DWTS fans have asked the same question since 2007: Did Julianne Hough and Apolo Anton Ohno ever date? The answer is no—and both of them have said so on the record. Eighteen years after their Season 4 win, the duo reunites during Dancing with the Stars’ 20th Anniversary Celebration episode on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, as Ohno returns to the ballroom for a dance relay that also features Season 34 gymnast Jordan Chiles. The anniversary setup and their history are outlined in partner outlets TV Insider and Swooon.
How the rumor started—and what the two actually said
Hough was 18 years old when she joined Dancing with the Stars as a professional in Season 4 (2007). She came out of the gate hot, winning her first two seasons with partners Apolo Anton Ohno and Hélio Castroneves—success that supercharged fan speculation about an off‑floor romance. TV Insider’s excerpt places Hough’s initial DWTS arc and the reunion details in the same frame, while the full Swooon piece compiles the on‑the‑record denials and timeline touchstones.
Right after their Mirrorball win, Ohno shut the door on the chatter. “We have kept our relationship professional from the very beginning,” he said, adding that they’d become “great friends” and punctuating it with, “So no, sorry.” Swooon also quotes a follow‑up where he described their bond as “strictly professional” and “sometimes goofy,” pointing to strong dance‑floor chemistry as a sign he was doing his job, not evidence of a secret relationship.
Years later, Hough delivered the same message with a wink. Reflecting on the show’s reputation for showmances, she joked, “Everybody thought I was hooking up with my partner, Apolo. Never in a million years.” The Swooon timeline adds that when she and Ohno were partnered, she was still figuring things out with childhood friend Zack Wilson, whom she was engaged to at 18. After winning the Mirrorball with Ohno in May 2007, she confirmed she and Wilson were still together but postponed an August wedding before the pair ultimately split in November 2007.
Timeline: then vs. now
- 2007: Hough debuts as a pro at 18 and wins Season 4 with Ohno, then wins again with Hélio Castroneves.
- May 2007: Following the win, Hough remains publicly linked to Zack Wilson; the couple postpones their planned August wedding and later splits by November 2007.
- November 11, 2025: For the franchise’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, Ohno returns to take part in the dance relay with Jordan Chiles, reuniting with Hough in the ballroom 18 years after their championship.
What the reunion means for Dancing with the Stars
Anniversary specials thrive on legacy, and few DWTS partnerships loom larger than Hough–Ohno. Hough’s path—from breakout pro to guest judge, full‑time judge, and now cohost—shows how the series embraces alumni across roles. Bringing Ohno back on November 11, 2025 stitches the franchise’s past to its present, while giving Jordan Chiles a relay partner from one of the show’s most beloved runs. It’s a programming move that recalls why the 2007 title resonated and why those routines still circulate on highlight reels.
Why this particular rumor stuck
Ballroom dance sells connection. Latin and standard dances demand trust, eye contact, and the illusion of romance. When a pair is both technically sharp and dramatically convincing—and then wins—fans often assume the chemistry is real. That’s the feedback loop around Hough and Ohno. Add Hough’s rapid ascent inside the franchise and Ohno’s Olympic profile, and the duo became a cornerstone of DWTS mythology. Their own words, however, have stayed consistent and unambiguous across years of interviews: friendship and professionalism, not dating.
Cast & contestant context
- Julianne Hough — two‑time Mirrorball champion, former judge, and current cohost.
- Apolo Anton Ohno — Olympic speed skater and Season 4 champion with Hough.
- Hélio Castroneves — IndyCar driver and Hough’s other early‑career championship partner.
- Jordan Chiles — Olympic gymnast, competing in Season 34 and featured in the anniversary dance relay.
Where they are personally in 2025
Apolo Anton Ohno’s current relationship status is unclear in public reporting; he was previously linked to actress Bianca Stam. Julianne Hough is not publicly in a relationship as of November 2025. She married Brooks Laich in 2017; they separated in 2020 and finalized the divorce in 2022. Hough has also discussed her personal growth, including coming out as “not straight” in 2019.
Addressing the headline question one last time
Despite years of chatter, there’s no evidence—only denials. The quotes are the record. Ohno: “We have kept our relationship professional from the very beginning…,” and “So no, sorry.” Hough: “Everybody thought I was hooking up with my partner, Apolo. Never in a million years.” As DWTS celebrates its 20th anniversary on November 11, 2025, their reunion is about legacy, not romance.
DWTS takeaways
- Season 4 (2007) remains a cornerstone of the franchise’s history, cemented by Hough–Ohno’s title run.
- “Anniversary” episodes are more than nostalgia; they re‑contextualize the present competition by pairing current contenders like Jordan Chiles with alumni.
- Rumors fade; on‑the‑record quotes endure. In their own words, the partnership stayed professional.
Conclusion: DWTS history, clarified
DWTS thrives on chemistry, but it also thrives on clarity. Between the explicit denials from Apolo Anton Ohno and Julianne Hough, the dates that bookend their partnership (2007 and November 11, 2025), and the names that connect those eras (Hélio Castroneves, Jordan Chiles), the record is straightforward. Enjoy the reunion for what it is: a victory lap for a gold‑standard duo whose connection lives where it started—on the dance floor.
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