No beef here! Fans are not the only ones excited to see Julianne Hough as a judge on "Dancing With the Stars."
In an interview with Parade Magazine, fellow judge Bruno Tonioli admitted that he is excited to be sitting next to the 26-year-old actress/dancer. Tonioli, who has been on the show since season one, said Hough is more than qualified to sit at the judges' table.
"I think there's a perspective of someone having actually done it and won it, you see. It's not easy, it's a very demanding show," Tonioli told Parade Magazine. "We've all been dancers, but she kind of fits in with the nature of the show, she's not someone just plucked out of nowhere, she's totally qualified to do it."
Last month, Us Weekly reported that the former "DWTS" pro-dancer and two-time champion would be joining the dancing competition show as a fourth judge, alongside Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman.
"And obviously she knows the show inside-out because she's a champion, a great dancer, and she's not afraid to speak her mind. On our show you have to, in a way, stick your neck out a little bit. I love that. I love her energy, she's gorgeous, she knows about dancing, she's done it all and I'm really looking forward to having her next to me. It's wonderful, it's really really good, it's perfect," Tonioli added.
"I'm so excited to be back with my 'Dancing with the Stars' family again on a regular basis," Hough said. "I've always aspired to be an all-around entertainer, whether I'm acting, dancing or singing, and I'm thrilled for this opportunity that will allow me to continue all of those pursuits. Derek and I just finished our Move Live on Tour, which reminded me how much I miss the interaction with the dance fans that have been so supportive of me in my career. I am warming up the paddles and the sass, and I'm ready to have fun in this new role."
"Dancing With the Stars" airs Sept. 15 on ABC at 8 p.m.
