The moment was electric. During the special 20th-anniversary episode of Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday night, the ballroom lights dimmed and the music swelled — and there, in the centre of the spectacular celebration, stood Tom Bergeron, returning to the show for the first time since his exit in 2020. People.com+2EW.com+2
As Tom made his way to join current hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, Julianne visibly struggled to hold back tears, pausing mid-sentence and leaning into Tom for what looked like a heartfelt hug. Daily Express US+1
What makes this emotional reaction even more meaningful is the history between them. Tom hosted the show from its very first season in 2005 until 2020 — nearly two decades of gloss, rhythm and live TV, including when Julianne herself was a pro dancer on the show. People.com+1
🎬 Why the tears?
- For Julianne, this wasn’t just a TV moment: it was a reunion with a mentor and longtime colleague. Her teary reaction suggested deep respect and affection.
- For the show and fans alike, Tom’s return felt like a homecoming: nostalgia for the old days, mingled with the excitement of watching something familiar reappear live on-air. People.com+1
- Behind the scenes, Tom’s exit in 2020 was not without controversy — he had publicly expressed frustration at the direction the show was taking. People.com+1 Thus his return added layers of reconciliation and closure.
📺 What happened on the show?
On November 11 2025 the show marked its 20-year milestone. Tom was brought in as the honorary guest judge for week 9 of season 34. Julianne introduced him, and as she said the words the camera caught the tear welling up in her eye. People.com+1
Tom greeted Julianne with warmth, saying: “Hi sweetheart, I am thrilled to be here, what a rush.” The hug followed, and Julianne appeared to draw strength from the moment. People.com
Viewers immediately took to social media to express how moved they were — many said they were “already crying” at just the opening moments. Daily Express US
🕰 A little back-story
- Tom Bergeron had been at the helm of the show since its launch in 2005 until his departure in 2020. People.com
- Julianne Hough, before becoming co-host in 2023, danced as a pro on the show during the earlier seasons — so her bond with the show, and with Tom’s era, runs deep.
- Tom’s exit involved creative disagreements: he later revealed he was “not surprised” to be let go, citing “a show that I left was not the show that I loved.” The Hollywood Reporter+1
✅ Why this moment matters
- It’s a win for long-time fans who felt the earlier seasons had something magical — and Tom’s return acknowledges that legacy.
- It shows a bridge between past and present: current host Julianne embracing the show’s history rather than distancing from it.
- Emotion sells. The teary moment, captured live, gives viewers something human, raw, and genuine — in a world of polished reality TV.
In short: when Julianne Hough burst into tears live on television, she wasn’t just reacting to a person walking onto a stage — she was reacting to two decades of shared dances, memories, changes, evolution and the return of an era. For many viewers, that made the moment unforgettable.