"Dancing with the Stars" judge Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert share their emotional journey after Erbert's near-fatal brain surgery, highlighting her remarkable recovery and the couple's unbreakable bond.
After a year of emotional turmoil, "Dancing with the Stars" judge Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert have returned to the dance floor with renewed appreciation and gratitude. On a recent "Dedication" night of the show, the couple performed an emotional dance, marking almost a year since Erbert underwent emergency brain surgery.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Hough shared the tumultuous journey they have endured. "It's been a long year of ups and downs," he said. "It was really special to be here tonight in this ballroom and being in a point where we didn't ever [think] it would be possible to be back in this room and then to be here again. It was just a remarkable, remarkable journey."
Derek Hough and Wife Hayley Erbert's Miraculous Recovery from Brain Surgery
In December 2022, Erbert, a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars," experienced disorientation after a performance and was hospitalized. She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel, requiring an emergency craniectomy. "The doctors told me that… she might not make it, but then they told me that she most definitely will not be the same person," Hough recalled. "So, either way, I was basically told that I've lost her. And that was unbelievably devastating."
"Then to flash forward, to be here, to be dancing with her… it really, really is a miracle, truly," he added.
Derek Hough and Wife Hayley Erbert's Miraculous Recovery from Brain Surgery
Erbert detailed her road to recovery with Fox News Digital, expressing her gratitude for being able to dance again. "The initial part of my recovery was the toughest because… he was told that I might not survive. I was told that I might not be able to walk or dance ever again," she said. "Dance has always been a part of my life since I was three years old… And to be told that is the most devastating thing because… that's literally a part of me that's being ripped out."
The couple, who began dating in 2015 and married in August 2023, performed a sentimental ballroom routine to "Beautiful Things (Acoustic)" by Benson Boone. Their dance symbolized their resilience and the bond they have built through adversity.
Derek Hough and Wife Hayley Erbert's Miraculous Recovery from Brain Surgery
Hough's sister, Julianne, who is also a professional dancer, was among those who provided constant support during Erbert's recovery. "I just wanted to be there and support them in any way that I could," she said. "I'm just so proud of them."
"Dancing with the Stars" alum Mark Ballas shared his experience as one of the first to receive a call from Hough regarding Erbert's surgery. "That was one of the most intense phone calls I've ever had," he said. "I was with him through a lot of this. My wife and I were on our hands and knees when we got the call, like hoping, praying for a miracle."
Derek Hough and Wife Hayley Erbert's Miraculous Recovery from Brain Surgery
The couple's journey serves as a testament to the power of love, support, and determination. Through their resilience and unwavering belief, Erbert has made a remarkable recovery, inspiring others and reminding them of the importance of cherishing every moment.
