Julianne Hough Joins Judge Panel on 'Dancing With the Stars'

Julianne Hough has become the fourth judge on "Dancing with the Stars!"

The dancer/actress joins Carrie Anne Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli for the upcoming 19th season of ABC's dance competition.

"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," she told PEOPLE. "I want to give critiques so they can improve. I'm not there to be harsh or cause a controvery. I won't be mean or malicious. That's not who I am. That's not my role at all."

This won't be Hough's first time critiquing. A veteran pro of the show, she has served as a guest judge in previous seasons.

"It just feels like the perfect time to reconnect and be a part of where it all began, with my family," she says of making the move permanent.

This includes her literal family - brother Derek Hough will be returning as a pro, but Hough says she's not worried about judging him.

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

ABC has yet to announce which 12 celebrities will be featured this season. Tune into "Good Morning America" on Sept. 4th for the official line-up.

"Dancing with the Stars" returns to prime time on Monday, Sept. 15th.