Dancer/singer/actress Julianne Hough seems to have it all, but the 24-year-old reveals it came with a steep price. Hough says that while building her dance career as a child in London, she was preyed upon by a pedophile who took advantage of her physically and mentally.

"I was 10 years old looking like I was 28, being a very sensual dancer," she told Cosmopolitan of the start of her career, which saw her leave her childhood home in Utah for London. "I was a tormented little kid who had to put on this sexy facade because that was my job and my life. But my heart was the same, and I was this innocent little girl. I wanted so much love."

"While I was in London, I was abused, mentally, physically, everything," Hough explained, but she stopped short of naming her torturer. "I'm a very forgiving person, and I don't want to hurt anybody. What's past is past."

Hough claims that the abuse escalated "when I started hitting puberty, when I started becoming a woman and stopped being a little girl," and that her abuser used the classic tactic of threats to keep her quiet and complicit.

Julianne Hough does her best Sofia Vergara impression>>

"I was told if I ever went back to the United States, three things were going to happen. One: I was going to amount to nothing. Two: I was going to work at Whataburger. And three: I was going to end up a slut. So it was like, I can't go back, I have to be this person."

The abuse didn't end, she said, until one day she saw a performance by one of her fave musical acts and she was inspired to stand up for herself.

"I was like, f**k that. I know who I am, and I don't want to be this person who I am becoming. I left two days later and never went back."

The Dancing With the Stars queen said she didn't tell anyone — not even her parents — because she didn't want to be "a burden."

"I'd rather take the pressure on myself," she told the mag. "To this day, I don't want to be a burden. I didn't talk unless I was spoken to. I would look over to see if it was okay if I answered. I was perfect — perfect to a fault."

So why talk now? "I don't want pity. To me it's more about being that voice for people who don't necessarily have a voice."

Read the entire interview with Julianne Hough in the February issue of Cosmopolitan.

Image courtesy of FayesVision/WENN.com

Since first opening up to Cosmopolitan magazine about being a survivor of abuse, Julianne Hough has continued to share her story. Speaking to ET Online, the actress elaborated on just how horrible that period of her life was, and how well she's able to relate to her Safe Haven character, Katie.

"I've been through certain things that have sucked the life out of me . . . just the light about me was gone,"Julianne Hough explained of being abused as a child. "I was just a dark person. So I had to leave that situation and kind of come into my own again and I did."

Of keeping her past a secret until now, she said, "A lot of people got to know me through Dancing with the Stars and don't really know about my past before that, which I don't talk about much."

Hot new trailer: Safe Haven>>

Years after finding the power to leave her abuser, the dancer was cast in the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' bestselling book, Safe Haven. Her character, Katie, falls in love with a widower after escaping an abusive ex-boyfriend.

"Being Katie, I relate a lot to her," Hough, now 24 years old and in a long-term relationship with Ryan Seacrest, went on to explain.

"The fact that she had been in one situation that just sucked the life out of her, and it was a bad situation. She needed to change and move on and kind of find her own again. And through that you find love and everything."

Safe Haven is due in theaters Feb. 14, 2013.

Image via WENN

Photo credits: Getty

Julianne Hough had one of the best looks of the night at the People's Choice Awards. The Safe Haven star struck a pretty pose in her Tony Ward Couture dress and soft makeup.

Her makeup artist, Molly Stern, revealed which products she used to give Hough the soft, pink look inspired by a "rockabilly princess."

Face

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation
Lancôme Star Bronzer
Lancôme Blush in Love in Pêche Joue-Joue

Eyes

Lancôme Color Design Infinité 24H Eye Shadow in Forever Noir
Lancôme Liner Design Gel EyeLiner in Black Fishnets
Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara
Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil

Lips

Lancôme Le Lipstique in Sheer Natural
Lancôme Rouge in Love in Roses in Love

We have to admit, though, that her glowing look probably comes from her happy relationship with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest. She recently told Entertainment Tonight that he makes her so happy all the time.

"[He's] very thoughtful and very generous... Things that you wouldn't think a guy would even pick up on he's already done five steps ago," she said.

Seacrest can balance 5 million jobs and help her around the house? He has to be a robot.

Tell us: Do you like Julianne Hough's People's Choice Awards makeup look?

