Derek Hough, wife Hayley Erbert make emotional return to 'Dancing with the Stars'

ByGeorge Pennacchio

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert deliver moving performance on 'DWTS'

Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert delivered a moving performance on "Dancing with the Stars" Tuesday, marking Erbert's first time back in the ballroom since she underwent emergency brain surgery last year.

LOS ANGELES -- It was an especially emotional night on "Dancing with the Stars" on Tuesday.

Derek Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert, returned to dance in the ballroom for the first time since Erbert underwent brain surgery last year.

"It's always so special to be back in the ballroom, and the energy is always so welcoming. It was even more special tonight, just to be back here after not knowing if I would ever be able to dance again," Erbert said.

Back in December while on tour with Hough, Erbert had a medical emergency backstage during their show in Washington, D.C. She was rushed to the hospital.

"The doctor came to me and he said that she has a severe brain bleed and we have to operate right now. And he said that she might not make it and that even if she does make it, she won't be the same person," Hough recalled.

Erbert has been through a lot in her road to healing. But thankfully, she's recovered and returned to the "DWTS" ballroom in a remarkable show of strength and perseverance.

Derek and Hayley Hough dance on "Dedication Night" on "Dancing with the Stars."
Disney/Eric McCandless

"I truly feel like I am 98%. I'm like not quite there 100%, but I also just want to be better than before. So I'm still working with a team of doctors and doing rehabilitation constantly so that way I can be even better than I was," she said.

Hough said he's just thankful to have the opportunity to dance with his wife again and begin to share their story.

"The only time she ever cried was when I told her how much love was pouring in from so many people. And she said, 'You didn't even have to tell me that. I can feel it,'" Hough said.

"I felt it literally take over my entire body. I felt the love. I felt the support. I felt the prayers, and it was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had in my entire life, and it was a very spiritual moment for me," Erbert said.