If you’ve watched dance or entertainment television in the last 2 decades, you already know who Derek Hough is. He has become one of the most recognizable names in dance and entertainment, building a career that reaches far beyond the dance floor. When he sat down with Lauryn and Michael on The Bossticks, he was refreshingly honest about his journey.
From his mom basically dragging him to his first dance class when he wanted nothing to do with it to winning multiple Mirrorball Trophies and earning Emmy Awards, Derek’s journey is anything but ordinary! For the entire conversation, listen to the Derek Hough podcast with The Bossticks below.
But for now, we’re discussing who Derek Hough actually is, how he became famous, and the accomplishments that turned him into one of the most prominent figures in entertainment.
Who Is Derek Hough? Inside His Life and Career
Derek Hough is a professional dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, and television personality. His career spans competitive ballroom dancing, live touring productions, television judging, acting roles, and music performances, which is a rare range for anyone in entertainment.
Most people first met him through Dancing with the Stars, where he became the most successful professional in the show’s history. But what makes him interesting is how far past the ballroom he has taken it. More than most, he helped push ballroom dancing into mainstream, making it something mass television audiences genuinely cared about.
Interested in learning more about where your favorite dancers are today? Listen to the Kenzie Ziegler episode of The Bossticks next!
What Is Derek Hough Famous For?
Derek Hough has a resume few performers can match. Here’s what he’s best known for:
- Record-setting success on Dancing with the Stars, where he has won more seasons than any other pro dancer
- Multiple Mirrorball Trophy wins, (six in total!), more than any other professional dancer
- Emmy Award-winning choreography, with multiple wins for Outstanding Choreography
- Television hosting and judging roles that kept him on screen long after he stopped competing
- Live dance tours and stage productions that sold out venues across the country
Each of those alone would make a career. Together, they explain why Derek’s name comes up in almost any conversation about modern dance on television.
How Did Derek Hough Get Famous?
Derek’s rise was not an overnight thing. It was a series of deliberate steps, each one building on the last. Here is how it happened:
Professional Ballroom Dance Competitions
Derek started out as a drummer, playing in a Beach Boys tribute band before dance ever entered the picture. He actually accredits this experience for his deep sense of musicality! Once he found dance in Salt Lake City, he got serious fast.
At just 12 years old, he begged his parents to let him move to England to train, because he knew he needed to be around the best to become the best. He ended up training with Shirley and Corky Ballas, the parents of his lifelong friend Mark Ballas. From there, what was supposed to be a few months worth of training turned into nearly a decade of competing and becoming a champion. That early, serious training in competitive ballroom is the foundation everything else was built on.
Joining Dancing with the Stars as a Professional Dancer
His big break came when he joined Dancing with the Stars as a professional. The wins came quickly. He took home the mirrorball with Nicole Scherzinger, then again with Jennifer Grey. But his success didn’t end there. In Season 16, he won alongside country star Kellie Pickler, followed by a back-to-back victory in Season 17 with Glee star Amber Riley.
However, his teaching is part of what made him special. He still tells the story of coaching Kellie Pickler through paralyzing nerves by getting her to swap the word “nervous” for “excited,” a mindset trick he uses to this day.
Building a Fan Base Through Television Appearances
Week after week on Dancing with the Stars, Derek became paramount to the series’ success. Returning in Season 20, he continued showing up season after season, partnering with celebrities like actress Marilu Henner (Season 23) and YouTube star Bethany Mota (Season 19), who he guided deep into the competition.
He also told Lauryn and Michael that he has plenty of favorites over the years. He has called Bindi Irwin one of his most special partners, who he won Season 21 with, partly because he idolized her late father. Derek also named Nicole Scherzinger the best pure dancer he ever competed with. Needless to say, every season added to his audience.
Huge fan of the Pussycat Dolls? Us too. Listen to Carmen Electra’s episode on The Bossticks to hear about her experience with the group!
Expanding Into Choreography, Acting, and Music
Derek refused to be boxed in as only a competitor. His choreography earned him recognition across the industry and a string of 14 Emmy Award nominations and wins for Outstanding Choreography. But dancing wasn’t where his resume ends; he also expanded into acting. Following years of theater work before coming to America, Derek starred as Ren in the West End production of Footloose in London. He also later appeared in the ABC series Nashville AND the film Make Your Move!
