Julianne Hough Web

Julianne Hough knows how to make an entrance. Perhaps that’s not surprising, given that the stunning 19-year-old blonde is the two-time champion of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. But her first moves in country music are impressive even for a quick-footed pro.

After its May 20 release, Hough’s self-titled debut went to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, the highest country debut of an artist since 2006. She was the “it” girl at June’s CMA Music Festival, even before it was announced that she’ll join Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler as hosts of ABC’s CMA Music Festival special airing Sept. 8. Hough, who is touring with Brad Paisley, has been featured on several national magazine covers, and generated tremendous buzz on the Academy of Country Music Awards red carpet in May.

“I had no idea what to expect coming out of the box because I knew I had a great fan base from Dancing with the Stars, but I wasn’t sure how they were going to accept me as a singer,” says Hough, whose first single is “That Song In My Head.”

“First of all, the fact that it got to number one was incredible,” she continues. “The fact that it was number three on the overall Billboard pop charts, I’m dumbfounded. I don’t even know how to react. It’s all crazy.

“The coolest thing about it is that the artists and the fans know about it, so they’ve been coming up to me and congratulating me, and it’s genuine and real,” she says. “They’ve been so supportive and welcoming. It’s pretty cool.

“I don’t think it’s hit me,” she goes on. “It has hit me, but it’s just so hard to believe that, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m just Julianne.’ I can’t believe that ‘just Julianne’ can have a number one country album. Wow! I just said that it it sounded crazy.”

She’s quickly dispelling any preconceived industry notions about a dancer wanting to sing. This just isn’t a passing fancy, but her main career goal.

“This is my real passion,” she says of singing. “I’m not just a sellout that’s coming here who’s just going to have a short-term singing career. I want this to be a long-term singing career … . I’m going to write and play guitar. I’m really serious about this…

I added a small photo from the magazine’s website which can be seen here. If anyone has scans please send them in.

Julianne will be featured in next month’s Shape Magazine. The magazine will be available June 1st. She will be the gorgeous cover girl and I’m so excited for her first real cover spread on a magazine that is not TV Guide. hehe.