Image courtesy Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

More People's Choice Awards fashion

2 People's Choice Awards hair trends we loved
PCAs shocker: Christina Aguilera wears pants
We're obsessed with Jennifer Aniston's black leather dress

More Golden Globes

Get the look: Claire Danes' Golden Globes makeup
Lena Dunham rocks Zac Posen at the Golden Globes
Mommies Megan Fox and Claire Danes at the Golden Globes

Photo credits: Getty

On a balmy day in July, SheKnows was invited out to Southport, N.C., to spend a day on the set of Nicholas Sparks’ new novel-turned-film, Safe Haven.

After an afternoon spent hanging out with Safe Haven’s male star Josh Duhamel, I was excited to spend the evening watching lead actress Julianne Hough pull out all the stops in one of her most dramatic scenes of the film.

Safe Haven set visit: Josh Duhamel makes a great dad >>

As fireworks crashed down on the wooden dock of Safe Haven’s Southport set and loud music blasted in the background, Hough delivered an emotional performance. I sat entranced behind the director’s chair watching Julianne, who plays domestic abuse victim Katie, confront her abuser with tears in her eyes. After the scene I had a chance to talk to Hough about the role and how she personally related to her charcter.

Q&A with Julianne Hough

SheKnows: Were you familiar with Nicholas Sparks before this film?

Julianne Hough: I read his books before I saw any of his movies. I read A Walk to Remember like 17 times. It’s like my favorite book ever. I thought Mandy Moore was awesome in it. And who doesn’t love The Notebook? It’s like the perfect movie to grab a bowl of ice cream, and sob my eyes out. It’s what people want to see. It’s a triumph always.

SK: How does Safe Haven compare with the other films?

JH: This one is so different than his previous books and movies. This has got such a thriller aspect to it.

SK: How did you relate to your character Katie and her experience as a victim of domestic abuse?

JH: I’ve been through certain things in my life that I think a lot of people have. I definitely related personally to her. She’s very guarded and doesn’t want to open herself up a lot to people because she’s been hurt and I think that’s typical of a lot of people after they’ve been burned. I’m very similar, you can ask my friends.

SK: What was the most challenging aspect of this role?

JH: This was an interesting process for me because everything that I’ve done before has been so scripted and on the page. In this one, he’s like ‘Make it your own, say what you want.’ It’s so much more real. Because I do relate so much to her, it’s a lot of what I would say. Not a lot of talking, a lot of feeling.

SK: How did you like working with Josh Duhamel?

JH: He’s very easy to work with. He is Alex. He’s the nice guy who’s been through things that shaped who he is. He’s that safe person in real life, too. He’s very open to people and wanting to be their friend. He’s got that light about him where you feel safe. When I’m around him, there’s a safety and comfort.

SK: You said you’d read Safe Haven, what book are you into right now?

JH: My dad just gave me a book for my birthday called The Art of Letting Go. There are just times in your life where something just clicks and you move past it. Everybody has their own issues and you have to work through them with the people that you’re with. When you have somebody that’s safe, it’s easy.

SK: Well, you’re in a great relationship now with Ryan Seacrest. What’s your secret to success?

JH: Being honest with your partner and who you are. Being vulnerable to open yourself up to somebody.

Be sure to catch Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel in Safe Haven, in theaters Valentine’s Day!

And for your chance to meet the cast, attend “A Night with Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven: Filmmakers, Author and Stars Bring the Book to Life," on Thursday, January 17th! Nicholas Sparks, director Lasse Hallstrom, Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough will be broadcasting live to select theaters nationwide. Buy your tickets now!

Photo credit: Relativity

Shakira and baby Milan

Songstress Shakira and baby daddy Gerard Piqué welcomed 6 lb, 6 oz. baby Milan into the world on Jan. 22, 2013, in Barcelona, Spain. After watching Momma Shakira dance in She Wolf where she is able to move muscles independently from the rest of her body, we’re guessing child birth was easy by comparison. This was one of the most highly anticipated births of 2013 because, uh, look at these parents! Give us a damn break. Combine that with the singing, dancing and Daddy’s fancy footwork as a football player, and this is one genetic package we are very excited to watch grow up.

Shakira shakes her hips and delivers a baby!>>

Kate Middleton

Prince William’s Mrs., Kate Middleton, is about to grow the monarchy and we can’t wait for the palace to have a tot again. Just as her mother-in-law Princess Diana set fashion trends every time she stepped out, mothers with burgeoning bellies everywhere will be casting a watchful eye on Kate’s maternity fashions. Will the royal couple have a little prince or princess? The royal bundle o' joy is due in July, so will Kate have a Cancer or a Leo? See? The anticipation is killing us!

