Shrieks and squeals resounded from the showroom floor as Julianne Hough of TV's “Dancing with the Stars” appeared at an invitation-only event for more than 200 clients at Park Place Lexus in Grapevine, TX.
“I mentioned my relationship with Julianne to Park Place's leadership team,” says Terry Hough, Julianne's uncle, a Park Place sales consultant. “They agreed it would be a great opportunity to give our clients a special experience. It's not often you can meet a star like Julianne in such an intimate setting.”
The dealership invited several local dance troupes to perform for Hough, 19, whom the TV newsmagazine show 20/20 describes as one of the “very best dancers on the planet.”
She has won several international titles and is the youngest professional dancer to have competed on “Dancing with the Stars.”
She won the overall title in her very first year on the show with dance partner, Apolo Anton Ohno, an Olympic speed skater. She reprised her championship the next season, this time paired with race car driver Helio Castroneves.
Several groups of young dancers performed during her appearance at the dealership. A group of boys did a hip-hop routine. A girls' group tap danced. A troupe of teen-aged girls performed a classical dance number.
Hough gave them all perfect 10s on their performances. She also fielded audience inquiries during a Q&A session.
Asked if she will return to “Dancing with the Stars” next season, she says that while she is still under contract, “it's their option whether to invite me back next season. We don't usually find out until about a week before the show.
“And, no, we don't know who our new partner will be, so don't even ask.”
Asked about her relationship with her co-champ Castroneves, she insists they are “just friends” but talk almost daily. She and he currently are touring together on the national “Dancing with the Stars” live tour.
Meanwhile, she finished work on a country music album. Last May, she released her first single, “Will You Dance with Me” on iTunes, where it rose to No. 8 on the iTunes chart of top country songs.
“Maybe we can get Julianne to come back for an album release party,” says Terry Hough. The crowd roars its approval.
Founded in 1987, Park Place Dealerships represents luxury brands in Texas and California including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lexus, Volvo, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maserati.
