Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert have bravely opened up about the profound highs and lows of their married life, sharing the emotional experience of a previous miscarriage while simultaneously celebrating Hayley’s miraculous recovery from life-threatening brain surgery, all as they joyfully prepare to welcome their first child, a daughter, into the world.
The journey to parenthood for Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert has been marked by both immense joy and profound challenges. The beloved Dancing With the Stars couple recently revealed a heartbreaking chapter of their lives, sharing that they had previously experienced a miscarriage.
This candid revelation comes as they eagerly await the arrival of their first baby, a testament to their resilience and openness in sharing their most personal moments with fans.
A Brave Revelation: Sharing Their Story of Miscarriage
In a deeply emotional video posted on their Instagram accounts on October 15, Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert courageously spoke about their past miscarriage. The couple made this announcement in honor of Pregnancy Loss and Awareness Month, aiming to shed light on a silent heartbreak many families endure. “This video is a tribute to a part of our story,” they wrote in the caption, calling it “A chapter of loss, love, celebration, heartbreak and everything in between.”
The video included tender clips of them sharing their initial pregnancy news with friends and family, and Hayley sweetly telling Derek he would be a father. The emotional montage culminated with the moment they learned of their loss. This raw honesty underscores their commitment to authenticity, echoing their sentiment that “One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, a silent heartbreak so many families know, and one we unfortunately had to experience,” as reported by People.
Expecting Their Rainbow Baby: A Glimpse into Parenthood
Despite the previous heartbreak, the couple announced in July that they are expecting their first baby together, a joyful occasion they refer to as their “rainbow baby.” The news was shared with a heartwarming video on Instagram, showing the couple embracing against a scenic backdrop as Erbert Hough revealed sonogram photos to the camera. “We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small ♥️,” they captioned the joint post.
The excitement for their new arrival is palpable. During an appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Derek shared his emotional anticipation, recounting the first time he felt the baby kick. “I felt the baby kick for the first time, and it was that feeling that everybody talks about and describes, where all of a sudden everything became vivid and different,” he told Hudson, emphasizing his eagerness to embrace fatherhood.
In an unexpected reveal on October 14 during a Dancing With the Stars episode, Derek appeared to accidentally share the sex of their baby. Following a powerful father-daughter dance, he reportedly began to say, “Watching you two dance really made me excited to have my own moment with my —” before stopping himself and saying, “with my own child.” This slip-up led many to believe they are expecting a daughter, a detail further reported by Entertainment Tonight.
Hayley’s Miraculous Recovery from Life-Threatening Brain Injury
Adding another layer to their incredible journey, Hayley Erbert faced a life-threatening health crisis in late 2023. She suffered a cranial hematoma due to a burst blood vessel, requiring emergency brain surgery. This harrowing event occurred shortly after the Dancing With the Stars season 32 finale, while the couple was performing in Washington D.C.
Derek has described Hayley’s recovery as nothing short of a miracle. In a tearful Instagram video update two months after her surgeries, Hayley shared her gratitude. “It’s been wild going from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows,” Derek stated in the video, praising Hayley’s “unbelievable perseverance and her acceptance of the whole situation, her strength.” Hayley, showing her buzzed hair and scar, echoed this sentiment, remarking, “a new outlook on life. Life is so precious. Spend time with the ones you love. Hold them close ’cause you never know what could happen,” as chronicled by Entertainment Tonight.
The couple recently performed an emotional dance to Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” on DWTS “Dedication Night,” a powerful moment signifying Hayley’s incredible return to the ballroom. They also revealed plans for a documentary chronicling Hayley’s illness and arduous recovery, with footage captured by filmmaker Jason Bergh. “Tonight was the beginning of us telling the full story,” Hough shared, indicating much more of their journey is yet to be revealed.
Strengthened by Adversity: Their Unbreakable Bond
Through every challenge, their mutual love and commitment have only grown stronger. Hayley credits Derek as her savior during her medical crisis, noting that “it strengthened us. It was truly so beautiful to see him step into that kind of role during that time in our life. It brought us together as a couple, even stronger.”
Derek, reflecting on Hayley’s recovery, emphasized the impossibility of her being back on stage so soon. “Being here seems impossible,” he stated, highlighting the sheer determination of his wife. Hayley’s stubborn spirit led her to rejoin Derek’s Symphony of Dance tour just four months after her surgery, a remarkable feat she admits wasn’t “100 percent” but driven by trust in her body.
Their upcoming tour, Derek Hough Dance for the Holidays, commencing in early November, holds special significance. “It feels appropriate [to do it then] in the sense that we have so much to be thankful for,” Derek expressed, intending to share a message of gratitude and miracles during the holiday season. The couple finds solace and strength in their shared experiences, asserting that their willingness to share their story stems from the undeniable reality of their love: “We’re very comfortable sharing our love for each other because it’s so real.”
