Derek Hough got choked up while accepting the Creative Arts Emmy Award for outstanding choreography for variety or reality programming on Jan. 7.
The “Dancing With the Stars” judge on Sunday dedicated his latest award to his wife, Hayley Erbert, who is recovering from skull surgery following a major health scare in December.
“What a stark contrast this has been. I just flew in from Washington, D.C., last night,” he continued. “I want to dedicate this to my beautiful wife. Your strength and your courage this whole month [have] been unbelievable. You inspire me every day.”
Mr. Hough’s Emmy for the choreography of Michael Buble’s “Higher” on ABC’s popular dance competition show marked the fourth win in his career. He has received 13 nominations since 2009.
The couple, who wed in August 2023, were performing their Symphony of Dance tour in Washington when Ms. Erbert became disoriented. The 29-year-old was rushed to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma and underwent an emergency operation to help relieve pressure on her brain.
Admitted to the Hospital
“At the end of last night’s tour performance in Washington, D.C., my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital,” Mr. Hough wrote in a Dec. 7 post on Instagram. “She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy. She is in stable condition.“I want to thank the first responders and medical personnel who have cared for and continue to care for her. I ask for your prayers and positivity during this time,” he continued.
About a week later, Mr. Hough shared an update on his wife’s progress following surgery, along with a video of the couple walking arm in arm at the National Mall.
“As you all know, the past week has been a challenging journey for us due to a life-threatening event that suddenly came into our lives. It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage to a nightmare in an instant. But today, we are filled with hope and relief,” he said.
He went on to say his wife’s recovery was going well and that it was “nothing short of a miracle.”
“It’s been a profound reminder of how fragile life can be and how quickly things can change,” Mr. Hough wrote. “But, it has also shown us the incredible strength and resilience that lies within us and the power of having a supportive community around us.”
Two weeks after the initial operation, Ms. Erbert underwent a second surgery to repair her skull.
“With immense relief, gratitude and overwhelming joy, I'd like to share that Hayley’s cranioplasty surgery has been successfully completed as planned,” the relieved husband wrote on Instagram on Dec. 21.
Ms. Erbert’s follow-up surgery “marks a significant milestone in my wife’s recovery, and your support has played a crucial role in getting us here,” Mr. Hough wrote. “We are filled with hope and optimism for the future, knowing she is on the path to a full recovery, surrounded by such a loving community.”
On New Year’s Eve, he shared his reflections on the events of the past year in a video post.
“The pinnacle of this year’s journey was committing our love to one another in a breathtaking fairytale wedding, followed by an enchanting honeymoon in Italy,” wrote Mr. Hough. “These experiences are treasures of gratitude, reminding us of life’s splendor and its fleeting nature. Each day of our extraordinary journey teaches us to cherish every fleeting moment.”
