Julianne Hough dances with host Nan Kelley on set of GAC's Top 20 Country Countdown. Photo by Jason Mease
June 1, 2009 — Julianne Hough may be co-starring in a movie with one of Carrie Underwood’s ex-boyfriends, and Dwight Yoakam has already shot scenes for a picture that would put him on screen for the second time with Kris Kristofferson.
Numerous country stars are making news because of their relationship to the silver screen. Here’s what’s up:
• Julianne took a screen test last week for a remake of the 1984 Kevin Bacon picture Footloose. She auditioned alongside Chase Crawford, who’s already on board for the movie, and she sang a couple of songs from the original soundtrack, noted for material by Kenny Loggins, Ann Wilson and Karla Bonoff. Since she’s already found success as both a singer and dancer, Julianne seems a natural for the part. "Chase is a really cool dude and we got along great," she told USA Weekend of the audition. "It was just fun. I don’t know what will happen, but just getting this far is really, really cool."
• Dwight and Kris both took part last fall in a Canadian shoot for The Last Rites Of Ransom Pride, which is being released in Los Angeles this month, according to imdb.com. In the meantime, they’ve both finished work on Provinces Of Night, a Southern drama with an undercurrent of dark comedy. Shooting was completed last month, according to The Wilmington Star News. Others featured in Provinces, which is slated for a 2010 release, include Hilary Duff, Val Kilmer and Hank Williams III.
• One of the essential songs from the George Strait movie Pure Country is likely being reused in the E! reality series "Kendra." The TV show is built around the life of Kendra Wilkinson, a former interest of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. She’s getting married this month to Philadelphia Eagles football player Hank Baskett. The wedding, slated for June 27, is expected to become part of the TV show. People reports the couple’s first dance will be "I Cross My Heart."
• The soundtrack to Hannah Montana continues to place high in the national album charts. With sales of 58,000 units, it remains at No. 2 on this week’s Billboard country album list behind Kenny Chesney’s Greatest Hits II. In addition to Miley and Billy Ray Cyrus, the CD also boasts Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts.