- Julianne Hough and husband Brooks Laich "are giving things another shot."
- The former Dancing With The Stars judge and hockey player announced their separation in May 2020.
- But now, a source says they've resumed their relationship and are "taking it step by step."
In May 2020, Julianne Hough and husband Brooks Laich announced they were separating after three years of marriage. But now, an insider says, the couple is giving things another try.
"Julianne and Brooks are giving things another shot," a source told Us Weekly. "They’ve both done a ton of soul searching, had plenty of time and space to reflect and ultimately concluded that there’s too much love there to let it go."
The former Dancing With The Stars judge and retired hockey player are taking the whole thing slow, the source adds, noting that the two are taking things one day at a time. "There are still some lingering doubts and issues they need to work through, including Julianne's desire to still have freedom when she needs it, and Brooks' need for reassurances that she doesn’t have one foot out of the door still," the source said. "But they’re taking it step by step, enjoying each other's company enormously, and it's gratifying to both of them that the old spark between them never really went away."
Julianne and Brooks have been spotted out in public together, and Julianne just shared an Instagram video of herself working out outside at a house that Brooks just featured in his Instagram Stories, next to the couple’s dog. So… yeah, it's pretty clear they’re hanging out.
"They’re both highly attracted to one another, have a great ability to make each other laugh, and there’s a lot of respect on both sides," the source said. "But now it’s looking good in terms of a full-blown reunion, and everyone’s so happy to see them hopefully working things out at long last."
FWIW: A source previously told Us Weekly that "they are both a bit anxious and, in the past, have gone back and forth in terms of their relationship. Julianne fully does want him back."
Of course, this is pretty different from what the couple said back in May, when they shared this joint statement with People: “We have lovingly and carefully taken the time we have needed to arrive at our decision to separate. 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.”
Julianne and Brooks have been social distancing separately for the last two months amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Julianne has stayed in Los Angeles, while Brooks spent time in Idaho. “There is honestly no ill will,” a source close to the couple also told People. “He loves her. She loves him. I can truly say they always will. But they both understand they are not meant to go through their lives as husband and wife to each other.”
The day before announcing her separation, Julianne shared a solo dance video, promoting her Kinrgy dance-based workout:
Julianne also commented on Brooks shirtless Instagram post two days earlier. She wrote: “This is awesome haha also the fact that you just figured out what a thirst trap is... ”
The ex-couple wed near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on July 8, 2017 in front of 200 guests. Since their ‘I dos,’ Julianne has opened up about her own personal transformation, which included a more fluid understanding of her own sexuality. “I believe in soul love, whatever that looks like,” she previously told Women’s Health. “I kind of don’t believe in labels. It doesn’t mean that I won’t have a baby, etc. It just means that I’ve unplugged from what I feel like I should be doing versus what I actually want to be doing.”
Jennifer Nied is the fitness editor at Women’s Health and has more than 10 years of experience in health and wellness journalism. She’s always out exploring—sweat-testing workouts and gear, hiking, snowboarding, running, and more—with her husband, daughter, and dog.
