Derek Hough is an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer born on May 17, 1985. He’s known for his amazing moves in Latin and ballroom dancing. You might recognize him from his time on the TV show Dancing with the Stars, where he danced his way to victory a whopping six times with his famous partners.
His talent didn’t go unnoticed—he’s been nominated for the prestigious Primetime Emmy Awards 14 times for his outstanding choreography skills and has won the award four times. After his dancing days, he became a judge on the same show.
But Derek Hough’s talents don’t stop there. He’s also taken to the stage, performing in musicals like Footloose and New York Spring Spectacular. On the big screen, you might have seen him in the film Make Your Move or caught his recurring role in the TV series “Nashville.” And in 2016, he played Corny Collins in NBC’s live production of Hairspray.
From 2017 to 2020, he was a judge on another dance competition show, World of Dance. Derek’s versatility and passion for dance have made him a household name in the entertainment world.
| Full Name | Derek Bruce Hough |
| Date of Birth | May 17, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Occupation | Dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, television judge |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Spouse | Hayley Erbert (married 2023) |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | $8 Million |
Derek Hough’s Early Life and Education
Derek Hough’s upbringing was certainly immersed in the world of dance and music. Growing up in a family deeply connected to Latter-day Saint values in Sandy, Utah, he was surrounded by a rich cultural background. His parents Marianne and Bruce Hough shared a love for dance having met while part of a ballroom dancing team during their college years in Idaho. With all four of his grandparents being dancers themselves, it’s no surprise that dance runs in Derek’s blood.
His formative years took an unexpected turn when at the age of 12 his parents’ divorce prompted them to send him to London to study under dance coaches Corky and Shirley Ballas. This decision not only shaped Derek’s career but also reunited him with his sister Julianne who joined him in London later on. Under the guidance of the Ballas family, including their son Mark Ballas, Derek and Julianne received comprehensive training in various forms of dance and other performing arts at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
Their time in London extended far beyond the initially planned three months, stretching into a decade. During this period, the siblings, along with Mark, formed a pop music trio called 2B1G (“2 Boys, 1 Girl”). Their talent took them to various dance competitions in both the UK and the US, as well as onto the stages of UK television shows. Derek’s skills aren’t limited to dance; he’s also proficient in playing the piano, guitar, drums, and bass, showcasing his versatility and musical prowess.
It’s clear that Derek Hough’s journey to becoming the renowned dancer and performer he is today was shaped by a unique blend of familial influence, dedicated mentorship, and a passion for the arts that runs deep in his lineage.
Career
Dancer Derek Hough achieved several milestones early in his career winning the WDSF World Latin Championship in 2002 and the Blackpool U-21 Latin title in 2003 with Aneta Piotrowska. He’s been honored with LA’s Outstanding Dancer of the Year and New York Dance Alliance Outstanding Dance awards.
In 2013, Derek Hough was part of a special Emmy Awards choreography number joining other nominees in creating a unique performance with host Neil Patrick Harris. This effort earned him his first Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography. He later won a second Emmy in 2015 collaborating with Julianne Hough and Tessandra Chavez.
He also collaborated with Olympic ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White choreographing their gold-winning routine for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. This marked a historic first Olympic title for the United States in that event.
Hough and his sister Julianne announced a successful summer tour in 2014 “Move Live on Tour” which expanded due to high demand. The tour returned in 2015 visiting over 40 cities and featuring choreography by Nappytabs.
In 2016 they launched “Move Interactive” a series of fitness events aimed at promoting health and community interaction. Later they announced the “MOVE BEYOND Live on Tour” for 2017.
Derek Hough is a familiar face on Dancing with the Stars, but his journey on the show has been quite a ride! Let’s break it down:
- Season 4: Derek Hough started as a guest instructor alongside his sister Julianne and Apolo Anton Ohno. He officially joined as a pro in Season 5 with Jennie Garth but got eliminated in the semi-finals, landing fourth place.
- Season 6: Paired with Shannon Elizabeth, they finished sixth.
- Season 7: Partnered with Brooke Burke, they won the mirror ball trophy.
- Season 8: Teamed up with Lil’ Kim, they were eliminated in fifth place.
- Season 9: His partner was Joanna Krupa, and they finished fourth.
- Season 10: Won his second mirror ball trophy with Nicole Scherzinger.
- Season 11: Secured his third win with Jennifer Grey.
