Julianne Hough Shocks Fans Revealing She Had a Cyst Burst Live on TV — Marks 20th Anniversary of Dancing with the Stars

Julianne Hough knows that when life throws you lemons – you keep on dancing!

In honor of Dancing with the Stars’ 20th anniversary, Hough, 36, shared a lengthy Instagram post, reflecting on her journey with the franchise that she joined at 18 years old. Hough detailed her highs and lows on the show, including having a cyst burst on live television.

“I ended up winning my first two seasons, had a cyst burst on live TV (yep, that happened),” she wrote.

Reflecting more on her experience, Hough described her journey as "incredibly magical, unpredictable and emotional."

“It’s not just about dancing, it’s about courage," she wrote. "It’s about what happens when you put yourself out there live and exposed in front of the world but held with so much care. We’ve all been changed by it."

She also said she’s grateful that her role on the show has come full circle, from professional dancer “fresh out of Utah with $2000 in my pocket after training in London” to "co hosting the show that quite literally raised me. I’ve gotten to experience nearly every role this show has to offer, and each one has taught me something new.”

In the comment section, Hough’s brother and DWTS judge, Derek Hough, praised his sister’s strength for not missing a beat while dealing with a cyst. Healthline describes a cyst as “a small pocket of tissue often filled with fluid or pus.” 

John Hopkins Medicine says “a cyst that ruptures may cause no symptoms, or only mild symptoms. Ruptured cysts that cause mild symptoms can often be managed with pain medicine.”

"Winning your first 2 seasons back 🏆to back 🏆at 18 yrs old is a serious flex,” Derek, 40, commented underneath his sister’s Instagram post. 

“I remember your dance with piano you were just after the surgery/ you are incredible both you and your brother/ big inspiration,” a fan wrote. While another added, “You were that girl Julianne 😍.”

This isn’t the first time that Hough has opened up about her experience with a health scare while being a professional dancer. In a June 2020 Women's Health cover story, Hough detailed her journey with endometriosis, the reproductive condition in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing cramping and chronic pain. 

Hough explained how focusing on her energy helped manage her pain symptoms. 

“I will tell you, through this transformation of really connecting back to my truth, I haven’t had symptoms of endometriosis because of the love and kindness I’m giving to my body,” Hough, who founded dance-based fitness program, KINRGY, said. 

She continued, “I believe there’s stress, shame, guilt, and suppression of female energy that’s associated with endometriosis, so de-layering that has really helped.”

The last time Hough hit the stage as a DWTS pro was in November 2025, saying, “I wish I could just get out there” before revealing her dance costume she had hidden underneath her dress.

“Seeing all these amazing dances and dancers out there all season long reminds me of when I was a pro back in the day. And oh, my gosh, I wish I could just get out there and dance sometimes. In fact, why don’t we do that?,” she said.