Derek Hough is bringing his entire self to the dance floor.
While reflecting on the toll that bullying has on young people, the Dancing With the Stars judge revealed he experienced “some pretty extreme stuff” in his youth.
“For those of you who don't know this about me, I was severely bullied as a kid myself,” Derek said in an Oct. 13 Instagram video. “Being hung by a tree by my feet, being spat on, beaten up, a gun held in my head, even hog tied in the field for hours.”
The 40-year-old added, “That was a whole different level of what you might call physical and emotional torture.”
The dance pro—whose wife Hayley Erbert is pregnant with their first child—explained that his past experiences and the current digital age are inspiring him to build a better world for his kid.
“It really got me thinking about the world that we're shaping for each other,” he shared. “Somewhere along the line, we've almost been conditioned, maybe without even realizing it, that the fastest way for us to be noticed is to lean into negativity, to cut through the noise by putting others down or by being the loudest critic in the room.”
“I want to invite us all to pause,” he continued. “Of course, we should share our opinions and our voices, because each of us has something unique and valuable to say. And let's also ask ourselves, when we speak up, are we adding to the good in this world or just adding to the noise?”
And while calling for everyone to be a positive role model for others, Derek—who appeared to reveal he and Hayley are expecting a baby girl during the Oct. 14 episode of Dancing With the Stars—referenced becoming a dad once more.
“As I step into fatherhood, this is something that I'm committing to reflecting on, and I invite you to try it out,” he concluded. “I know there will always be negativity out there, but if you're up for a little reflection, let's pause before we post, before we comment and ask, ‘Am I being a force for good?’”
Among the many comments of praise for Derek’s vulnerability and challenge, his sister Julianne Hough shouted him out, writing, “Yes Derek—thank you for speaking up and being a force for good and spreading love and light.”
Read on to look back at Derek and Hayley’s romantic road to parenthood.
October 2015: Hayley Joins Dancing With the Stars
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert meet back in 2014 when she performed on his and sister Julianne Hough's tour. A Dancing With the Stars producer is impressed with Hayley and she is called to interview to join the show's troupe, getting the job the following year, according to the Hutchington News. Also in 2015, she and Derek begin dating.
July 2016: Derek & Hayley Step Out
The two begin going out to public events, including at the 2016 premiere of the Tony Robbins Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.
September 2016: Creative Arts Emmys Governors Ball
The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.
August 2017: Red Carpet Debut
The dancers make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Television Academy's 2017 Choreography Peer Group Celebration at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif.
September 2017: Emmys Date
Hayley joins Derek as his date for the Creative Arts Emmys, where he was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on Dancing With the Stars.
October 2017: Happy Halloween
The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.
November 2017: Christmas Tree Lighting
Hayley joins Derek as he hosts The Americana at Brand shopping mall's Christmas tree lighting event in Glendale, Calif.
May 2018: May the Force Be With You
The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
September 2018: Emmys After-Party Date
The couple steps out at HBO's post-Emmys celebration.
October 2019: They Are the Ones Who Hug
They aren't pumping the brakes as they attend the premiere of Netflix's El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
February 2020: Oscars Party Date
The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party.
November 2020: Disney Holiday Singalong
Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.
August 2021: Respect Premiere
The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.
August 2021: Emmy Winner
The partners appear at the Creative Arts Emmys, where Derek wins Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on Dancing with the Stars.
March 2022: Oscars Party Dance
The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.
May 2022: Top Gun: Maverick Premiere
They look top tier on the red carpet.
June 2022: Engaged
Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
June 2023: Elemental Premiere
The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.
August 2023: Just Married and Honeymoon
The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.
December 2023: In Sickness and in Health
Derek was by Hayley's side as she underwent emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel. "It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant," he wrote on Instagram over a week later. "Her recovery process has been nothing short of a miracle."
October 2024: Road to Recovery
After being given medical clearance to get back to performing, Hayley and Derek resumed their Symphony of Dance tour in April 2024. In October, she made her triumphant return to the ballroom as she joined her husband for an emotional routine set to Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things."
July 2025: Baby on the Way
The couple announced they'd be welcoming a new addition to their family as they revealed they were expecting their first baby together. Alongside an Instagram video unveiling their unborn child's sonogram, Hayley wrote, "We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small."