Derek Hough shares his experiences of fatherhood, reflecting on the joys and challenges, including his daughter's first flight and his journey with partner Hayley Erbert.
Derek Hough describes his experience as a parent as filled with both challenges and joyful moments. The 41-year-old judge from 'Dancing With the Stars' shared his thoughts with E! News, emphasizing that he embraces even the messier aspects of fatherhood. Recently, he recounted an incident on a flight to New York City with his 5-month-old daughter Everley and partner Hayley Erbert for the June 7 premiere of their documentary, 'Symphony of Dance,' at the Tribeca Film Festival. Hough humorously noted, 'She was great until we landed, and then I had a nice surprise on my chest,' referring to a diaper mishap which Erbert described as a 'blowout.'
Despite the unexpected incident, Hough maintained a positive outlook, expressing gratitude for the experience. He stated, 'It's one of those things, again, whatever you focus on is what you feel,' highlighting his desire to celebrate each milestone with his daughter. He added, 'I was like, 'You know, what, I'm lucky that I get to have this on my chest right now.''
Hough's sentiment reflects his overall enjoyment of fatherhood. He described his daughter as joyful, stating, 'I mean, she's giggling, she's smiling, grabbing her toes, she's in happy baby position.' As he prepared to celebrate his first Father's Day on June 21, he remarked, 'Every day is something different, something new. It's been incredible.'
The couple's journey to parenthood has been particularly meaningful given their past experiences. Hayley Erbert, 31, recently recovered from emergency brain surgery after suffering a cranial hematoma due to a burst blood vessel during a performance in December 2023. She shared her current state with E! News, saying, '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 expressed his excitement about entering fatherhood later in life. He noted, 'I grew up in Utah where you get married at 19, you have kids at 20, 21,' reflecting on how his own path has been different. He continued, 'It's crazy that I'm 40 years old and I'm just now entering into this chapter.'
He also acknowledged the richness of his life experiences leading up to this point, saying, 'I've had such a full and rich life. 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.'
As Hough revels in his new role as a father, their relationship timeline highlights the journey that brought them to this moment. The couple first met in 2014 when Hayley performed on Derek's tour, and she joined 'Dancing With the Stars' the following year. They began dating in 2015, and their relationship has blossomed over the years, marked by numerous public appearances and milestones.
In October 2015, Hayley joined 'Dancing With the Stars,' leading to her audition for the troupe. By July 2016, the couple was publicly attending events together, such as the premiere of the Tony Robbins documentary in 2016. They made their red carpet debut in August 2017 at a Choreography Peer Group Celebration and continued to support each other through various significant events, including Emmy nominations and Halloween parties.
The couple's relationship deepened over the years, with notable moments like their engagement in June 2022 and their wedding on August 26, 2023, followed by a honeymoon in Italy. They welcomed Everley Capri Hough on December 29, 2025, sharing their joy on social media. Hough expressed, 'Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed.'
Hough and Erbert's journey also reflects resilience, as they navigated Erbert's health challenges after her surgery. Hough was supportive during her recovery, describing it as a time filled with uncertainty but ultimately leading to a miracle. As they embrace parenthood, they look forward to new adventures together.
