Julianne Hough opens up about returning to film with 'The Bride!'

Julianne Hough has made a comeback to the film industry after taking several years off from acting.

The 37-year-old performer appears in the new film The Bride!, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, alongside stars Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale.

Speaking to People at the movie’s U.S. premiere in New York City on March 3, Hough shared her excitement about returning to the big screen.

“It’s expressive, it gets explosive, and everybody is just outrageously good at what they do,” she said of the project.

“To be at this caliber of talent with this incredible film, for it being the first film I’ve done in many, many years, I am so honored.”

While the movie is not a musical, Hough said it still incorporates movement in ways she found exciting as a performer.

Hough built her acting résumé in the early 2010s with films such as Burlesque, Footloose, Rock of Ages, and Safe Haven.

In recent years, however, she has largely focused on television, most notably serving as co-host of Dancing with the Stars alongside Alfonso Ribeiro since 2023.

The new role marked a meaningful opportunity for Hough to reconnect with acting.

“I think the message of women’s voices being heard in a new way,” she explained when asked what drew her back to film. “I couldn’t imagine a better way and time to have that come through.”

She added that the story feels particularly relevant in today’s cultural climate.

“It was an exciting time for me to dip back in with something that was so profound,” Hough said. “I’m so ready to tell really heartfelt stories again and really create impact.”