Dancing with the Stars had plenty to offer audiences during Season 22, from the fabulous moves of Nyle Dimarco to the not-so-fabulous moves of Geraldo Rivera, but there was one glaring absence. Well, two of them. Siblings Derek and Julianne Hough both opted out of returning to the ABC hit last season for different reasons, but fans can start interpreting their cheer through motion, because both of them will return for Season 23. And it looks like Derek was able to come back due to his upcoming Broadway production getting pushed until later next year. Here's how he optimistically viewed the delay.
It frees me up to do some other things too, so it's kind of fun. Broadway's one of my plans, it's in my cards, it's happening, but right now it's leaving me open. Plans change a little bit, so now I have some time to create some fun opportunities, some fun things, including Hairspray.
That sounds almost exactly like what Derek Hough was saying whenever he decided to opt out of Dancing with the Stars for Season 22. It was back in March when he'd made the decision to step down from the show, and that was soon after he'd been cast for Singin' in the Rain on Broadway. The show was scheduled to kick off near the end of this year or in early January 2017, but news broke some weeks back that the production is being held back until some point deeper into the year, so now the male Hough sibling now has some free time on his hands, and it makes total sense that he'd make his way back to the place he's mostly called home since 2007.
It is still surprising that Derek Hough chose to do it, considering he'll be in rehearsals for NBC's upcoming Hairspray! Live in the middle of the Dancing with the Stars season. And considering how many times he's won, we can't expect him to be out of the running at the mid-point. I guess it helps being one of the most limber people on TV.
News of Derek and Julianne Hough heading back to Dancing with the Stars was reported by E! News, who had also spoken with Hough about his next stage performance. Sister Julianne's reasoning for going back isn't as clear, considering she didn't seem to be suffering away from the show. Since last sitting at the judges' table for Season 21, she played Sandy in Grease: Live, appeared in Dirty Grandpa and ate a meal made from caterpillars and elephant poop on Running Wild with Bear Grylls. Well, I guess I'd go back anywhere other than wherever that meal is served.
The full list of celebs and dancers - which possibly includes infamous swimmer and liar Ryan Lochte - will be revealed on Good Morning America on Tuesday, August 30. Will we hear about any surprise returns or exits in the meantime? Keep an ear to the ground, just not on the dance floor.
