Everyone knows the blond blur of talent that is Derek and Julianne. They’ve basically owned the Dancing with the Stars ballroom for decades. But honestly, if you only think of the "Hough siblings" as a duo, you're missing more than half the story. Derek is actually the only boy in a pack of five.
Growing up in a tight-knit Mormon household in Utah, the Hough house was less of a quiet suburban home and more of a 24/7 performing arts conservatory. We’re talking five kids—Sharee, Marabeth, Katherine, Derek, and Julianne—all trained in dance, music, and theater from the time they could walk. It was intense.
The Sisters Who Chose a Different Path
While Derek and Julianne were shipped off to London at ages 12 and 10 to live with the Ballas family and become world-class pros, the three older sisters stayed closer to their roots. Julianne recently opened up on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast about a certain "sadness" that lingers there. Not jealousy, exactly—just the heavy weight of "what if."
All five siblings were in a family band together. They all had the "spark." But as life happened, the older girls ended up taking more traditional routes while the two youngest became household names.
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Sharee Hough Selman: The Matriarch of the Group
Sharee is the oldest. She’s the one Julianne says "started in the Mormon way," marrying at 19 and eventually having six children. But don't think she just settled into a quiet life. She's a classically trained ballerina (Ballet West Conservatory, no big deal) and turned that discipline into a business called Hough Werks. She’s basically a fitness powerhouse in Salt Lake City, blending dance, yoga, and strength training.
Marabeth Poole: The Nashville Connection
Marabeth is the one everyone mistakes for Julianne’s twin. Seriously, the resemblance is wild. She actually moved to Nashville when she was 18 with big dreams of becoming a country music star. While the music industry is a beast, she found her footing as a high-end realtor and a holistic health coach. She’s even done some stunt work in movies back in the day.
Katherine Hough: Skin Care and Resilience
Then there’s Katherine. She’s an esthetician who runs Skin by Katherine, and she’s been in the skincare game for over 20 years. Her life hasn't been all red carpets; she’s been incredibly vocal and brave about her partner Tony Schnur’s battle with glioblastoma, a rare brain cancer. He passed away in 2023, and Katherine has since used her platform to advocate for research.
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Why the "Shared Experience" Matters
There’s a reason Derek and Julianne are so famously inseparable. When their parents, Bruce and Marianne, were going through a messy divorce, those two were the ones sent across the Atlantic. They shared a tiny room in London, dealt with grueling 12-hour dance practices, and navigated a world that was often harsh and, as Julianne has admitted, sometimes abusive.
That trauma bonded them in a way the older sisters didn't experience. It created a gap. For a long time, Derek and Julianne were in their own bubble of fame and shared history, while Sharee, Marabeth, and Katherine were building lives focused on family and local business.
"Derek and I were always so close because we had shared experiences... we never wanted to share [with the others] because we were afraid to hurt someone’s feelings, but that just grew us further and further apart." — Julianne Hough
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The Footloose Reunion
If you want a rare "all hands on deck" moment, look at the 2011 remake of Footloose. Most people know Julianne starred as Ariel, but if you look closely at the dance scenes, all four sisters actually made appearances. It was a brief moment where the family’s collective talent was finally on one screen.
What This Means for the Hough Legacy
The reality of the derek hough sisters is that they are the foundation he returns to when the Hollywood lights get too bright. When Derek’s wife, Hayley Erbert, had her life-threatening cranial hematoma in late 2023, the family didn't just send "thoughts and prayers." They showed up. Julianne mentioned that the crisis acted like a "clean slate" for the whole family, wiping away any lingering competitive vibes or "what ifs."
The Hough family is a reminder that talent isn't just a solo act; it's often a literal genetic inheritance. With grandparents who were dancers and parents who met on a ballroom team, the sisters didn't "fail" at being famous—they just chose to apply that high-octane Hough energy to real estate, motherhood, and health.
Takeaways from the Hough Family Dynamic
- Success is Relative: Just because you aren't on a billboard doesn't mean you aren't at the top of your field, like Marabeth in real estate or Katherine in skincare.
- Trauma Bonds vs. Family Bonds: Shared hardship (like the London years) creates a unique closeness, but it takes conscious effort to bridge the gap with those who weren't there.
- Resilience is the Brand: From dealing with glioblastoma to navigating the fitness industry, the Hough women are arguably just as tough as the guy winning Mirrorball trophies.
If you’re following the family today, the best way to keep up is via their individual Instagrams rather than just watching DWTS. You’ll see the "Hough Werks" fitness tips from Sharee or the skincare expertise from Katherine, proving the family business is much bigger than just a dance floor.
Next Steps for Fans:
Follow Sharee Hough Selman for at-home workout inspiration that actually uses professional dance techniques. If you're looking for skincare advice that comes from two decades of experience, check out Skin by Katherine for a more grounded, expert perspective than your typical "influencer" routine.