Julianne Hough Steps Into Movie Star Status

Julianne Hough first earned fans as a professional dancer on the hit ABC show, 'Dancing With the Stars,' and then gained an entirely new audience as a country music singer. Now, she is officially a triple-threat. Appearing in the movie 'Burlesque' opposite Cher and Christina Aguilera late last year, the blond beauty also just finished filming 'Footloose.' Julianne plays the female lead, Ariel Moore, originally portrayed by Lori Singer.

"I'm real excited about it. It's very true to the original, so I don't think people will be too disappointed about it being remade," she said on 'Live! With Regis and Kelly' this week. "I was in 'Burlesque' as well, but that was just a small role. But it was amazing. So much fun."

Her younger brother, Derek Hough, is also a dancer on 'DWTS,' but has announced he is taking this season off to appear in the upcoming flick, 'Cobu 3D.' Julianne says she will be following in her older brother's footsteps, stepping away from the hit show. "I probably will be, too," she announces. "I'm really excited for Derek, too, because he has so many talents, and I can't wait for everybody to see them."

Julianne's aspiring acting career isn't the only thing keeping the Utah native on the West Coast. She's dating the L.A.-based 'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest. "He's a really, really wonderful guy ... very smart," she gushes.

The fitness-driven star is also appearing in a new ad for the 'Got Milk?' campaign, which she says is a highlight of her career. "It's so exciting because obviously growing up you'd see all the athletes and Olympians and all those big stars on those big ads," she recalls. "It's really empowering for young girls and people to look up to those things."

Being up close and personal with the famous commercial did allow Julianne to de-mystify one of the trademarks of the ads. "I did [wear the mustache]," she reveals. "I have to tell you, there's a special guy that has been there for probably 25 years ... it's made out of this stuff that I don't think anyone knows." But, she continues, it does offer one unexpected perk. "It tastes really good!"

'Footloose,' which also stars Kenny Wormald, Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell, is scheduled for an October release.

Julianne's sophomore album, 'Wildfire,' will hit stores later this year.