{alltv} 'Footloose' Julianne Hough feeling fancy-free after 'DWTS'

ATLANTA — That sweet bubbly girl hanging around the set of the new Footloose with the straight honey-blond hair, zero makeup and nary a spangled adornment? That can't possibly be ballroom queen and choreographer Julianne Hough.

Nope. Turns out it is serious actress Julianne Hough.

The stripped-down two-time Dancing With the Stars champ looks much younger than her 22 years while sitting in her trailer, surrounded by thank-you gifts for the cast and crew of the April release that wrapped on Friday.

And, just like a kid, she didn't finish the homework she had to do on the plane before coming here.

"I was supposed to write my thank-you notes, but instead I watched Inception," Hough says.

The multi-talent — Emmy-nominated TV star, chart-topping country singer and rising film actress — can be forgiven for taking a break, given her packed schedule. Not that she isn't living her dream. As she puts it, "I've always wanted to be the country version of J. Lo."

Besides finishing her role as the wild-child minister's daughter in the remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon classic, Hough is attending the Country Music Association Awards on Wednesday in Nashville, where she lives.

Then she heads to Los Angeles to promote Burlesque, which opens Nov. 24 and stars Christina Aguilera and Cher. A red-haired Hough pours on the glitz in the film as a nightclub performer and best pal to Aguilera.

For now, Hough is relishing the chance to be more natural after spending much of her life in barely there costumes and heavy makeup as a competitive dancer.

"For what I really want to do — which is acting and being in this world and singing — a natural look is far more appropriate," she says. "It is refreshing. That was Playboy hot. This is hometown girl hot. I'm definitely wearing some tight jeans in this movie."

The reaction to the new Julianne when she stopped by Dancing With the Stars last week during the show's 200th-episode celebration? "They were all, 'Wow, who are you? You're actually a normal color.' " Yes, the spray tans are on hold. And she's filled out, too, after being away for three seasons. "I put on a little bit of weight. I was muscular and lean before, and that made me look older."

Other personal and professional updates:

•Are she and Ryan Seacrest dating? "Yes," she says quietly.

•Is she starring in the film version of 21 Jump Street? "I've never even been asked. Although it's kind of cool, so I'm not going to say I'm not doing it."

•Why is her second album delayed? With her film career blossoming, "I couldn't promote it now. So we kind of put it on hold for a bit."

•Will she return to Dancing With the Stars? "We will see what happens. There are so many options and opportunities."