In the dazzling realm of Hollywood, where one’s latest fashion trend or social movement holds the power to put one in the public eye, Julianne Hough has deftly worked the situation to her favor. With her Instagram account as a powerful vehicle, she has embraced and paid homage to the “Tradwife” phenomenon with a playful, sun-drenched video that has gone viral. Hough is, of course, not the first Hollywood star to adopt or be associated with the “Tradwife” trend; however, her timing in this moment of familial and domestic nostalgia makes her an interesting case study.
On September 22nd, Julianne posted a hot video on Instagram that has people talking and hastily hitting the ‘share’ button. In the short clip, Hough looks stunning in a pristine white bikini and sleek, black sunglasses, giving off an aura of effortless chic. The backdrop of the video? Her own kitchen, where she dances with the same grace that won her admirers on the ballroom floor, all while making a cozy home-cooked meal. The pièce de résistance of the entire production? Hough taking her culinary masterpiece outside and dining al fresco with her unbelievably cute dog.
It wasn’t solely the admirable midsection or the delightful dog that brought forth a viewer frenzy. The video’s caption, which certainly didn’t hold back, was mostly to thank for that. “What’s the opposite of #tradwife?” it read, in effect asking, “Who could possibly be the antithesis of a woman who exhibits such an obvious amount of interior domesticity?” My sense is that this video is a bit of a goof on the ‘Tradwife’ phenomenon that has taken over social media in recent months—no, really, you can look it up—and is part of a “thing” now for women to do.
Julianne Hough’s lighthearted video is not merely a commentary on contemporary social narratives. It is also a playful reflection of Hough’s recent path toward self-discovery and living more openly. In a time when every celebrity announcement is parsed for “hidden meanings,” Hough’s latest revelation comes at a moment charged with significance. The video itself may convey an image of Hough’s easy, breezy life. But just a few weeks earlier, Hough had shared a deeper and much more poignant reflection on her identity in a podcast interview. In that conversation, Hough revealed that she identifies as “not straight,” prompting a much-needed dialogue about identity and authenticity.
Julianne shared her coming-out experience with her audience, and it easily could have resonated beside the many coming-out stories that have been told over the years. However, Julianne’s coming-out experience bears repeating because it defies the traditional model of coming out. For Julianne, coming out is not simply about the kind of label one would slap on a can of soup. Instead, she sees it as something that can be empowering in understanding the kind of love one is drawn to. Julianne has chosen not to label her experience, but she leaves us with this affirmation: “I love people, and I don’t know what I’m attracted to, but I choose you.”
Julianne confidently expresses her true self, and this “Radiant” personality is something her fans can really relate to. Who doesn’t want to be entertained by someone who also goes above and beyond to resemble a friend? But then, that’s what Juliane is—a friend to her fans–worthy of admiration and aspiration. Plus, she does it with such a delightful sense of humor; there’s no wondering why she’s such a hit with audiences.
The internet has responded with humor and heartfelt support to Julianne Hough’s audacious dance in a white bikini, but the video isn’t just about what people are saying now. It’s about what it could potentially say for the future. Hough’s fearless performance serves as a shimmery reminder that while today’s trends may become tomorrow’s “what were we thinking,” being authentic will never go out of style.
