Derek Hough Reveals He’s Absorbed All of Hayley Erbert’s Pregnant Emotions
Derek Hough is always in sync with Hayley Erbert.
So much so, the Dancing With the Stars judge joked he’s “absorbed all of the pregnancy emotions” from his wife of two years as they prepare to welcome their first baby together.
“I’m freaking out or I’m emotional or I’m crying,” Derek shared in an exclusive interview with E! News. “She has been the Zen Buddha, just at peace. She’s been incredible.”
Calling Hayley, 31, a “badass,” the 40-year-old continued, “Honestly, it’s been really amazing to watch, to observe and to just witness her being an incredible mother before she has this child.”
But it’s been quite the journey for Derek as well.
“I’ve been having classes with the doulas and midwives, learning all about the pregnancy,” he explained. “Just all these different things and all these tools to really understand this birth, because it’s going to be a very intimate birth. It’s going to be a little different, so I have to make sure I know what I’m doing.”
Fortunately, Derek has plenty of experience being a mentor. As he put it, “I’m at my best as a person when I’m helping somebody or just being present and hearing them speak.”
It’s also sentiment he hopes will translate well into his role as a father.
“I get emotional thinking about it,” Derek said as tears welled up in his eyes, “where I get to guide, mentor, love this human being from day one.”
He continued with a smile, “It’s gonna be amazing and I’m looking forward to what it all is going to do and mean for me as a dad, as a person, as a man and what’s going to evolve within me and change.”
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
For now, he and Hayley are trying to cherish every moment of this special chapter. Between preparing for the June debut of Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore—a 40-city dance tour across America—and setting up the nursery, Derek said he sometimes has to remind himself to slow down and enjoy the journey.
“It’s been such a crazy time,” Derek shared. “I can’t believe how close it is. I forget sometimes and all of a sudden I get reminded. I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ It’s kind of jolting and scary.”
Still, the dancer knows it’ll all work out in the end.
“At the end of the day, the great piece of advice I’ve gotten is to trust your instincts,” he said. “It’s going to kick in, you know?”
Tickets for Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore are on sale now.
And for more on Derek and Hayley’s dance of a romance, keep reading…
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.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Leave a comment