Exclusive

Derek and Julianne Hough Are Both Returning to Dancing With the Stars for Season 23

Exclusive: We'll have two sets of siblings on DWTS this fall

By Jean Bentley Aug 29, 2016 11:08 PMTags
Watch: Derek Hough Talks Robert Herjavec and Kym Johnson's Wedding

Update: Derek Hough has officially confirmed his return to Dancing with the Stars, via Instagram

After explaining that Singin' in the Rain has been delayed, he writes, "with my fall schedule freeing up, I'm excited to say that I'll be back on Dancing with the Stars for season 23. It's always great to be back with my DWTS family, coaching, creating, and making lasting memories." 

Check out his full statement below! 

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We'll have double the Chmerkovskiys on Dancing With the Stars this season, and also double the Houghs because both Derek and Julianne Hough are in talks to return to the show for its upcoming 23rd season.

E! News has learned that the Hough siblings are close to officially heading back to the ballroom—Derek as a pro and Julianne once again as a judge. ABC does not comment on casting for the show, but the full celeb lineup will be revealed on Good Morning America on Tuesday.

Derek, who has won six Mirrorball Trophies (most recently with Bindi Irwin in season 21), told us earlier this week when he cohosted TV Therapy that he's gotten a little more free time now that his Broadway production of Singin' In the Rain has been pushed to 2017.

"It frees me up to do some other things too, so it's kind of fun," he said. "Broadway's one of my plans, it's in my cards, it's happening, but right now it's leaving me open. Plans change a little bit, so now I have some time to create some fun opportunities, some fun things, including Hairspray."

Derek is pulling live TV double duty this fall, since he's also starring in NBC's Hairspray Live! as Corny Collins. Fortunately, rehearsals for Hairspray don't start until Oct. 24, so he'll just have the one day job until then. You know, because being a DWTS pro isn't physically demanding and time consuming or anything.

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Will Derek Hough Return to Dancing With the Stars in Season 23?

I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. This fall, I was planning on being immersed in rehearsals for Singin' in the Rain on Broadway, but due to successes of the shows currently running, that project has been delayed because there simply isn't a theatre available. Singin' in the Rain is still very much part of my future plans. With my fall schedule freeing up I'm excited to say that I'll be back on Dancing with the Stars for Season 23. It's always great to be back with my DWTS family, coaching, creating and making lasting memories. I'm grateful to everyone at Hairspray LIVE for enabling me to do double duty on two major productions at the same time this fall. It's going to be a challenge that I'm looking forward to. This next year is gonna be JAM packed with exciting projects and I can't wait to share it ALL with you. Are you guys ready to MOVE? @dancingabc @nbchairspraylive @weinsteinco @abcnetwork @nbctv Video by: @bigmanproductions

A video posted by Derek Hough (@derekhough) on

He revealed to E! News earlier this month that he would never rule out returning to DWTS when the time is right. "I'm not one for closing chapters in that way, especially for something that's so important to me, and that's been like family for so many years," he said while promoting Hairspray Live! at NBC's TCA red carpet. "So, for me in my mind, that door is always open, and we'll see!" 

Meanwhile, Julianne is returning for her third season as DWTS judge after sitting out season 22. "Julianne will always be a part of the Dancing with the Stars family and we hope to see her back in the ballroom in the future," DWTS producer Rob Wade told People at the time of her departure.

"I promise it's not the last you'll see of me in the ballroom," Hough also told the mag. "I will miss being on the panel for season 22, but have a lot of exciting stuff coming that I look forward to sharing."

Hough joins fellow pros Maksim and Val Chmerkovskiy,  Gleb Savchenko, Witney Carson, Artem Chigvintsev, Sharna Burgess, Lindsay Arnold and Sasha Farber. Celeb dancers include Amber Rose, Ryan Lochte, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Terra Jole and Jake T. Austin, with Jojo Fletcher eyed for competition as well.

Find out who else is competing for the Mirrorball Trophy when the full DWTS cast is announced on Good Morning America on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The DWTS season 23 premiere airs Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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