Julianne Hough. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for FIJI Water
Julianne Hough has opened up about her complex relationship with alcohol, revealing that she first tried it at just 11 years old.
On the latest episode of Dax Shepard‘s “Armchair Expert” podcast, the 36-year-old actress shared that her first drink was Baileys Irish Cream. However, it wasn’t until she was 14 and living in London with her brother Derek Hough that she got “really drunk” for the first time.
Julianne recalled a specific incident where she got drunk with her brother and fellow professional dancer Mark Ballas, who was also being trained by his parents, Corky and Shirley Ballas. “I was, like, 14. And then I didn’t drink,” she said.
Many celebrities have ventured into the world of spirits, but only a select few have achieved major success. Take Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder, for example, who turned their friendship into a successful bourbon brand, Brother’s Bond Bourbon. “The reality is we would finish shooting […]
Julianne’s relationship with alcohol continued when she pursued a music career, where drinking was a common practice. “When I started doing country music, everybody drinks on tour, so then I would drink a little bit,” she explained.
However, she clarified that her drinking wasn’t a way to mask any underlying issues, saying, “The stars aligned in that moment.” Julianne also reflected on her addictive patterns, revealing that she used to rely on Nicorette gum, diet pills, and online shopping to cope with stress.
There are several celebrities who have chosen to abstain from alcohol, and they’ve shared their reasons for doing so. While some stars have chosen sobriety, others have opted out of drinking for personal or professional reasons. Take Blake Lively, for example, who has chosen not to imbibe for her own well-being. Though the […]
Julianne felt a sense of relief and gratitude when she finally acknowledged her addictive patterns, saying, “It was like, ‘Oh my God. Thank God I figured this out because that had so much control over me.’ I got it in a way where it was more binging vs. nonstop, so I could hide that so easily and justify it.”
Julianne Hough. John Nacion/FilmMagic
The Dancing With the Stars cohost has previously spoken about how her Mormon upbringing influenced her relationship with alcohol. In a 2013 interview with the New York Post, Julianne revealed that although she no longer practices the religion, she was “so glad” to have been raised Mormon.
Julianne and her brother Derek were raised with strict rules, including “no sex before marriage, no drinking, no caffeine, no smoking, no swear words, no R-rated movies.” After moving away from the religion, Julianne co-founded Fresh Vine Wine with her friend Nina Dobrev in 2021.
The wine brand promotes “low carb, low calorie, low sugar” options, and Julianne has said that she was excited to venture into the world of wine after being exposed to it at 21.
“When I was 21 and of legal drinking age, I had a boyfriend who knew about wine, so I was excited and curious about being able to go to different vineyards and have incredible experiences,” Julianne told Forbes in 2021. “It wasn’t about getting drunk, it was about tasting and differentiating between the different wines.”