- Season 12: He skipped to work on a film.
- Season 13: Danced with Ricki Lake, who finished third.
- Season 14: Partnered with Maria Menounos, they were eliminated despite their high scores.
- Season 15: Reunited with Shawn Johnson and became runners-up.
- Season 16: Returned and won his fourth mirror ball trophy with Kellie Pickler.
- Season 17: Won his fifth mirror ball trophy with Amber Riley.
- Season 18: Paired with Amy Purdy, they finished as runners-up.
- Season 19: Returned with Bethany Mota, reaching the finals but finishing fourth.
- Season 20: Paired with Nastia Liukin, they made it to the semi-finals, finishing fourth.
- Season 21: Won his sixth mirror ball trophy with Bindi Irwin.
- Season 23: Returned with Marilu Henner but got eliminated, finishing sixth.
- In 2020, he replaced Len Goodman as a judge due to travel restrictions.
He continued judging for seasons 30 and 31 and became interim head judge for season 32 after Goodman’s retirement and passing.
Derek Hough’s journey on Dancing with the Stars has been full of highs, lows, and lots of mirror ball trophies!
In May 2017, Hough joined NBC’s new dance competition show World of Dance as a judge alongside Jennifer Lopez Ne-Yo and host Jenna Dewan. The series had the highest ratings for a new summer show in five years and was the most-watched in nine years. It was so popular that it continued for a second third and fourth season.
Hough’s early theater work included starring in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Millfield Theatre and dancing in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium.
In 2006, Derek Hough played the lead role in “Footloose: The Musical” in London’s West End and toured the UK with the production. His performance earned him a nomination for a theater award.
Hough made his Broadway debut in 2010 in “Burn the Floor” alongside Kym Johnson and Mary Murphy.
In 2015, Derek Hough was cast in the New York Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. He took a break from Dancing with the Stars to participate in the show.
Acting-wise Hough had cameo roles in “Harry Potter” and the “Philosopher’s Stone” in 2001 and “Rock of Ages” in 2012 where his sister Julianne starred. In 2011, he starred in his first film “Make Your Move” (also known as Cobu 3D).
He made guest appearances on various TV shows like Better with You and Jane the Virgin and joined the cast of Nashville for multiple episodes.
Derek Hough also appeared on BBC One’s DanceX and choreographed Cheryl Cole’s “Parachute” music video. He co-founded the Ballas Hough Band and directed Mark Ballas’ music video for “Get My Name.”
His first book Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion became a New York Times Best Seller in 2014.
In 2015, Derek Hough and Ballas flipped a house on HGTV’s Mark & Derek’s Excellent Flip.
He choreographed Lindsey Stirling’s music video for “The Arena” in 2016 and participated in American Ninja Warrior’s celebrity edition for Red Nose Day in 2017.
Hough announced a collaboration with Breaking Benjamin for their album Ember in 2018.
In 2019, he hosted NBC’s special Return to Downton Abbey: A Grand Event and underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis later that year.
In 2020, Hough signed a comprehensive deal with ABC Entertainment.
Net Worth
Derek Hough has an estimated net worth of $8 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The main source of Derek Hough’s net worth comes primarily from his career as a professional dancer, choreographer, and judge on various dance shows. He gained widespread fame through his appearances on “Dancing with the Stars,” where he not only competed but also later became a successful choreographer.
Hough has also ventured into acting, music, and hosting roles, contributing further to his earnings. His entrepreneurial ventures, including dance workshops and tours, also add to his financial success. Overall, his diverse talents and visibility in the entertainment industry have been the key drivers behind his substantial net worth.
Personal Life
Derek Hough has been married to Hayley Erbert, a dancer from DWTS, since 2023. They met during a tour in 2014-2015 and have been happy together since, celebrating birthdays and attending events as a couple.
Before Hayley, Derek dated a few other women. From 2000 to 2008, he was with British actress India de Beaufort. Then, during his time on Dancing With the Stars, he dated Shannon Elizabeth until 2009. In 2011, he had a short fling with designer Lauren Conrad.
He’s also been linked with Jonna Krupa in 2009, Nicole Scherzinger from 2010 to 2012, Cheryl Cole in 2010, Christina Jones in 2012, Kristin Chenoweth in 2012, Maria Menounos from 2012 to 2013, and actresses Nina Dobrev in 2013, Nikki Reed, and Nicole Houston in 2014.
