NOT SKINNY BUT NOT FAT
Host: Amanda Hirsch
Guest: Julianne Hough
Episode: “Julianne Hough: New Jules Who Dis?”
Date: September 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this candid and engaging conversation, Amanda Hirsch sits down with Julianne Hough, the multifaceted host of "Dancing with the Stars," actress, dancer, and businesswoman. The episode delves deep into Julianne’s personal evolution, emotional growth, career transitions, and the new season of "Dancing with the Stars." Expect honest reflections on marriage, identity, hair symbolism, family, and the infamous “viral exorcism video.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Personal Transformation & Self-Discovery

• Excavating Identity:
  Julianne shares that the past seven years have been an “excavation process,” stripping away the roles and expectations she adopted for survival and self-protection.

  • "All the things I put into place of like, you know, the systems of protection of who you think you should be, all of them have gone away. So I'm like, oh, the last thing, I just need to shave my head now." – Julianne (11:14)

• Hair as Expression:
  Her hair changes are an outward reflection of inner transformation. She jokes about wanting to shave her head in Bhutan with a monk to symbolize this latest metamorphosis.

  • “It's my outward expression of whatever I go through internally. I've been through a very big excavation process recently and I'm like, take it off.” – Julianne (10:59)

• Letting Go:
  Recently, she moved out of her home of 11 years, noting how releasing material attachments paralleled her letting go of old versions of herself.

Relationships, Marriage, and Maturity

• Divorce & Growth:
  Julianne reflects on her marriage, divorce, and ongoing personal growth, emphasizing the importance of evolving, and sometimes growing apart with love and maturity rather than resentment.

  • “There was so much love. There was so much safety. My ex-husband was one of the most secure, consistent people… He was such a safe place to activate my own healing and growth.” – Julianne (13:47)
  • She shares about reconnecting with her ex and his fiancée at the lake, which was once special to their relationship, as an act of "reclaiming" and proof of moving on.

• Navigating Family & Sibling Dynamics:
  Julianne candidly addresses the challenges of sharing success and experiences with siblings who chose different life paths, and the importance of open communication to avoid feelings of exclusion or jealousy.

  • “We never wanted to share because we didn't. We were afraid to hurt someone's feelings. But that just grew us further apart… Now we're close and moving through it.” – Julianne (41:58)

Authenticity Beyond Performance

• Being More Than a Performer:
  Julianne, a lifelong entertainer, shares her yearning for “deep intimacy” and showing more unfiltered sides of herself.

  • “I've literally been a performer my whole life… I want to show everybody my messy shit and be accepted for it.” – Julianne (16:18)

• Therapy and Moving Forward:
  The conversation delves into therapy, trauma, and the importance of not being stuck in one’s origin story. Instead, Julianne wants to focus on the present and future, rather than retelling her upbringing in every interview.

The Viral Exorcism Video & Public Perception

• The Story Behind the Video:
  Amanda asks Julianne about the infamous “exorcism/orgasm” video, leading to an honest discussion about alternative healing, somatic therapy, and the backlash that followed.
  • “The body holds all the information… Sometimes when they get into a state or their nervous system calms down, the body will naturally reorganize itself. So as psychopants as it looks… that’s what’s happening in the body.” – Julianne (20:17)
  • Julianne openly discusses how criticism from the public triggered a shutdown period, calling it her “death hole pit of shit era,” but how she has recently reclaimed her confidence and authenticity.
  • “I can either just do this and be isolated in my fear of what everybody else is gonna think, or I can have an exorcism out of my butthole and know that I don't care.” – Julianne (31:51)

Navigating Life Transitions

• Moving to New York for Healing:
  A change in scenery played a vital role in Julianne’s emotional recovery post-divorce, as she temporarily relocated to New York, finding a renewed sense of self and confidence.

• Egg Freezing Journey:
  Julianne candidly details her struggles with endometriosis, her choice to freeze her eggs multiple times over the years, and the impact of mind-body healing on her egg yield.

  • “From the first time I did it to this third time, and the emotional and trauma healing… I got like 3 my first time. I got 21 my third one.” – Julianne (51:40)
  • “I would still love to get pregnant naturally if I can, but this is just like a safety thing.” – Julianne (53:04)

"Dancing with the Stars": Hosting and New Season

• From Dancer to Host:
  Julianne contrasts the intensity of being a pro dancer versus hosting, expressing gratitude for her current, less taxing role.

