Julianne Hough is looking back at her failed relationships and why they went wrong.
During an episode of Dax Shepard‘s Armchair Expert podcast on Aug. 12, the Dancing with the Stars judge, 36, opened up about her previous relationships and the issues that eventually led to the end of her marriage to Brooks Laich.
“I feel like our relationship and our marriage was exactly right, and the end of it is right too,” she explained. “We both have regrets that it didn’t work out because I don’t think we had the maturity to come together.”
She went on to describe some of the dynamics in their relationship, noting that “he was contracting while I was expanding.”
“We just couldn’t find each other in that,” Hough continued. “We just went into our own protective modes. So we’ve definitely accepted what happened, but we’re sad that it didn’t work out because I’ve only dated great human beings.”
Despite their decision to go their separate ways, the television personality said Laich, 41, had “the greatest heart that I could’ve ever had the privilege of being with.”
Hough and Laich began dating in November 2013 and dated for two years before announcing their engagement on Instagram in August 2015. Soon after the former couple said “I Do” on July 8, 2017, in a romantic, outdoor wedding on Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where Hough spent summer holidays growing up.
“When I introduced Brooks to the lake, he fell in love with this special spot, and we knew this was where we wanted to raise our family and grow old together,” Hough told PEOPLE of their venue at the time. “It just felt right to be married here.”
After quarantining the COVID-19 pandemic apart, and amid growing speculation about their marriage being on the rocks, Hough and Laich announced their decision to separate in a statement shared with PEOPLE in May 2020.
“We have lovingly and carefully taken the time we have needed to arrive at our decision to separate,” they wrote in their joint statement. “We share an abundance of love and respect for one another and will continue to lead with our hearts from that place. We kindly request your compassion and respect for our privacy moving forward.”
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A few months later, Hough officially filed for divorce despite rumors of their reconciliation in November of that year. At the time a source told PEOPLE that “they were trying to work on things, but Julianne realized she’s happier having her freedom. Brooks tried to give it to her, but he also hit his limit.” The couple finalized their divorce in June 2022.
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In a conversation with PEOPLE in July, the professional dancer revealed that she was single and open to finding a special someone.
“Look, my heart is open,” she said, adding that she’s “ready for whatever is right” for her and won’t be “forcing” romance that doesn’t feel natural.
The actress explained that she was enjoying life as a single woman but remains “open to what comes.”
“I’m very happy,” she added. “So, it’s got to be something really special.”
