Julianne Hough Divorced: Unpacking Her Split From Brooks Laich

The news that Julianne Hough divorced her husband, Brooks Laich, sent ripples through Hollywood and among fans who had followed their seemingly idyllic romance. For years, the professional dancer and actress, known for her captivating performances on "Dancing with the Stars," and the former NHL player presented a picture of marital bliss. However, behind the public smiles, a complex story unfolded, culminating in a separation that eventually led to the final dissolution of their marriage. This article delves into the journey of Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich's relationship, from their initial courtship to the challenging path of their divorce, offering insights into the factors that contributed to their split and how both individuals have navigated their lives since. We'll explore the timeline of events, the candid revelations from Julianne herself, and Brooks's new chapter, providing a comprehensive look at one of the most talked-about celebrity divorces in recent memory.

Understanding the intricacies of a public separation, especially one involving beloved figures like Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich, requires looking beyond the headlines. It involves piecing together public statements, court documents, and personal reflections to paint a clearer picture of what transpired. As fans sought answers regarding why Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich divorced, both parties, in their own time, offered glimpses into the private struggles that ultimately led them to part ways. This exploration aims to provide a detailed, empathetic, and factual account, respecting the personal nature of their journey while satisfying the public's curiosity with well-researched information.

Table of Contents

• Julianne Hough: A Brief Biography
• The Love Story Begins: Julianne and Brooks
• Signs of Trouble: Separation Announced
• The Formal Filing: Hough Initiates Divorce
  • Irreconcilable Differences Cited
  • The Role of a Prenup
• The Road to Finalization: A Two-Year Journey
  • Official Divorce Judgement
  • Property Division
• Julianne's Reflections on the Marriage
• Brooks Laich Moves On: A New Chapter
• Life After Divorce: Moving Forward

Julianne Hough: A Brief Biography

Julianne Alexandra Hough is a multi-talented American dancer, actress, singer, and television personality. Born on July 20, 1988, in Orem, Utah, she rose to prominence as a professional dancer on the ABC reality competition series "Dancing with the Stars," which now streams on Disney+. Her dynamic performances and charming personality quickly made her a fan favorite, leading her to win two seasons with her celebrity partners. Beyond the ballroom, Hough has showcased her versatility in various acting roles, including films like "Footloose" (2011), "Rock of Ages" (2012), and "Safe Haven" (2013), as well as live television musicals such as "Grease: Live!" (2016). Her career also extends to music, with her debut self-titled country album released in 2008, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Julianne has consistently remained in the public eye, not just for her professional achievements but also for her personal life, including her high-profile relationships. Her marriage to Brooks Laich was one such significant chapter, and the eventual news that Julianne Hough divorced him garnered considerable media attention.

Personal Data & Biodata

Attribute	Detail
Full Name	Julianne Alexandra Hough
Date of Birth	July 20, 1988
Age (as of 2024)	36
Place of Birth	Orem, Utah, U.S.
Occupation	Dancer, Actress, Singer, TV Personality
Known For	Dancing with the Stars, Film Roles, Music
Former Spouse	Brooks Laich (m. 2017; div. 2022)

The Love Story Begins: Julianne and Brooks

Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich's romance began in late 2013, a story that seemed straight out of a fairy tale. Brooks Laich, a former professional hockey player, known for his career in the NHL, particularly with the Washington Capitals, met Julianne through a mutual friend. Their connection was instant and palpable. After a whirlwind courtship, the couple announced their engagement in August 2015, two years after they first met. Their wedding, held in July 2017 near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, was a picturesque event, widely covered by celebrity news outlets. Surrounded by family and friends, including Julianne's brother Derek Hough, the couple exchanged vows in what appeared to be the beginning of a beautiful lifelong journey together. For years, they shared glimpses of their life, from adventurous travels to cozy home moments, portraying a strong and loving bond. Fans adored their seemingly perfect union, and their relationship often served as an inspiration, making the eventual news that Julianne Hough divorced Brooks Laich all the more surprising and disheartening for many. The public perceived them as a power couple, blending the worlds of entertainment and professional sports, and their shared enthusiasm for fitness and healthy living further solidified their image as a harmonious pair.

