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Julianne Hough: Just Steps Away From Footloose?

Wed., Jun. 3, 2009 2:00 PM PDT by Marc Malkin

Denise Truscello/Getty Images

Guess who loves Julianne Hough?

Kenny Ortega, the director of the upcoming remake of Footloose.

Nope, the Dancing With the Stars hoofer and country singer hasn't landed the female lead opposite Chace Crawford yet, but...

"I love her," Ortega tells me. "I adore her. I'm a big fan of hers. Not only how beautiful but how deep her talent goes."

Ortega, the man behind the High School Musical cameras, was more restrained when asked if Hough will indeed be Crawford's leading lady.

"Maybe," he said with a grin.

Hough has been just as coy. "I don't want to say anything until it's a 100 percent thing," she recently told Ohio's WTAP News.

As for Crawford, Ortega says he nailed it at his audition. "He left his apartment at 4:30 a.m. in New York, flew across the U.S. and walked through the door," he recalls. "He was ready, open, no excuses, just dove in. So disciplined. He's colorful, smart, musical, sexy and fun.

"There were 12 of us there, and you could see the little smirks going up," he continues. "Everyone was smiling when he walked out the door."

Should Hough be in Footloose? We say yes, but wanna hear from you, too. Let us know what you think.

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