Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert have courageously shared their deeply personal story of experiencing a miscarriage, choosing Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month to reveal a “chapter of love, loss, heartbreak, and everything in between” that profoundly changed them, garnering an outpouring of support from fans and fellow dancers as they await the arrival of their rainbow baby.
The journey to parenthood is often filled with unexpected turns, and for beloved Dancing with the Stars duo Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert, it has been a path marked by both immense joy and profound sorrow. The couple, known for their captivating performances and public displays of affection, recently revealed a deeply personal struggle, opening up about a devastating miscarriage they experienced, a revelation that resonated deeply within their fan community.
A Moment of Profound Revelation
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Derek and Hayley took to social media to share their heartbreaking story. In an emotional Instagram video, the couple chronicled a period of immense love, followed by an unexpected loss. “There are some things in life that change you forever,” they captioned their post, “For us, this is one of those things. A chapter of love, loss, heartbreak, and everything in between. As we are now in October, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we share this part of our story to honor our baby that never made it earthside.” The raw honesty of their message underscored the silent struggle many families endure, shedding light on a topic often kept private.
Their revelation highlighted the somber statistic that “One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage,” a truth they experienced firsthand. Despite the pain, their message was ultimately one of hope, concluding with the powerful sentiment, “As we share this, know that there’s a rainbow not far behind.” This announcement came as the couple is currently expecting, having shared their pregnancy news in July, adding a layer of poignant reflection to their current joy.
The Strength to Endure: Hayley’s Health Journey
This isn’t the first time Hayley Erbert has faced a life-altering health challenge. In December 2023, while on their “A Symphony of Dance” tour, Hayley experienced a medical emergency that sent shockwaves through the fan community. After a performance in Washington D.C., she became disoriented and was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered she had a cranial hematoma, a collection of blood within the skull, often caused by a burst blood vessel in the brain, a condition the Mayo Clinic identifies as potentially life-threatening and requiring immediate treatment.
Hayley underwent an emergency craniectomy, followed by a cranioplasty, both procedures successfully performed by an exceptional medical team, including Dr. Mai, whom Derek credited with saving Hayley’s life. Derek, who had noticed Hayley’s disorientation, remained a steadfast pillar of support throughout her recovery. Fans rallied around the couple, sending an outpouring of prayers and positive energy, a sentiment Hayley’s mother, Debbie Schwartz, gratefully acknowledged, stating, “She’s a strong and mighty little thing and she’s got this.”
Just a month after her brain surgery, Derek tearfully dedicated his fourth Emmy win for choreographing a dance to “Higher” for DWTS to Hayley. As Entertainment Tonight reported, Derek’s emotional tribute emphasized resilience and love, stating, “This journey, these moments, they are all the more precious because of what we’ve endured together.” This previous health scare, coupled with their recent miscarriage revelation, highlights the profound strength and unity that defines their relationship.
Emotional Resonance on the Dance Floor
The emotional weight of their miscarriage experience also manifested publicly, albeit subtly at the time. The couple’s Instagram post detailing their loss included a clip from a DWTS scene in 2024 where they made a special appearance. In the footage, both Derek and Hayley were visibly emotional during their performance, a moment that takes on new and profound meaning in light of their recent revelation. Fans watching now can understand the deeper layer of sentiment and vulnerability they brought to the dance floor that year, transforming what might have seemed like a poignant performance into a testament to their private pain and enduring love.
A Community Rallies: Support from Friends and Fans
The outpouring of support for Derek and Hayley has been immense. Fellow DWTS dancers and friends immediately flooded their social media comments with messages of love and solidarity. “My dear friend, you are the strongest person I know!” commented Britt Stewart, acknowledging Hayley’s incredible resilience. Jenna Johnson also added her heartfelt support, “Love you both.” This camaraderie within the dance community showcases the deep bonds formed through years of shared experiences, both professional and personal.
The public nature of Derek and Hayley’s relationship, from their 2015 beginnings on DWTS to their August 2023 wedding and honeymoon in Italy, has created a deep connection with fans. Many have followed their journey, celebrating their triumphs and empathizing with their struggles. This open sharing of their miscarriage story strengthens that bond, creating a space for shared vulnerability and mutual support within their dedicated fan base.
Looking Ahead: A Rainbow on the Horizon
As the couple navigates their current pregnancy, the revelation of their past miscarriage serves as a powerful reminder of life’s fragility and the immense joy that can follow loss. Their message of a “rainbow not far behind” resonates deeply, signifying the hope and new beginnings they are embracing. While they have kept the baby’s gender under wraps, fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their little one, speculating about potential accidental reveals from Derek on recent DWTS episodes. Derek and Hayley’s willingness to share such a private and painful experience not only honors their baby that “never made it earthside” but also provides comfort and solidarity to countless others who have walked a similar path, cementing their legacy not just as dance stars, but as symbols of strength and vulnerability.
