'Dancing' champ Apolo Ohno denies Julianne Hough romance rumors
By Christopher Rocchio, 05/24/2007
Their chemistry in the ballroom contributed to two-time Olympic gold medalist speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and his professional partner Julianne Hough receiving Dancing with the Stars' fourth-season mirror ball trophy, but inquiring minds across America have been wondering if the spark between the pair was extinguished since the dancing shoes have came off.
"There's no truth to [the rumors of a romantic relationship]. Our relationship was strictly professional. It was sometimes goofy, but strictly professional," Ohno told the New York Post Thursday.
Fueling speculation about a possible romance was the fact that Hough canceled her August 8, 2007 wedding to former dancer Zach Wilson less than two weeks before Dancing with the Stars' fourth season finale. Hough and Wilson were planning to wed in a Mormon ceremony in her home state of Utah, but due to her busy schedule with Ohno on Dancing with the Stars, the couple instead decided to wait to tie the knot. However Ohno says Hough's wedding postponement and his chemistry with the 18-year-old professional dancer should not cause people to speculate.
"We had great chemistry on the dance floor, which is why people think [we're romantically involved]. It meant I was doing my job [as a dancer]," Ohno told the Post.
Having spent the last month in China as part of a performing-arts group from Brigham Young University, where he's currently enrolled as a pre-dental student, Wilson recently told TV Guide he's also aware of the rumors about his fiance and Ohno.
"I've heard a lot about that," he told TV Guide. "Because I'm a dancer I know what performing takes. I've been involved in ballroom a lot, so I know there has to be chemistry when you dance together. It doesn't mean that there's any romance going on. And I know personally that there's not, because I've been with them in rehearsals and I've gotten to know Apolo really well. He's a really nice guy. So it doesn't bother me."
While he may be aware of the chemistry needed to succeed in the ballroom, Wilson said he still understands how Ohno and Hough's compatibility on the dance floor could be confused as romance by the average Dancing with the Stars' viewer.
"If I didn't know her and I was watching the show, I would think that they were in love," he told TV Guide. "But I do know her and they're not. They're just good friends."
Instead of being jealous, Wilson said he's proud of Hough and her accomplishment.
"She's incredible," he told TV Guide. "I just love her so much. I knew from the moment I met her that she would be a star. There was no question in my mind."
There's also apparently no question in Wilson's mind that he and Hough will eventually wed.
"We're going to get married, just not this summer," he told TV Guide. "We haven't fallen away from each other at all."
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