JULIANNE HOUGH - HOUGH TOLD TO COVER UP HEALTH SCARE

HOUGH TOLD TO COVER UP HEALTH SCARE

Country singer JULIANNE HOUGH went public about her health battle against the wishes of her management team, who urged her to cover the crisis up.
The starlet - a dance pro on reality show Dancing with the Stars - was forced to pull out of the contest for a week after she was hospitalised with a reported stomach ache.
Hough, 20, revealed on Monday (27Oct08) that she will undergo surgery this week to remove her appendix after she suffered a ruptured cyst on her ovary, caused by a condition called endometriosis.
She admits her representatives were concerned about her telling all about the health scare - but she was determined to be open and set a good example to female fans who could find themselves in the same situation.
She writes on her website, "Last week my management and the other people around me were trying to think of something else I could say that was wrong with me, but I was like, don’t worry.
"I want to be a good role model. I want to be honest. Maybe some girl out there won’t wait too long like I did."
Hough, who will have the appendix removed through her belly button so she won't be left with a scar, adds her plans to become a mother one day drove her decision to take swift action.
She continues, "I’m just glad I’m taking care of it now because I want to have babies some day."
Hough plans to return to Dancing with the Stars and hopes to take partner Cody Linley to this season's final.