Signs of Trouble: Separation Announced

Despite the outward appearance of a strong marriage, whispers of trouble began to surface in early 2020. The couple spent the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic quarantining separately, with Julianne in Los Angeles and Brooks at their Idaho home. This physical distance seemed to mirror an emotional one. By May 2020, after months of speculation and noticeable changes in their social media presence, Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich officially announced their separation. In a joint statement, they expressed that they had "lovingly and carefully taken the time to honestly and respectfully separate as a couple." They emphasized their continued love and respect for each other, stating that they would "continue to share a beautiful friendship." This announcement, while carefully worded, confirmed what many fans had suspected. It marked the beginning of the end for their marriage, paving the way for the eventual news that Julianne Hough divorced her husband. The public reaction was one of sadness and curiosity, as many tried to understand what could have led to the breakdown of a relationship that seemed so strong.

The Formal Filing: Hough Initiates Divorce

Following their separation announcement in May 2020, it took several months for the formal legal proceedings to begin. Five months later, in November 2020, Julianne Hough officially filed for divorce from Brooks Laich. This step confirmed that despite earlier hopes of reconciliation that some fans and media outlets entertained, the couple was indeed moving forward with ending their marriage. Hough, who was 32 at the time, initiated the divorce proceedings in Los Angeles on a Monday, according to court documents. This filing solidified the couple's decision to legally part ways, transforming their separation into a formal divorce process. The news broke on Tuesday, November 2, that the "Dancing with the Stars" alum had filed for divorce, signaling a definitive end to their marital union.

Irreconcilable Differences Cited

In her filing, Julianne Hough cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the divorce. This is a common legal ground for divorce in California and many other states, indicating that the marriage has broken down to the point where it cannot be repaired, without necessarily assigning blame to one party. It allows for a less contentious legal process, focusing on the mutual agreement that the marriage is no longer viable. For the public, however, the term "irreconcilable differences" often leaves room for speculation about the underlying issues that led to the split. Julianne's later candid reflections would shed more light on these "differences," going beyond the legal jargon.

The Role of a Prenup

Adding another layer of detail to their separation, it was revealed that Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich had a prenuptial agreement in place. New court documents obtained by various media outlets confirmed the existence of this premarital agreement, which laid out the financial details of their divorce. A key aspect of their prenup was that it included no spousal support, meaning neither party would be required to pay alimony to the other after the divorce was finalized. This pre-emptive agreement simplified the financial aspects of their split, allowing for a smoother, albeit still emotionally challenging, legal process. The presence of a prenup is common among high-net-worth individuals and celebrities, designed to protect individual assets acquired before and during the marriage, and it certainly streamlined the process for Julianne Hough divorced from Brooks Laich.

The Road to Finalization: A Two-Year Journey

The path from filing for divorce to its finalization can often be lengthy, even with a prenuptial agreement. For Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich, it took nearly two years from the initial filing in November 2020 for their divorce to be officially finalized. This period allowed for the necessary legal steps to be completed, including the division of assets and property, ensuring all aspects of their shared life were properly addressed.

Official Divorce Judgement

The divorce was officially finalized in June 2022. According to court documents obtained by ET, the pair's divorce judgment was signed off on June 10, 2022, and subsequently filed with the Superior Court of Los Angeles. This marked the official legal end of their marriage, making Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich officially divorced. The finalization brought a definitive close to a chapter that had begun with their separation announcement more than two years prior. It provided both individuals with the legal closure needed to fully move forward with their lives.

