As we transition into the end-of-summer weeks, Julianne Hough is busy. Currently in production on The Bride, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, she’ll co-star alongside Christian Bale, Annette Bening and Penelope Cruz in the highly anticipated title. To add to the to-do list, Hough dropped a new song drop last Friday, and she’s gearing up for her exciting debut as an author with the release of her novel thriller Everything We Never Knew, releasing tomorrow. It’s clear that this fictional novel, loosely based on Hough’s life, has her excited.
What was the hardest thing about getting this book to the finish line?
I wrote this in 2020 when the pandemic started, so there was time and energy to focus but it was also during the biggest transformation of my life. My world started unraveling. As much as I was expanding and having all this creativity and flow to share my personal story, it was also one of the hardest times of my life. I like to call it my “death hole pit of shit” era. When I was in the middle of writing it, I had to stop and pick it back up because I felt like I was out of integrity with how I was feeling versus how I was writing. I needed to take a break, and once I came back to it in 2022, I reread it and thought “this is really good, I need to finish this.” Now, I’m just so excited for it to come out.
What do you think readers will enjoy most about it?
I think the readers will enjoy going on a supernatural journey of self-discovery and exploration in a way that’s not intimidating, but inviting. I think it will open up a new sense of curiosity in spirituality, unravel patterns and systems we’ve built to protect us and be able to be excited about uncovering their most authentic selves. I think readers will get insight into really deep understanding and be able to go inward in a way that feels adventurous and fun, and be able to embrace the joy of transformation instead of the fear of change.
You’ve conquered a lot of industries—are there any that are left that you’d like to get into?
I have been in a lot of different industries! I love lifestyle in general; I love being a part of anything that is the same thread of identity, self-discovery, empathy and love and allowing people to feel as fully expressed as they can. I started in dance, then went to music, acting, entrepreneurship, wellness, beauty and fashion—all of that is about authentic self-expression. That throughline can be in any industry and there’s openings for that everywhere.
What does your wellness and fitness routine look like right now?
My wellness routine is a bit hectic and all over the place right now with a busy book tour and other projects coming out, but I am very consistent with taking my dog for walks twice a day around my neighborhood. Not only is it hilly and a good workout, but it’s based off of connection; I have so many amazing neighbors on that loop so it’s great for my mental and emotional health to connect with amazing people every day. I also have my go-to lemon water in the morning, sometimes a celery juice for nutrients and detoxing and always eat my veggies and protein. Movement is essential for me—as long as I’m moving my body and feel like my energy is flowing, it keeps me motivated and inspired.
What do you do for relaxation?
I love water. I’ll take baths, I’ll go into the pool, I’ll take a nice shower, go to the steam room or sauna, cold plunge–anything that’s getting me sweating or relaxing. I also love meditations, sound baths, putting on music, reading a book, or just absolutely chilling and doing nothing.
As a performer and actress, you have to wear lot of makeup. What do you swear by to keep your skin healthy?
I have worn so much makeup over the course of my career, starting when I was about eight years old. I feel like I have done more of a “makeunder” than a “makeover” in the last few years to keep my skin healthy and clear. I mix my products up every once in a while just for variety and so my skin doesn’t get used to one thing, but I definitely have a night routine with different products I change up. I do love Oak Essentials, I feel like that is really nice, beautiful, clean beauty.
What are you most excited for as summer winds down?
I’m most excited about the summer winding down because the book will be out and I will have released my music, which is a project that came through me as an artist and not just a performer. This really came from me, so to have it done and finished is so exciting. It gives me a sense of pride to have accomplished something I conceptualized and has been four years in the making. Also, Dancing with the Stars is coming back up, so I’m really excited to be back on the show with my dance family. I’ll also probably be starting new projects as well!
