they grew up with. For many of us, that’s Julianne Hough. We saw her go from the bubbly pro on Dancing with the Stars to a movie star in Footloose, and eventually the face of her own wellness empire. But lately, the chatter hasn't been about her dance moves. It’s about who she loves. The question "is Julianne Hough lesbian?" keeps popping up in search bars and TikTok comments, usually followed by a lot of confusion.
The truth is way more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
Honestly, our culture loves to put people in boxes. We want a label, a flag, a definitive "I am this." But Julianne has been pretty vocal about the fact that she doesn't really vibe with those rigid categories. If you’re looking for a headline where she says "I’m a lesbian," you won't find it. What you will find is a woman who has spent the last few years deconstructing a very traditional, Mormon upbringing to find a version of herself that feels real.
The "Not Straight" Revelation
It all started back in 2019. Julianne was on the cover of Women’s Health, looking incredible for their "Naked Strength" issue. But the real shocker wasn't the photos—it was the interview. She revealed that just a few months after marrying NHL player Brooks Laich, she sat him down for a heavy conversation.
She told him, "You know I’m not straight, right?"
Talk about a bombshell. Imagine being four months into a marriage and having that realization. She described it as a "massive transformation." She wasn't rejecting him; she was just acknowledging a part of her soul that she’d kept buried under years of "shoulds" and "musts."
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She didn't use the word lesbian. She didn't use the word bisexual. She just used the phrase "not straight." For Julianne, it was less about who she wanted to sleep with and more about the "woman inside" who didn't need a man to protect her. She was shedding the "little girl" persona she’d lived in for decades.
Evolution Beyond the Labels
Fast forward to 2024 and early 2026, and Julianne is still out here living her truth without a glossary. On the Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, she touched on this again, and it’s probably the most "human" explanation of sexuality I’ve ever heard a celebrity give.
"Coming out is one of the most vulnerable and empowering things that you can do. I think for me, it was very much like—it's not about being straight or gay or bi or queer. It’s more about, I think I’m just learning what love is and I love people."
She basically described herself as someone who falls in love with the "essence" of a person. She sees their heart, their beauty, and their energy. Sometimes that leads to a sexual attraction, and sometimes it doesn't.
It’s a very "post-label" way of looking at the world. Kinda refreshing, right? While the internet is busy arguing over whether she’s a lesbian, she’s over here just existing in the gray area. She’s clarified that she doesn't know exactly what she’s attracted to, but she knows she loves deeply.
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Why the Question "Is Julianne Hough Lesbian" Persists
So why do people keep asking? Well, her dating history is a mix of high-profile men and a very public divorce.
- The Ryan Seacrest Era: They were the "it" couple from 2010 to 2013. There was a 14-year age gap, and Julianne has since admitted she felt like she had to "play small" during that time to avoid looking like she was using his fame.
- The Brooks Laich Marriage: They tied the knot in 2017. They seemed perfect on paper. But by 2020, they announced their separation.
- The Single Life: Since her divorce was finalized in 2022, she hasn't jumped into another major public relationship. This "quiet period" often fuels rumors.
When a woman says she isn't straight and then doesn't publicly date a man for a few years, the public's default assumption is often "oh, she’s a lesbian." But Julianne’s journey seems more about sexual fluidity.
In 2026, she’s co-hosting New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Rob Gronkowski, reuniting professionally with her ex, Ryan Seacrest. She seems more at peace than ever. She’s talked about her "strict dating rules" and how she isn't forcing anything. She’s happy with her dog, Sunny, and she’s focusing on what actually makes her feel alive.
The Mormon Influence and Personal Growth
You can't talk about Julianne's sexuality without talking about Utah. She grew up in a strict LDS (Mormon) household. In that world, there’s a very specific blueprint for how a woman should live: marry a man, have kids, be the "nurturer."
Julianne has been open about the "shame and guilt" she carried from that upbringing. When she told Brooks she wasn't straight, it was her way of breaking those chains. She’s mentioned that the more she dropped into her "authentic self," the more attractive she felt—even though it ultimately meant her marriage couldn't survive her expansion.
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What We Know for Sure
If you’re looking for a definitive answer to "is Julianne Hough lesbian," here is the most accurate summary based on her own words:
- She identifies as "not straight." This is the term she uses most consistently.
- She is part of the LGBTQ+ community. She has spoken about "coming out" as a vulnerable, empowering act.
- She avoids specific labels. She hasn't claimed "lesbian" or "bisexual" as her primary identity.
- She values energy over gender. She has explicitly stated she doesn't really have a "type" and focuses on connection.
Basically, Julianne Hough is a woman who decided she was tired of acting. She’s not just a dancer or a "hostess with the mostest"—she’s a person who realized her sexuality is a moving target, and she’s okay with that.
Taking Action: Navigating Your Own Identity
Julianne’s story isn't just celebrity gossip; it’s a lesson in living authentically. If you’re feeling the pressure to "label" yourself or if you feel like you’re "expanding" while your current situation is "contracting," here’s what you can do:
- Audit your "shoulds": Take a piece of paper. Write down everything you think you "should" be doing in your romantic life. Now, circle the ones that actually make you feel happy. Cross out the ones you’re doing for other people.
- Focus on essence: Instead of looking for a specific "type" (man, woman, etc.), try to identify the traits that make you feel safe and seen. Is it kindness? Ambition? Humor?
- Give yourself permission to change: Julianne didn't realize she wasn't straight until her 30s. There is no expiration date on self-discovery.
Whether Julianne ends up with a man, a woman, or stays single for the next decade, she’s already done the hard work of being honest with herself. And in a world of curated Instagram feeds and PR-managed relationships, that’s actually pretty cool.
To stay updated on Julianne's journey or to explore more about sexual fluidity, you can follow her Kinrgy platform or check out her latest interviews on the Jamie Kern Lima Show.