Save the date: The royal baby arrives in July!>>

Kim Kardashian

When you’re famous for having sex on tape, and recording every detail of your life for mass consumption, naturally the public will whip itself into a frenzy when you’re pregnant. We are, of course, referring to Kim Kardashian’s impending birth. This is Kim we’re talking about, so the guy she had sex with on tape is not her baby daddy, and the guy she’s still married to isn’t her baby daddy. Proud papa Kanye West will be entering into parenthood with Kim. Why does that make us want to say, “Yikes. There goes the neighborhood..."?

Kim and Kourtney Kardashian talk shared breastfeeding>>

Channing Tatum

Magic Mike’s Channing Tatum and his lovely wife, Jenna Dewan, are due to deliver their bun from the oven later this year. When Channing was crowned People magazine’s "Sexiest Man Alive" in November 2012, he mentioned his wife Jenna more than 12 times, once to admit that they were ready to have a family. Every time we see these two they are hand-in-hand doing something — hiking, walking the dog, going to lunch. The Tatum tot will not only be gorgeous, but by all appearances, will also be raised in a loving home. Sigh.

Hollywood Baby News>>

Ryan Seacrest

Mr. Hollywood went on Chelsea Lately and gushed about his girlfriend, the upcoming Safe Haven’s Julianne Hough. Not only is Julianne the “best part of every day,” but Ryan admitted that he and Julianne want to get married and have kids. Move over Brad and Angelina. If these two get hitched and start having little starlets, they may take over the title of King and Queen of Hollywood. So what’s the hang-up? It’s probably that Ryan hasn’t taken a day off in 10 years. Hopefully, he’ll take one off to tie the knot with Julianne before her eggs turn to dust!

Celebrity moms who do it all>>

Images courtesy WENN.com

"...I tried to forget, I tried to put it all behind me, I tried to, you know... just look forward,"Josh Duhamel says in this exclusive new clip from the upcoming film Safe Haven.

He's sincere and he's finally branching out since his wife's recent passing. Although we can't spoil the whole story, one thing's certain: Julianne Hough has caught his eye and the sun over the gentle lake isn't the only thing warming his broken heart.

"I want [my kids] to know her," Duhamel continues. "So, we're just... we're just keeping our heads down. [I'm] getting to play mom and dad, which is... interesting. Just trying to keep it all together, really. But today, with you, this is probably the first time that I've looked up."

And wouldn't you know, Hough's lips curl around the edges and she replies, "It's a perfect day."

This may sound like something straight out of a Nicholas Sparks love novel — and maybe that's because it is.

If you're a Sparks buff you already know the story, but for those who haven't read it, Safe Haven is centered on the redemptive power of love. We caught up with the author a few months back and he went to great lengths raving about this piece and his excitement concerning the film's leads.

The role hits especially close to home for Hough, who recently shared her abusive past— making for an incredibly genuine portrayal on-screen.

Safe Haven hits theaters Feb. 14 and is sure to make the perfect viewing experience for you and your love.

Photo credit: Relativity Media

More Friday fashion fun

Friday's Fashion Fails: January Jones and Julianne Moore
Friday's Fashion Fails: Snooki and Phoebe Price
Friday's Fashion Fails: Halle Berry and Sienna Miller

Photo credits: FayesVision/WENN.com, Winston Burris/WENN.com

While singing and dancing on screen is extremely physically challenging, Safe Haven star Julianne Hough told us recently that her complex role in the film was her most mentally challenging yet.

"This was such a challenging movie where it was all mental and emotional," Julianne told SheKnows at the press day for Safe Haven in Los Angeles. "Preparing for something like that, you dig deep and end up kind of finding new things about yourself."

Watch our interview with Julianne

Hough plays a woman with a dark past who finds love with widowed father Josh Duhamel after running away from home.

"The issues that Katie deals with at the beginning of the film and throughout the film... it is a delicate issue," said Hough. "At the end of the day, the goal is to let the audiences know that everybody deserves a second chance, and everybody deserves love and happiness, and you really can find it. You know it when you find it!"

