Country couple Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks got the boot on Tuesday night’s episode of Dancing With the Stars.

Julianne, a regular on the reality show and two-time winner, and boyfriend/fellow singer Chuck Wicks were a favorite throughout the season but just didn’t quite have what it takes on the dance floor. Thankfully they’ve got their singing careers to fall back on!

After Tuesday’s elimination, Julianne announced that she’s quitting the show for good, as opposed to just taking the next season off to focus on her singing. She made a similar announcement after season 7 but came back when she had the opportunity to partner up with Chuck.

[image: newscom]

Country newcomer and Dancing With the Stars pro Julianne Hough says she’s taking next season off.

The blond beauty says she’s not returning to the hit reality show, at least for next season. After snagging Top New Artist and Top New Female Vocalist at the ACM Awards last week, Julianne has decided to focus on her music as she gets set to work on her sophomore album.

Julianne is currently paired with her boyfriend and fellow country singer Chuck Wicks on the dance floor, and says “I wasn’t supposed to come back this season, but then [Chuck Wicks] got on the show. I’m going to take the next one off. It’s hard for us to keep going and going and going and then of course with two different things you’re trying to do, you get exhausted and overworked.”

[source; image: bauer-griffin]

Julianne Hough was looking as beautiful as ever tonight on the orange carpet as she arrived for the Academy of Country Music Awards.

The country newcomer took home the awards for Top New Female Vocalist and Top New Artist!

More pics of Julianne and boyfriend Chuck Wicks at the awards tonight and performing in Las Vegas over the weekend under the cut! Read more

Chuck Wicks and Jewel are slated to appear on this season’s Dancing With the Stars!

The two country artists as well as the rest of the season’s competitors were revealed this past Sunday during ABC’s primetime.

Chuck Wicks will get to partner up with girlfriend, two-time DWTS champion, and fellow country singer Julianne Hough!

Jewel will be appearing with husband and rodeo star Ty Murray — I didn’t know either of them danced professionally, so we’re going to have to see how that goes.

The rest of the all-star cast includes Lil’ Kim; Jackass star Steve-O; Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell; actor Gilles Marini; actress Denise Richards; Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak; recording artist Belinda Carlisle; actor/comedian David Alan Grier; football hero Lawrence Taylor; and Olympic Gold-medal winning gymnast Shawn Johnson.

The eighth season of Dancing with the Stars will premiere Monday, March 9 on ABC.

[image: newscom]

Julianne Hough and boyfriend Chuck Wicks were spotted doing a little sight-seeing in Washington DC this weekend.

Julianne is in the nation’s capitol to film the “Christmas in Washington” holiday television special for TNT. Darius Rucker will also be performing on the special. It will air on TNT on Wednesday, December 17th at 8:00 p.m. ET.

How cute are they? And I love her coat! 7 MORE PICS after the cut!

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The rumor mill never takes a break and one of this week’s targets was Julianne Hough!

A recent story claimed that she and her fellow country crooner boyfriend Chuck Wicks are engaged, but Julianne was quick to dispel the rumor with a post on her website, Juliannehough.com:

“First of all, sorry to disappoint, but we are not engaged. We are dating and enjoying this stage in our relationship. We’re not in any rush. They of course twisted my words in that article and it’s gotten to be a much bigger deal than it should be.

“You can always get the most up to date and ACCURATE info here on my site. Thank you for all of your support and well wishes!”

Either way they make a very cute couple!

[image: newscom]

Julianne Hough gets a kiss from Chuck Wicks on the red carpet at the CMA Awards!

2 MORE PICS under the cut!

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Image details: CMT And PEOPLE Present The Official 2008 CMT Music Awards After Party served by picapp.com

Chuck Wicks at last night’s CMT Music Awards.

Image details: CMT And PEOPLE Present The Official 2008 CMT Music Awards After Party served by picapp.com

Image details: Hilary Duff Hosts The 2007 Spirit Of Life Awards Dinner - Arrivals served by picapp.com

Don’t miss the CMT Music Awards tonight on CMT beginning at 8pm ET! Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley Cyrus will be hosting. This year’s nominees are:

CMT Music Awards Video of the Year

“Because of You” - Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson
“Don’t Blink” - Kenny Chesney
“Nothin’ Better to Do” - LeAnn Rimes
“Online” - Brad Paisley
“Our Song” - Taylor Swift
“Stay” - Sugarland
“Take Me There” - Rascal Flatts
“Wasted” - Carrie Underwood

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CMT Music Awards Male Video of the Year

“Don’t Blink” - Kenny Chesney
“High Maintenance Woman” - Toby Keith
“I Got My Game On” - Trace Adkins
“I Told You So” - Keith Urban
“Online” - Brad Paisley

…..

CMT Music Awards Female Video of the Year

“Anyway” - Martina McBride
“Famous in a Small Town” - Miranda Lambert
“Nothin’ Better to Do” - LeAnn Rimes
“Our Song” - Taylor Swift
“So Small” - Carrie Underwood

…..

CMT Music Awards Group Video of the Year

“A Little More You” - Little Big Town
“Stand” - Rascal Flatts
“Take Me There” - Rascal Flatts
“(You Want To) Make a Memory” - Bon Jovi

…..

CMT Music Awards Duo Video of the Year

“Lost in This Moment” - Big & Rich
“Proud of the House We Built” - Brooks & Dunn
“Stay” - Sugarland
“What Do Ya Think About That” - Montgomery Gentry

…..

CMT Music Awards USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year

“A Different World” - Bucky Covington
“All My Friends Say” - Luke Bryan
“I Wonder” - Kellie Pickler
“Stealing Cinderella” - Chuck Wicks

…..

CMT Music Awards Collaborative Video of the Year

“Because of You” - Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson
“I Need You” - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
“Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore” - Bon Jovi and LeAnn Rimes
“Workin’ for a Livin’” - Garth Brooks and Huey Lewis

…..

CMT Music Awards Performance of the Year

“Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” Dierks Bentley
“I Wonder” Kellie Pickler
“If You’re Reading This” Tim McGraw
“Stay” Sugarland

…..

CMT Music Awards Supporting Character of the Year

Jason Alexander - “Online”
Rodney Carrington - “I Got My Game On”
Tyler Hilton - “Teardrops on My Guitar”
Christian Kane - “So Small”
…..

CMT Music Awards Wide Open Country Video of the Year

“Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)” - Alison Krauss and Robert Plant
“Gravedigger” - Willie Nelson
“How Long” - The Eagles
“Measure of a Man” - Jack Ingram

…..

CMT Music Awards Tearjerker Video of the Year

“Don’t Blink” - Kenny Chesney
“I Wonder” - Kellie Pickler
“Ready, Set, Don’t Go” - Billy Ray Cyrus
“Stay” - Sugarland

…..

CMT Music Awards Comedy Video of the Year

“High Maintenance Woman” - Toby Keith
“I Got My Game On” - Trace Adkins
“Online” - Brad Paisley
“The More I Drink” - Blake Shelton

Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, and Phil Vassar, as well Jake Owen, Chuck Wicks, James Otto and Danielle Peck, will take to the playing field this June to participate in the 18th Annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge on June 4 in Nashville. Tennessee Titans’ cornerback Cortland Finnegan also will play.

City of Hope is a research and treatment institution for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.