Derek then performed at the 2015 New York Spring Spectacular staged at the legendary Radio City Music Hall. Ultimately, he leaned into music and live performances, proving he was far more than a ballroom specialist.
If you’re like us and can’t get enough of dancing icons, listen to the Amanda Kloots episode on The Bossticks! She tells Lauryn and Michael all about her experience performing as a Radio City Rockette.
Transitioning Into a Judging Role and Broader Entertainment Opportunities
After retiring as a competitor, Derek stepped behind the judges’ table on Dancing with the Stars beginning in Season 29, a role he has held ever since. He has said that becoming a teacher and serving his partners is part of what pulled him out of a self-focused competitive mindset. And that perspective shows in how he judges!
Before that, though, Derek had already expanded his reach. He was a judge on the hit NBC reality TV dance competition, World of Dance, alongside Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo. He has since taken on even more on-camera work, including stepping in as a host of the entertainment news show Extra.
What Award Did Derek Hough Win?
Derek’s trophy shelf is genuinely stacked. Here are the wins and honors that set him apart:
- 4 Emmy Awards for choreography, with multiple wins for Outstanding Choreography out of more than a dozen career nominations
- Dancing with the Stars championships, earning six mirrorball trophies in total, which is the most of any professional in franchise history
- Industry recognition for live performances, including sold-out national tours and headline stage productions
- Career milestones that distinguish him from other television personalities, from his record-setting DWTS run to his Las Vegas residency
What makes his story refreshing is that he is honest about what those trophies did and did not do. He opened up on the show about hitting a dark, depressed stretch right after his third DWTS win and his first Emmy, realizing he had the science of achievement without the art of fulfillment. That combination of competitive dominance and hard-won perspective is what makes his career so astounding.
What Does Derek Hough Do?
So what does Derek Hough actually do day to day now? The honest answer is… a LOT. His career has evolved far beyond competitive dancing into a whole portfolio of entertainment ventures. Here are the main roles he plays.
Television Judge
Derek currently sits on the judging panel of Dancing with the Stars, where he brings a pro’s eye and a performer’s empathy to every critique. Having lived through the competition himself, he judges with a level of insight most panelists cannot offer.
Choreographer
Choreography is arguably Derek’s deepest craft. His outstanding choreography has earned him Emmy Awards and continues to be in demand for major productions and televised events. He recently choreographed the special opening number for the show’s milestone anniversary season, a tribute moment that honored the program’s history. It’s the talent that launched his career, and it remains one of his greatest strengths.
Performer
At his core, Derek is a performer. He has headlined live shows, danced on the biggest stages in the country, and continues to perform in productions that showcase the skill set he has built since he was a kid in Salt Lake City.
Producer
Derek doesn’t just appear in projects; he builds them. He has created and produced his own live tours and shows, shaping the creative vision from the ground up. That entrepreneurial, build-it-yourself streak is something Lauryn and Michael frequently discuss with their guests. If you want more insight on that mindset, read our post on the habits of a successful entrepreneur!
Actor
Acting has been part of Derek’s story since his early days as Ren in the production of Footloose. He has carried that into film and television roles, adding another dimension to an already wide career.
Live Tour Performer and Creator
Some of the work Derek is most proud of has happened on the road! More specifically, he created and starred in MOVE – Beyond – Live on Tour with his sister, Julianne Hough, selling out 50 cities. Following this, the two built a string of sold-out tours together over the years.
Touring is also where his personal life and career collided in the best way. He met his wife, Hayley Erbert, when she auditioned as a dancer for that first tour with Julianne. After Hayley recovered from a frightening health emergency that happened on stage, the two are back on the road together this summer with a 40-city tour he created called Symphony of Dance Encore.
From the ballroom to Broadway and beyond, Derek Hough has built a career defined by versatility, creativity, and unwavering passion.
From competitive ballroom and the judges’ table to Radio City Music Hall and his own tours, Derek Hough has turned a childhood love of dance into one of the most complete careers in entertainment. To hear his full story in his own words, from the bullying he survived as a kid to the perspective he has now, watch the episode above! Also, don’t forget to subscribe to The Bossticks YouTube for more conversations with people worth learning from.