Why Derek Hough Is Enjoying Even the S--ttiest Parts of Fatherhood
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Derek Hough Reveals His "Massive" Personal Gift for Hayley Erbert on Mother's Day
For Derek Hough, parenting is truly filled with s--ts and giggles.
And, no, he doesn't give a you-know-what about having to deal with the messier parts of fatherhood. Take 5-month-old daughter Everley's first flight, tagging along as mom Hayley Erbert and Dad flew to New York City for the June 7 premiere of their Symphony of Dance documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival.
"She was great until we landed," the Dancing With the Stars judge told E! News in an exclusive interview, "and then I had a nice surprise on my chest."
As in, a code brown. Erbert chiming in, "a.k.a. blowout."
Not that the mess put the 41-year-old in a foul mood.
"It's one of those things, again, whatever you focus on is what you feel," he explained of his urge to dance for joy at each one of his daughter's milestones. "I was like, 'You know, what, I'm lucky that I get to have this on my chest right now.'"
Because it's not as if all his parenting moments are full of crap.
"I mean, she's giggling, she's smiling, grabbing her toes, she's in happy baby position," marveled Hough, celebrating his first Father's Day June 21. "Every day is something different, something new. It's been incredible."
Hayley Erbert/Instagram
And getting to experience life as a trio is that much sweeter considering everything they've been through.
More than two years after undergoing emergency brain surgery, suffering a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel during the couple's December 2023 Symphony of Dance tour performance in Washington, D.C, "I'm doing great now," Erbert, 31, raved to E! News. "I feel really strong, really healthy. I welcomed a beautiful baby girl into this world five months ago, so I feel, I feel really, really amazing."
Hough is feeling equally on top of his game as he waltzes into his new role as a dad.
"I grew up in Utah where you get married at 19, you have kids at 20, 21," he told E! News weeks after her January arrival, "so it's crazy that I'm 40 years old and I'm just now entering into this chapter."
Thankfully, he's a quicky study.
"I've had such a full and rich life," noted the four-time Emmy winner. "I was like, 'Wow, I've done so much in my life already, and now I get to start over.' It's all brand new. I get to do this whole life thing, but in a totally different way now, and it has a lot more meaning and fulfillment and excitement."
And that's certainly cause for celebration.
As Hough revels in his first Father's Day, we're running back all the moves that led him and Erbert to this moment.
Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
October 2015: Hayley Joins Dancing With the Stars
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert meet back in 2014 when she performed on his and sister Julianne Hough's tour. A Dancing With the Stars producer is impressed with Hayley and she is called to interview to join the show's troupe, getting the job the following year, according to the Hutchington News. Also in 2015, she and Derek begin dating.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Tony Robbins
July 2016: Derek & Hayley Step Out
The two begin going out to public events, including at the 2016 premiere of the Tony Robbins Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.
Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
September 2016: Creative Arts Emmys Governors Ball
The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.
David Livingston/Getty Images
August 2017: Red Carpet Debut
The dancers make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Television Academy's 2017 Choreography Peer Group Celebration at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif.
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
September 2017: Emmys Date
Hayley joins Derek as his date for the Creative Arts Emmys, where he was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on Dancing With the Stars.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Casamigos Tequila
October 2017: Happy Halloween
The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.
Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Caruso
November 2017: Christmas Tree Lighting
Hayley joins Derek as he hosts The Americana at Brand shopping mall's Christmas tree lighting event in Glendale, Calif.
Phillip Faraone/WireImage
May 2018: May the Force Be With You
The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
September 2018: Emmys After-Party Date
The couple steps out at HBO's post-Emmys celebration.
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
October 2019: They Are the Ones Who Hug
They aren't pumping the brakes as they attend the premiere of Netflix's El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
February 2020: Oscars Party Date
The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party.
ABC via Getty Images
November 2020: Disney Holiday Singalong
Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
August 2021: Respect Premiere
The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
August 2021: Emmy Winner
The partners appear at the Creative Arts Emmys, where Derek wins Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on Dancing with the Stars.
Brian Feinzimer/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
March 2022: Oscars Party Dance
The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
May 2022: Top Gun: Maverick Premiere
They look top tier on the red carpet.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards
June 2022: Engaged
Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
David Livingston/WireImage
June 2023: Elemental Premiere
The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.
Instagram / Derek Hough
August 2023: Just Married and Honeymoon
The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.
December 2023: In Sickness and in Health
Derek was by Hayley's side as she underwent emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel. "It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant," he wrote on Instagram over a week later. "Her recovery process has been nothing short of a miracle."
Disney/Eric McCandless
October 2024: Road to Recovery
After being given medical clearance to get back to performing, Hayley and Derek resumed their Symphony of Dance tour in April 2024. In October, she made her triumphant return to the ballroom as she joined her husband for an emotional routine set to Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things."
Disney/Eric McCandless
July 2025: Baby on the Way
The couple announced they'd be welcoming a new addition to their family as they revealed they were expecting their first baby together. Alongside an Instagram video unveiling their unborn child's sonogram, Hayley wrote, "We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small."
December 2025: Welcoming Everley
Derek and Hayley welcomed their baby girl, Everley Capri Hough, on Dec. 29, 2025, writing in a joint Instagram post, "Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed."
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