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Julianne Hough joining judges on ‘Dancing With the Stars’

FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, file photo, actress Julianne Hough looks back for photographers at the premiere of the film "Let's Be Cops," in Los Angeles. "Dancing With the Stars" says two-time champion Hough is returning to the ballroom as a judge this season. She will preside alongside Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. The new season launches Sept. 15 on ABC. (Photo by Chris PizzelloInvision/AP, File)

Julianne Hough is returning to "Dancing With the Stars" — but not to dance.

The Utah native and two-time "DWTS" pro champ will be joining the judging panel for the reality-competition show's 19th season when it starts Sept. 15. The announcement was made this morning on "Good Morning America."

Hough will be the show's fourth judge, joining the established panel of Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. She's been a guest judge before, but this is a permanent assignment.

"My role is to encourage and be supportive, and to also be candid and honest and try not to beat around the bush, to be too politically correct," Hough said in an interview with People magazine. "I want to give critiques so they can improve. I'm not there to be harsh or cause a controversy. I won't be mean or malicious. That's not who I am. That's not my role at all."

Things may get interesting when Hough has to critique her brother Derek, who's signed on to compete this season.

"Derek has been known to be very good with his partnerships," Hough told People. "But it's not about my brother, nor is it about [pro dancers] Cheryl [Burke] or Mark [Ballas]. It's about the partnership and the celebrity who is dancing."