Julianne Hough dances into movies with 'Burlesque'

"FOOTLOOSE"

Looking back, Hough said the entire 'Burlesque' experience prepared her for playing the lead female in the remake of the 1984 dance movie "Footloose," which recently wrapped shooting. The film is slated for release next year.

"On 'Burlesque,' I learned the logistics of filmmaking and figured out my comfort zone," said Hough. "By the time I shot 'Footloose,' I felt prepared and could focus on the acting."

Playing Ariel, a role originated by Lori Singer in the original movie, involved some dancing, but ironically the character -- a rebellious preacher's daughter in small town Georgia -- is not supposed to be a good dancer.

"I actually had to, not quite 'dumb down' my dancing, but try not to dance as full out as I usually do," Hough said.

That was hard for someone who has been a champion much of her life. Growing up in Utah, Hough was dancing competitively by age 9, and at 12-years-old she was singing in a pop band with her brother, Derek, and Mark Ballas (both also on "Dancing With the Stars"). By age 15, she was crowned Junior World Latin Champion and International Latin Youth Champion.

Moving to Los Angeles after high school, Hough appeared in commercials before joining "Dancing" in its fourth season. She was partnered with Olympic gold medalist speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno. They ended up winning.

"That was the defining moment of, 'We know who this girl is now,'" said Hough of her big break on the show. "I remember we were dancing the Samba, I had my little tiger outfit on and it was like my coming out party. The recognition factor and the opportunities just started coming in after that."

Though back-to-back movies have left Hough with a desire to do more films, she is currently working on her second country album. It's a follow up to her self-titled debut in 2008, and her hope is to have it out sometime in mid-2011.

Despite her busy schedule, Hough has had time for romance. She has been dating "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest since the spring, and said he is "very inspiring" given his "Idol" duties, radio shows and job as a producer of reality TV programs such as "Keeping Up With the Kardashians."

"I'm so driven and motivated on my own, so to be in his presence is, like, 10 times more," said Hough. "We complement each other very well."