Safe Haven set visit: Julianne Hough "moving past" abuse issues >>

And it seems Julianne has found it with her multitalented boyfriend, Ryan Seacrest. The duo has been going strong for the past three years. With the movie coming out on Valentine's Day, we asked Hough what she and the BF have planned for the big day.

"Honestly, I just like a low-key kind of Valentine's Day," said Hough. "I'm not one of those girls. Write me a letter — I like that. If we're going the superficial route, lingerie is always good. But again, I'm with somebody who would like a letter also."

Be sure to catch Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel this Valentine's Day in Safe Haven!

Photo credit: Adrianna M. Barraza/WENN

Based on the Nicholas Sparks novel, Safe Haven pairs Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel as a young couple struggling to find love despite her dark secrets and his grief. This romantic drama is likely to invoke tears, so on a scale of 1 to 10, we give Hough and Duhamel a chemistry rating of 8 for what’s sure to be their strong, emotional performances. In theaters Feb. 14.

Photo credit: Relativity Media

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, who we know from 2009’s The Lovely Bones, is now 18 years old and is ready to be Hollywood’s new “it girl.” In the movie The Host, based on the book by Twilight’s Stephenie Meyer, Ronan plays a young woman whose being has been invaded by an alien creature. In this potentially epic love story, Ronan’s character Melanie fights to be with her human love, Jared, played by Max Irons, who’s way sexier than his dad, Jeremy. Ronan and Irons get an 8 in terms of on-screen chemistry for their youthful idealism and alien allure. In theaters March 29.

Photo credit: Open Road Films

Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, and Olga Kurylenko star in To the Wonder, a movie about a cross-cultural love triangle with a French twist that quickly pushes all three involved to their passionate limits. We give this romantic triad a chemistry rating of 10 for its ménage a trois potential. In theaters April 12.

Photo credit: Magnolia Pictures

Newcomers Alice Englert and Alden Ehrenreich heat up the screen in Beautiful Creatures, a supernatural love story that takes place in a small town in South Carolina. We give this couple a chemistry rating of 9 for Englert’s mysterious supernatural powers. In theaters Feb. 14.

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

Warm Bodies is a twisted love story where a human named Julie, played by Teresa Palmer, falls in love with a Zombie named R, played by Nicholas Hoult. Hoult played the adorable kid in 2002’s About a Boy so it’s difficult to tell how he’ll be as a leading dead man. Aussie actress Palmer is drop-dead beautiful and charmed us all in I Am Number Four. The pair gets a chemistry rating of 7, which is pretty good considering one of them is dead. In theaters Feb. 1.

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Rooney Mara stunned as the surprisingly sexy The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In the new film Side Effects, she plays the wife of super-hottie Channing Tatum and is obviously devastated when he’s sentenced to prison for four years. We’d freak out, too, unless he was allowed conjugal visits. We give Mara and Tatum a chemistry rating of 10 for her enigmatic allure and his beefy bod. In theaters Feb. 8.

Photo credit: Open Road Films

On Friday night, thieves broke into Julianne Hough's car and swiped $100,000 worth of jewelry given to her by boyfriend Ryan Seacrest.

Julianne talks about filming Safe Haven>>

According to TMZ, Hough stopped by Hollywood on Friday night to visit a friend in an area apartment complex and left her fancy little Mercedes in the lot. When she returned to her car, thieves had ransacked it and made off with a sparkly present worth a hefty hunk of change.

In total, three pieces of jewelry were stolen with values that add up to $100K. One of the items is said to be a watch worth $50,000.

Sure, Seacrest's got his hand in so many pots that he's probably already made enough money to replace the missing pieces three times over. However, his dancing beauty girlfriend maybe needs to be a little more careful. Who leaves such expensive jewelry in her car? Plus, TMZ said there were no visible signs of forced entry. It's entirely possible that she left her door unlocked.

Exclusive Safe Haven clip>>

Hough isn't the only celebrity victim of thefts. Last year, an old friend stole thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry belonging to famed skateboarder Ryan Sheckler. The OC's Rachel Bilson's home was robbed a few years ago while she was on vacation. She returned home to find she was lacking tons of her favorite dresses, couture pieces, vintage shoes, and even jewelry from her grandma.

Then, in 2008, Matthew McConaughey was robbed while on vacation in Nicaragua. The perps stole his BlackBerry and $2,000 in cash. According to sources, however, he never reported the crime. The creepiest, though, was when Kate Moss' home was broken into so thieves could steal art right off her walls, including a piece from the famed street artist Banksy.

