The Ageless Cast of Burlesque: How the Filmmakers Got It Right

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Julianne Hough was only 22 years old when she starred in the 2010 American backstage musical film Burlesque. The young actress had already won two seasons of Dancing with the Stars, but this was her first major film role.

The casting for the movie Burlesque was carefully orchestrated to align the ages of the actresses with their respective characters.

The photo of seven-year-old Ali with her mother in Burlesque is actually a photo of a much younger Christina Aguilera with her real-life mother, Shelly Kearns.

Actresses Kristen Bell, Cher, Christina Aguilera, and actor Cam Gigandet attend the 'Burlesque' Paris PhotocallActresses Kristen Bell, Cher, Christina Aguilera, and actor Cam Gigandet attend the ‘Burlesque’ Paris Photocall at Le Crazy Horse on December 15, 2010, in Paris, France (Credit: Joseph Kerlakian / Startraksphoto)

During the release of “Burlesque” in the United States on November 24, 2010, the main cast members encompassed a diverse range of ages: Cher (Tess) was 64, Christina Aguilera (Ali) was 29, Stanley Tucci (Sean) was 50, Kristen Bell (Nikki) was 30, Julianne Hough (Georgia) was 22, Cam Gigandet (Jack) was 28, Eric Dane (Marcus) was 38, and Alan Cumming (Alexis) was 45.

Julianne Hough made her acting debut in the 2001 film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, playing an unnamed Gryffindor student. She was 11 years old at the time.

Burlesque tells the story of Ali Rose (Aguilera), a small-town girl who moves to Los Angeles and finds success at a burlesque club owned by Tess (Cher). Hough plays Georgia, one of the club’s leading dancers.

Julianne Hough and Kristen Bell both starred in the 2010 musical film BurlesqueJulianne Hough and Kristen Bell both starred in the 2010 musical film Burlesque (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

In the film, Tess Scali (Cher) asks Sean (Stanley Tucci) what happened to all the good dancers in LA. Sean responds, “Dancing with the Stars.” This is a funny line because Julianne Hough, who plays Georgia in Burlesque, is one of the professional dancers on the Emmy-winning show.

In an interview with Reuters, Julianne Hough revealed that preparing for her role in the movie musical was much more demanding than her experience on the reality competition show.

Unlike the quick turnaround on Dancing with the Stars, Burlesque required months of intense preparation and shooting each dance number repeatedly over grueling 16-hour days.

“On ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ you learn the dance, you dance the dance on TV, and then you’re done,” she said. “‘Burlesque’ was months of preparation, and each number was shot over and over again, over 16-hour days.”

Cher portrayed Tess, the strong yet fair owner of a Los Angeles burlesque club; Julianne Hough portrayed Georgia, an aspiring dancer with dreams of success in the burlesque world; and Stanley Tucci portrayed Sean, Tess's supportive and charismatic manager who assisted Georgia in pursuing her ambitions.Cher portrayed Tess, the strong yet fair owner of a Los Angeles burlesque club; Julianne Hough portrayed Georgia, an aspiring dancer with dreams of success in the burlesque world; and Stanley Tucci portrayed Sean, Tess’s supportive and charismatic manager who assisted Georgia in pursuing her ambitions (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

In addition to dancing, Hough also sings in the film, and performing the number “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” left her with painful welts on her sides, legs, arms, and neck that lasted for weeks.

“When I sang ‘Diamonds Are A Girls’ Best Friend,’ sliding down those beads was probably the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” said Hough. “And the most painful! I had welts on my sides, my legs, my arms, and my neck for weeks!”

“On ‘Burlesque,’ I learned the logistics of filmmaking and figured out my comfort zone,” said Hough about her experience on the set. “By the time I shot ‘Footloose,’ I felt prepared and could focus on the acting.”

Julianne Hough and Derek Hough Step Out for Casual Lunch in Los Angeles

Julianne Hough and her brother Derek Hough may not be as famous as the Kardashians or Hadids, but they’re a celebrity sibling duo we love just the same. In August 2016, the two took a casual lunch at Zinque Cafe in Los Angeles.

Julianne Hough wears her hair downJulianne Hough wears her hair down as she leaves Zinque Cafe on August 10, 2016, in Beverly Hills (Credit: WENN)

Julianne wore a chambray dress with a square neckline and puffy short sleeves. The dancer dressed her casual ensemble up with a pair of sunglasses and a black sling leather bag.

She sported her always-present massive diamond engagement ring and a few pieces of jewelry.

Julianne Hough wears a casual chambray dress while out for lunch in Los AngelesJulianne Hough wears a casual chambray dress while out for lunch in Los Angeles (Credit: WENN)

Julianne finished her ensemble with a pair of casual two-toned Chloé leather wedges.

Julianne Hough's feet in two-toned Chloé wedgesJulianne Hough’s feet in two-toned Chloé wedges (Credit: WENN)

The lunch was seemingly hush-hush since neither sibling mentioned the outing on social media. Maybe the two were cooking up something top-secret for their fans?

Derek was spotted leaving separately from his younger sister.

Derek Hough leaves Zinque Cafe after having lunch with his younger sister JulianneDerek Hough leaves Zinque Cafe after having lunch with his younger sister Julianne (Credit: WENN)

However, even if lunch didn’t make the social media feeds, Derek and Julianne have been very open about how close they are.

Julianne’s Chloé two-toned platform wedges are no longer available, but you can get a similar pair on Zappos.

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