What Happened to Derek Bruce Hough?
Derek Hough is an Emmy Award-winning professional dancer, choreographer, actor, and television personality, best known for his record-breaking six wins as a professional on 'Dancing with the Stars' and his current role as a judge on the show. In recent years, he married fellow dancer Hayley Erbert in August 2023, navigated her serious health scare in late 2023, and welcomed their first child, daughter Everley Capri Hough, in December 2025, all while continuing his successful touring career and television appearances.
Quick Answer
Derek Hough is currently a judge on 'Dancing with the Stars' and a host on 'Extra'. He became a first-time father in December 2025 with the birth of his daughter, Everley Capri Hough, with wife Hayley Erbert. Hough is also preparing for his 'Symphony of Dance: Encore' tour, which is scheduled to kick off in June 2026, and his wife Hayley is expected to join him on tour with their baby.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline16 events
Debut on Dancing with the Stars as a Professional Dancer
Derek Hough joined the cast of 'Dancing with the Stars' as a professional dancer, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
First Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
Hough won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography for his work on 'Dancing with the Stars'.
Met Hayley Erbert
Derek Hough met Hayley Erbert when she was hired as a dancer for his 'Move Live On Tour' with his sister Julianne Hough.
Second Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
Hough received his second Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, shared with Julianne Hough and Tessandra Chavez.
Became Judge on World of Dance
Derek Hough joined Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo as a judge on the NBC dance competition series 'World of Dance', a role he held until 2020.
Returned to Dancing with the Stars as a Judge
Hough made his return to 'Dancing with the Stars', this time joining the judging panel, a position he has maintained since.
Engaged to Hayley Erbert
Derek Hough proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Hayley Erbert, in a romantic setting.
Married Hayley Erbert
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony held in a redwood forest in Monterey, California.
Hayley Erbert Suffers Cranial Hematoma
During their 'Symphony of Dance' tour, Hayley Erbert suffered a cranial hematoma, requiring emergency brain surgery and a subsequent craniectomy.
Launched 'Dance for the Holidays' Tour
Hough embarked on his 'Derek Hough Dance for the Holidays' tour, visiting 40 cities across the US.
Hayley Erbert Returns to Stage
Following her recovery, Hayley Erbert made an emotional return to performing on stage with Derek Hough.
Announced Hayley's Pregnancy
Derek and Hayley announced via Instagram that they were expecting their first child together.
Began Hosting Extra
Hough took on a new role as a host for the long-running entertainment news program 'Extra', starting with its 32nd season.
Daughter Everley Capri Hough Born
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Everley Capri Hough.
Hosted 'Dance the Night Away' Benefit
Derek Hough hosted the 6th Annual Dance the Night Away benefit for the Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope, which raised $1.3 million.
Symphony of Dance: Encore Tour Begins
Derek Hough is set to kick off his 'Symphony of Dance: Encore' tour across the U.S., with Hayley Erbert and their daughter Everley expected to join him.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Derek Bruce Hough, born May 17, 1985, rose to prominence as a professional Latin and ballroom dancer. He gained widespread recognition for his tenure on the ABC dance competition series 'Dancing with the Stars' from 2007 to 2016, where he achieved a record-breaking six Mirrorball Trophy wins with various celebrity partners. His exceptional choreography earned him 14 nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards, winning four times. Beyond 'DWTS' as a pro, Hough expanded his career into acting, appearing in films like 'Make Your Move' and television shows such as 'Nashville' and 'Hairspray Live!'. From 2017 to 2020, he served as a judge on NBC's 'World of Dance'.
A significant turning point in Hough's career came in 2020 when he returned to 'Dancing with the Stars' as a permanent judge, a role he continues to hold alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. His personal life also saw major developments. He met fellow dancer Hayley Erbert in 2014 when she joined his 'Move Live On Tour' with his sister Julianne Hough, and they began dating a year later. After years of dating, Hough proposed to Erbert in July 2022, and they tied the knot in a picturesque redwood forest ceremony in Monterey, California, on August 26, 2023.
Shortly after their wedding, in December 2023, Erbert suffered a life-threatening cranial hematoma during their 'Symphony of Dance' tour, requiring emergency brain surgery. Hough openly shared the challenging journey of her recovery, describing her return to the stage in late 2024 as a 'miracle'. This period was a profound test for the couple, strengthening their bond. In July 2025, they announced they were expecting their first child, a joyous development following Erbert's health struggles.
As of March 2026, Derek Hough is a proud new father. He and Hayley welcomed their daughter, Everley Capri Hough, on December 29, 2025. Hough has expressed immense joy and a sense of being grounded by fatherhood, even choosing to skip the 2026 Grammys to be with his baby girl. In addition to his judging duties on 'Dancing with the Stars', Hough also began hosting 'Extra' in September 2025, representing the show at major events like the Oscars. He is currently preparing for his 'Symphony of Dance: Encore' tour, which is set to commence in June 2026 and run through mid-August. Hayley Erbert is also expected to join him on this tour, marking their first tour as a family with baby Everley.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Derek Bruce Hough made different choices?