All the victims have enough money to easily replace the missing items, but that doesn't make the situation OK. Plus, there's nothing quite like the uneasy feeling that comes with knowing someone uninvited was in your home or car.

Get Julianne's sultry look from the PCAs>>

We hope Hough isn't too distraught! Luckily, her boyfriend seems like a pretty caring guy. He certainly won't be mad at her over the missing pretties and will hopefully be supportive of her if she's feeling a little emotional after the incident.

Photo credit: WENN.com

In breaking news on Friday, People was the first to report that Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough have broken up and are no longer living together. The news comes on the heels of reports earlier this week that Hough had expensive jewelry given to her by the host stolen from her vehicle.

The news was confirmed to the entertainment magazine by friends close to the couple. However, no official statement has come from reps of either celebrity.

The 24-year-old dancer and actress has been dating the multitalented Seacrest for over two years. They quietly began dating in 2010, but they didn't confirm their status until several months into the relationship. Many members of the media were speculating about when they would get married, so the news is shocking most people in the entertainment industry.

Both Seacrest and Hough have been on an upward career trajectory. One can only speculate that their busy schedules played a huge part in the breakup. People's source said that finding time together was a "great challenge," but the duo are still friendly even though they have split up.

Ryan Seacrest shares life lessons from Dick Clark>>

Hough has even commented on the commitment it takes to keep the spark alive.

She told PARADE magazine, "It's a hard thing to do, especially when you're so caught up in your work and bettering yourself. I think at the end of the day you have to find a balance with what's really important."

The former Dancing with the Stars pro crisscrossed the globe with the recent promotion of her Valentine's Day film, Safe Haven, while the 38-year-old American Idol host was heavily involved in awards show season. The couple was spotted, by this reporter, on Feb. 5 at the premiere of Hough's latest film, and they were hanging out together at the after party.

Julianne Hough reveals shocking childhood abuse>>

Hough has two projects in the can, including the Diablo Cody film Paradise starring Holly Hunter and Russell Brand and Skum Rocks! with Teresa Palmer and Kevin Bacon. Both films are slated to hit the big screen this year.

Seacrest continues to be the busiest man in the entertainment industry with American Idol, projects for E! and Bravo, and his syndicated radio shows.

Love in Hollywood sure isn't easy.

Image courtesy of FayesVision/WENN.com

Taylor Swift routinely rules the red carpet these days, and the 2012 ACM Awards proved no different. In a sleek, gold and white J. Mendel gown, Taylor stole the show. Miranda Lambert worked the gold and white modern goddess look in Lorena Sarbu at the 2011 ACM Awards the year prior, pairing it with a sweet swept-back updo for an altogether timeless style.

Why don't more stars opt for shorter hems? Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman had legs for days at last year's ACMs in a sparkly off-the-shoulder cocktail dress. In 2011, Allison DeMarcus — the wife of Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus — showed off her great gams in a flapper-inspired number. Both women proved that going short at awards shows can be equally as chic as donning a ground-draping gown.

While neutrals and metallics seem to pop up the most on the red carpet, Julianne Hough and Jennifer Nettles brightened up the ACMs in vibrant coral hues. Julianne chose a cheery orange-coral, floral-print gown— designed by Randi Rahm — with a daring backless halter-bib style at the 2011 ACM Awards. Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles hit the 2012 ACM Awards in a pink-coral, custom Max Azria Atelier gown embellished with a sunny yellow sequined belt.

For the 2012 ACM Awards, Carrie Underwood looked utterly ethereal in an Abed Mahfouz couture gown — which she smartly paired with metallic Oscar de la Renta heels and Johnathon Arndt jewels. In a wash of beaded mauve tulle, The Band Perry's Kimberly Perry brought romance to life in a mermaid gown by Cengiz Abazoglu.

More on the ACM Awards

ACM Awards: Those singers' names are so made up!
Hello! Country singers who look good shirtless
ACM Awards: Match the cowboy to the hat

Images, L to R, courtesy of: Judy Eddy/WENN.com, Judy Eddy/WENN.com ; Judy Eddy/WENN.com, Judy Eddy/WENN.com ; Judy Eddy/WENN.com, Nikki Nelson/WENN.com ; Nikki Nelson/WENN.com, Nikki Nelson/WENN.com