AceShowbiz - Julianne Hough's marriage to former NHL player Brooks Laich began with high hopes and a picturesque wedding in July 2017. However, the "Dancing with the Stars" judge revealed on Dax Shepard's "Armchair Expert" podcast that the union started to unravel almost immediately.

"He had a really rough last few years of his career," Hough shared, adding that Laich was dealing with injuries and a surprising trade that took him away from his long-time team before they won the Stanley Cup.

Living long-distance and never cohabiting full-time before their marriage added additional strain. Hough tearfully recounted the unanticipated challenges they faced. "That was the year we got married and the year everything started unraveling," she said, noting that the emotional burden was compounded when both her dogs died just days after she asked for a separation in September 2019.

Despite recognizing Laich as someone with "the greatest heart," Hough acknowledged that their marriage ended because they "just couldn't find each other." "He was contracting while I was expanding," she explained, emphasizing that both were undergoing significant personal changes that pulled them apart rather than together.

Although they announced their separation in May 2020, it wasn't finalized until June 2022. At the time of their separation, the couple released a joint statement, saying, "We share an abundance of love and respect for one another and will continue to lead with our hearts from that place."

Reflecting on the end of her marriage, Hough expressed mixed emotions. "We both have regrets that it didn't work out because I don't think we had the maturity to come together," she admitted. Yet, she found solace in the opportunity to rebuild her life with intentionality and authenticity. "I actually get to start in an intentional way that I get to design and create a life that is actually coming from my soul," Hough stated.

Since the split, Laich has moved on with CrossFit athlete Katrín Tanja Davíðsdóttir while Hough has not publicly dated anyone. Nevertheless, they remain on amicable terms, symbolized by their reunion at Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert's wedding last August, where Hough served as a bridesmaid and Laich was one of the groomsmen.