This article was updated with new information on Dec 14.
Don't miss our interview with Derek & Julianne Hough from their recent Paley Center for Media event: Interview.
The holiday season is upon us and this year we are getting a dance holiday special! Holidays with the Houghs, with Derek and Julianne Hough, is coming our way on Monday, Dec. 16 on NBC.
Derek and Julianne are both a part of the NBC family as judges on two of the network's biggest reality competition shows — World of Dance and America's Got Talent. Derek also signed a first-look deal with Universal Television earlier this year, so this is most likely one of the first projects he, Julianne and the network are doing together, with hopefully more to come!
We've been searching high and low for the latest updated information on Holidays with the Houghs and we are here to share it with you.
Cast:
Besides Derek and Julianne, dance fans will recognize most of the cast, including Hannahlei Cabanilla, Jay Jay Dixonbey, Charity Anderson, Chase Haley Bowden, Stephanie Mincone, Patrick Cook, Autumn Miller and Casey Askew. Hannahlei, Jay Jay and Casey are all veterans of So You Think You Can Dance. Charity and Chase are former World of Dance competitors and Charity, Chase and Jay Jay all were a part of the Derek Hough Live! Tour earlier this year.
Behind The Scenes:
Producing the special along with the Houghs is former Dancing with the Stars executive producer Ashley Edens. Katy Tate, a member of Team NappyTabs, and Hayley Erbert are also on the production team.
Tessandra Chavez, who is choreographing for the special, gave Dance Network a tease about the show at the World Choreography Awards, "They are genius. It doesn't get better than them. They are triple threats. They can do anything you ask of them. I think the special is going to be really cool because it's true variety. You will be surprised, there is a lot happening!"
More Than Dance:
It's not just a dance show, it's so much more. Jay Jay gave Dance Network the inside scoop about some of the celebrities who are making cameos.
"It's going to be an amazing special. I get to dance with amazing people like Derek and Julianne, obviously, [as well as] Ciara and Ne-Yo, so that's really exciting," he revealed. "There's a lot of solo moments that we all have."
Update 1: One of Ciara's dancers is Season 10 SYTYCD finalist and All-Star, Jasmine Harper.
Update 2: Alexander Jean, comprised of musicians Mark Ballas and BC Jean, also perform on the show.
Update 3: Alexander Jean will be performing their rendition of a holiday classic, "O Holy Night."
Update 4: Kelly Clarkson is also joining the special!
Update 5: Julianne Hough's new Christmas song with Jordan Fisher, "All I Want For Christmas Is Love," will be performed on the special... and yes, Jordan was there at the taping.
Update 6: Rehearsal of Alexander Jean singing "O Holy Night."
Pre-taped:
The special was taped on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Universal Studios before a live audience.
Walking on Air, Part 2?:
Derek revealed on his Instagram account that he was bringing back the 360-degree turning room that he utilized on Season 18 on Dancing with the Stars for the Emmy Award-winning "Walking On Air." The fact that he has another idea in mind for this technical feat should be reason enough to tune into the show.
#HolidayDanceWars Is Back:
Derek and Julianne are challenging families to show off their best holiday moves to Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath The Tree." Post the dancing video to any social media account and tag it with #HolidayDanceWars. Some of the best videos will be shown on their holiday special.
Lots Of Houghs:
Not only will the Houghs be on TV for their own holiday special, but they will also be at NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center at 8 p.m. ET for the annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 4. The next day, they head to the West Coast for An Evening with Derek Hough and Julianne Hough at the Paley Center for Media. There are sure to be a few Holiday with the Houghs spoilers in there. The event is on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
Twice Is Nice:
The special will premiere on Monday, Dec. 16 from 10-11 p.m., but it will have a second airing one week later on Monday, Dec. 23 at 8 p.m.
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