People usually stop scrolling when Julianne Hough drops a new set of vacation photos. It’s almost a guarantee. Whether she’s balancing on a tropical tree limb in Costa Rica or sweating it out in a backyard sauna, the "Dancing with the Stars" host has a way of making a string bikini look like a high-performance athlete's uniform.
But lately, the conversation around these images has shifted. It’s not just about the "itsy-bitsy" animal print or the orange string bikini that went viral during her Barbados getaway. There’s a deeper, kinda intense story about health, aging, and a public battle with body image that Julianne has been navigating right in front of our eyes.
The Reality Behind the Julianne Hough Bikini Photos
Honestly, the internet can be a weird place. In late 2024 and early 2025, Julianne faced a wave of comments on her Instagram—specifically on a video where she wore a snakeskin bikini during a "spa day" routine. People were concerned. Some were flat-out rude. They questioned her weight and her health, sparking a conversation that Julianne eventually felt forced to address.
She didn't just ignore it.
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She actually stepped into the comments to explain that she’s never been healthier. She revealed that during her 20s—the years most people thought she looked "perfect"—she was actually struggling with massive internal inflammation and markers for an autoimmune condition. She spent over a year and a half committing to a protocol to fix her gut and her energy. When you see those Julianne Hough bikini photos today, you’re looking at a 37-year-old woman who has traded the "ballroom-ready" look of her youth for a body that is fueled by high-protein meals and functional movement.
Why her "Beach Body" Looks Different Now
If you look at the shots from her recent trip to Costa Rica in January 2026, the muscle definition is different. It’s leaner. It’s "Carved," as she likes to call it. This isn't by accident.
Julianne’s fitness routine has evolved from strictly dancing to a method she founded called KINRGY. It’s a mix of:
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- Dance cardio to keep the heart rate up.
- Strength training (using things like squat presses and lunges).
- Breathwork and "energy work" which sounds a bit "woo-woo" to some, but she swears by it for keeping her nervous system calm.
She’s also obsessed with recovery. You’ll often see her in a sauna wearing a mustard or brown bikini—not just for the photo op, but because she uses heat and cold plunges to manage that inflammation she talked about. She mentioned in an interview with EatingWell that she wishes she had started the ice baths and lymphatic drainage boots in her 20s.
The Evolution of the Hough Swimwear Style
Style-wise, she’s moved away from the super-glitzy, "pageant-style" suits of her early DWTS days. These days, it’s all about high-end textures and earthy vibes. She leans into brands like Zimmermann, Sauvage, and Reformation.
- The Classic String: She loves a leopard print or a solid bright orange.
- The Functional One-Piece: Often seen with cut-outs and bows, like the gingham Reformation suit she wore for her pre-wedding festivities years ago.
- The "Spa" Set: Usually a neutral-toned, minimal two-piece that can handle the 180°F heat of a sauna session.
Basically, her beach style is "boho-chic meets high-performance athlete." She’ll pair a tiny animal-print triangle top with a beige bucket hat or a wide-brimmed straw hat, looking more like a local surfer than a Hollywood star.
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What Most People Miss About the Photos
It’s easy to look at a photo of a celebrity on a beach and think, Must be nice. But Julianne has been vocal about the "grief and loss" she’s processed over the last few years. Her vacation "photo dumps" often include shots of her snuggling with her dogs or children she’s traveling with.
She isn't just selling a look. She’s selling a lifestyle that prioritizes feeling good over looking a certain way. She’s even said that if she wants pasta or pizza, she eats it. She just happens to balance it with a lot of salmon, Japanese sweet potatoes, and green juice.
Actionable Insights for Your Own Routine
If you’re looking at these photos for inspiration, here’s how to actually apply her philosophy without needing a Barbados budget:
- Prioritize Protein: Julianne focuses on well-sourced chicken and fish to help her muscles recover from her high-intensity dance and "Carve" workouts.
- Mix Your Movement: Don't just do one thing. She cycles through yoga, spinning, hiking, and dance. It keeps the body from plateauing and prevents boredom.
- Don't Skip Recovery: You don't need a professional sauna. A hot bath followed by a cold shower can mimic some of the "contrast therapy" she uses to fight inflammation.
- Address the Internal: If you’re feeling "puffy" or tired despite working out, it might be inflammation. Look into anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, avocado, and leafy greens.
Julianne Hough is essentially proof that your "prime" doesn't have to be in your 20s. At 37, she’s arguably more confident and physically capable than she was at the start of her career. Those bikini photos are just the visual evidence of a lot of hard, internal work.
To mirror the results Julianne sees, start by incorporating a "lymphatic" moment into your daily routine—even just a five-minute self-massage with lotion after a shower to help move fluid and reduce the inflammation she talks about so often. Stick to whole, farm-to-table foods when possible, and remember that even the most "flawless" looking stars are often dealing with their own health hurdles behind the scenes.