Julianne Hough Reacts to ‘DWTS’ Meme About Intimate Dances With Brother Derek Hough

Julianne Hough was at a loss for words after sharing a recent meme about her and her brother, Derek Hough, on Dancing with the Stars.

The awkward moment was sparked during judge Carrie Ann Inaba‘s commentary after contestants Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach performed an intimate Argentine tango to Beyoncé‘s “Crazy in Love” (Remix) during the show’s “Grammy Night” on Tuesday, November 10.

Throughout season 35, Frech, 21, and Karagach, 33, have spoken about their relationship being similar to that of siblings, but Inaba couldn’t help but notice the pair’s chemistry during their high-scoring dance.

“Turning your sister into your lover for one night is all good!” Inaba, 58, quipped.

“It was fantastic. I’m so proud of you. And there was an element of danger, which I think is different than anything we’ve seen before. And for that, I give you a lot of credit,” the longtime DWTS judge continued.

Inaba’s comments elicited a laugh from Frech, while Karagach cringed. It also earned an uncomfortable reaction from Julianne’s cohost, Alfonso Ribeiro, who said, “Sister to lover, that’s awkward.”

“Tell me about it, that was weird,” Derek, 41, who also serves as a judge on the reality dance competition series, added.

Julianne, 38, took to her Instagram Stories after the show to share a meme poking fun at the odd moment, which featured a photo of her brother at the judges’ table with his eyebrows raised and mouth wide open.

“Derek adding in ‘tell me about it’ after Carrie Ann gave Ezra and Daniella credit for doing an intimate dance when they feel like siblings had me GIGGGGGGGLING,” the meme read.

While Julianne didn’t directly address the comments, she did include a shrugging emoji alongside the post, subtly hinting at the years of criticism she and her brother have received over their close bond, after training and dancing together since they were kids.

As for Karagach and Frech, they largely brushed off the comments in a post-show interview with Entertainment Weekly, noting that while they have that “family love” for each other, they got into character to achieve Tuesday’s steamy dance, telling EW, “We commit to the gig.”