ABC Execs Eyeing 'DWTS' Pro Julianne Hough For The Next 'Bachelorette,' Spills Insider
Will she accept this rose?
An insider says producers would love to have Julianne Hough as the next Bachelorette in the hopes of giving the show a major ratings bump. “ABC execs are desperate to shake things up,” explains the insider, pointing out that viewership for the Season 17 premiere with lead Katie Thurston, 30, was an all-time low for the franchise.
Ratings for the current season of the dating show fell even further in the second episode. “Producers think a big name would help,” spills an insider.
“Now that Julianne won’t be returning to Dancing With the Stars this fall, they think people would love to see her somewhere else on the network,” the insider adds. Julianne, 32, who filed for divorce from former hockey pro Brooks Laich, 38, last November and was romantically linked to actor Ben Barnes, 39, earlier this year, “would no doubt be excited by the prospect,” dishes the insider.
Julianne, who recently joked that a “great body” is her biggest turn-on when it comes to dating, “has never been afraid to try new things,” the insider says. “And she would definitely add some spice to the show.” Sounds like she’s The One!
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As OK! previously reported, Julianne Hough is “single and ready to mingle” and is eager to get back out on the playing field.
Hough and Laich started dating in February 2014 before getting married in July 2017 in Idaho where Hough and her family often vacationed throughout the years.
However, the couple announced their split in May 2020, and despite efforts in her marriage with Brooks Laich that included the use of a sex coach and “seeking fertility treatments,” Hough explains that there were ‘irreconcilable differences’ and the relationship had to come to an end.
Hough’s heart “is back on the market” in perfect timing to potentially be ABC’s next Bachelorette, which excites producers tremendously.
