“Dancing with the Stars” is changing as pro dancer Derek Hough will not return for the upcoming season and it will mark Len Goodman’s last season at the judges’ table.
“DWTS” judge Julianne Hough visited Access Hollywood Live on Thursday, where she chatted with Billy Bush and Kit Hoover about the show’s future.
“I think I intimidated him too much,” Julianne joked about her brother’s exit from the show.
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Derek will be playing the lead male role in Radio City Music Hall’s “New York Spring Spectacular!”
Despite being Derek’s sibling, the judge said it wasn’t awkward to critique him and last year’s partner Bethany Mota.
“Honestly, it wasn’t that hard last season. Bethany and Derek together, that’s what I was judging,” she explained.
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As for what the judges’ table will look like following Len’s departure, Julianne said it’s up in the air.
“We haven’t really talked about that, I’m not really sure. I just know that I’m going to be back this season, which will be exciting. It kind of took me a few weeks to settle into it and now I’m like, ‘I got this!'” she said.
Adding, “Len is amazing and he makes the show what it’s been. I don’t know what’s gonna happen, if they’re gonna fill a fourth judge, or if we’re just going to have to turn up our grumpiness.”
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“Dancing with the Stars” returns to ABC on March 16.
— Jesse Spero
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