  • "As a dancer it's the hardest thing ever… I'm just like, exhale, thank God I don't have to do that." – Julianne (54:03)

• Nurturing Contestants:
  She now relishes her “mama energy” as a host, supporting contestants from an objective place and celebrating their growth.

• Secretly Judge-y?
  Admits she still secretly judges—but constructively!—and enjoys pointing out details as a former pro.

  • “Always. Okay. I'm literally like, you know, are you, like, pointing things out?… Oh, I would love to be able to share that with them.” – Julianne (54:49)

• Dancing Legacy & Family Quirks:
  Amanda and Julianne share laughter about awkward sibling dance moments (rumba with her brother Derek!), the quirks of ballroom culture, and responding to Ai-generated stories that get her family history wildly wrong.

  • “While they had a close bond, they were not a couple. Huff’s first love was Derek.” [Amanda reading an AI search result] (57:31)

• Dancing with the Stars for “Normies”?
  Discussion about the public’s desire for a regular-people edition.

  • “I want to go on that journey. I want to feel confident, I want to feel sexy, I want to lose weight, I want to learn how to dance. The thing underneath it… I want to come alive.” – Julianne (64:35)

• 2025 Season Cast and Predictions:
  The cast includes Dylan Efron, Mormon wives Jen and Whitney, Robert Irwin, Alex Earle, and Hilaria Baldwin, among others. Julianne diplomatically avoids picking a winner but predicts “firecracker” energy from Dylan and his partner Daniella.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Deprecating Humor & Taking Risks:
  “It’s important to me for guests to know, like, I’m in it with you…What a stalker I am, outside of your house.” – Amanda (07:23)

• On Outgrowing Old Narratives:
  “I actually am more curious to see where I go than where I came from.” – Julianne (18:09)

• On Public Perception vs. Personal Truth:
  “From the outside, everything looks great because I'm a great performer…And then eventually I was just like, well, I can either do this and be isolated in my fear…or I can have an exorcism out of my butthole and not care.” – Julianne (31:51)

• On Family and Success:
  “There is a sadness that maybe there wasn’t an opportunity for them to experience it. They’re so happy, but it’s a ‘what if’… We all have things we desire.” – Julianne (41:29)

• On Hosting vs. Dancing:
  “Now that I’m hosting, I feel like mama energy. I get to be there and I love watching other people shine.” – Julianne (54:15)

• On Validation and Legacy:
  “Some people didn’t know I danced because there’s this whole new generation of kids on TikTok…My brother was like, ‘oh yeah, she’s the OG’…It feels really good to be validated, especially by people you respect.” – Julianne (56:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [08:29] – Julianne’s many nicknames and dog mom life
• [11:07] – "Excavation" process and symbolism of hair
• [13:47] – Marriage, divorce, and maturity
• [16:18] – Quests for authenticity and craving deeper connections
• [20:01] – The viral “exorcism/orgasm” experience explained
• [31:51] – Climbing out of depression and embracing authenticity
• [35:33] – Healing: moving to New York and changing environments
• [49:45] – Egg freezing journey and fertility ups and downs
• [53:34] – Hosting “Dancing with the Stars” and approach to contestants
• [57:31] – Dancing with Derek, family rumors, and sibling dance faux pas
• [62:05] – DWTS cast breakdown and predictions
• [64:35] – Discussion about public demand for a “Dancing with the Normies” edition
• [66:41] – Manifesting friends on the show & friendship with Nina Dobrev

Tone & Vibe

The conversation is full of warmth, laughter, openness, and a refreshing blend of lightness and emotional depth. Amanda’s self-deprecating humor and genuine fangirling mixed with Julianne’s candor make for a vibe that is intimate, relatable, and at times, surprisingly profound.

TL;DR

Julianne Hough opens up with Amanda about transforming her life post-divorce, the symbolism of her hair, lessons from past relationships, healing from trauma, her unique philosophy on movement, and what makes “Dancing with the Stars” special in a reality TV landscape. She shares empowering insights on letting go of the past, being present, and going after authentic joy—even if it means going viral for an “exorcism”! A must-listen for fans of DWTS, anyone navigating change, or those seeking a joyful, honest conversation about personal growth.