Property Division

As part of the divorce finalization, Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich officially divvied up their property. While the specifics of their property division were not extensively detailed in public records, the existence of their prenuptial agreement likely streamlined this process significantly. Premarital agreements typically outline how assets acquired during the marriage will be divided, preventing prolonged disputes over finances and property. This aspect of their divorce settlement underscored the pragmatic approach they took to disentangling their shared financial life, allowing for a relatively clean break once the legal process was complete. The absence of spousal support, as stipulated in their prenup, further simplified the financial settlement, allowing both parties to retain their individual earnings and assets.

Julianne's Reflections on the Marriage

After the finalization of her divorce, Julianne Hough began to share more rare and candid insights into her marriage with Brooks Laich and what truly caused their divorce. The "Dancing with the Stars" host opened up in various interviews, reflecting on her past relationships and, specifically, her failed marriage to the former Canadian ice hockey player. One significant revelation Julianne made was that her ex-husband Brooks Laich making her feel like a "little girl" contributed to their divorce. This insight suggests a dynamic within the marriage where Julianne felt infantilized or perhaps stifled in her personal growth and autonomy. She alluded to a sense of needing to break free from certain constraints or expectations within the relationship to truly find herself. Julianne also took to Instagram stories to talk about her views on romantic love, platonic love, and her divorce, offering cryptic but telling messages about her emotional journey. The dancer and TV personality got candid about her split, admitting that she "didn't find her happy ending with Brooks Laich" and was in the process of "retelling the sad chapter" of her life. These reflections highlight a deeper, more personal struggle beyond the legal "irreconcilable differences," pointing to fundamental incompatibilities or evolving individual paths that ultimately led to the end of their union. Her willingness to share these vulnerable details provided fans with a more human understanding of the complexities that can lead to a celebrity divorce.

Brooks Laich Moves On: A New Chapter

While Julianne Hough was reflecting on her past, Brooks Laich began to embark on a new chapter in his personal life. After the divorce from Julianne Hough, Brooks Laich started dating Katrín Davíðsdóttir, an Icelandic former CrossFit athlete, in 2021. Their relationship quickly blossomed, and the couple became more public with their romance, often sharing glimpses of their life together on social media. Their relationship progressed steadily, leading to a significant milestone. The Canadian hockey star and Icelandic athlete announced their engagement in December 2024, signaling their commitment to building a future together. This exciting news was followed by another joyful announcement: the couple revealed that they're expecting and are going to be parents soon, most likely in fall 2025. This series of events clearly indicates that Brooks Laich has found new happiness and is building a family with Katrín Davíðsdóttir, moving forward positively after the conclusion of his marriage to Julianne. His new relationship and impending fatherhood mark a distinct and happy new phase in his life, demonstrating that both individuals have found paths to fulfillment post-divorce.

Life After Divorce: Moving Forward

The journey of Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich, from their public romance to the eventual news that Julianne Hough divorced her husband, serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities inherent in all relationships, especially those under the intense scrutiny of the public eye. Both Julianne and Brooks have, in their own ways, navigated the aftermath of their separation and divorce, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to personal growth. Julianne, now 36, continues to thrive in her career, exploring new artistic avenues and sharing her evolving perspectives on life and love. She has embraced a more authentic self, using her experiences to connect with her audience on a deeper level. Brooks, at 41, has found profound happiness in his relationship with Katrín Davíðsdóttir, building a new family and embracing the joys of impending parenthood. Their story underscores that while the end of a marriage can be painful, it often paves the way for new beginnings and opportunities for self-discovery and growth. For fans who were curious to know why Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich divorced, the insights shared by Julianne and the visible new chapter for Brooks provide a comprehensive answer, illustrating that sometimes, parting ways is the necessary step for both individuals to find their true paths to happiness. If you found this deep dive into Julianne Hough's divorce insightful, consider sharing it with others who might be interested. What are your thoughts on how public figures navigate such personal challenges? Share your comments below, and explore other articles on our site for more celebrity news and relationship insights.