Derek Hough shares that he’s “absorbed” all of Hayley Erbert’s pregnancy emotions ahead of his Symphony of Dance: Encore tour.
Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on November 23, 2025, 1:03 PM
Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough are constantly in sync. As they get ready to birth their first child together, the Dancing With the Stars judge joked that he has "absorbed all of the pregnancy emotions" from his wife of two years.
"I'm freaking out or I'm emotional or I'm crying," in a special interview with news organizations, Derek revealed... "She has been the Zen Buddha, just at peace. She's been incredible."
Calling Hayley, 31, a "badass," the 40-year-old went on, "Honestly, it's been really amazing to watch, to observe and to just witness her being an incredible mother before she has this child."
However, Derek has also had quite the journey.
"I've been having classes with the doulas and midwives, learning all about the pregnancy," he clarified. "Just all these different things and all these tools to really understand this birth, because it's going to be a very intimate birth. It's going to be a little different, so I have to make sure I know what I'm doing."
Luckily, Derek has a wealth of mentoring experience. In his words, "I'm at my best as a person when I'm helping somebody or just being present and hearing them speak."
Additionally, he hopes that this sentiment will carry over into his position as a father.
"I get emotional thinking about it," as tears filled his eyes, Derek continued, "where I get to guide, mentor, love this human being from day one."
He grinned and went on, "It's gonna be amazing and I'm looking forward to what it all is going to do and mean for me as a dad, as a person, as a man and what's going to evolve within me and change."
He and Hayley are currently making an effort to treasure every second of this unique chapter. Derek said he occasionally needs to remind himself to slow down and enjoy the experience while setting up the nursery and getting ready for the June premiere of Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore, a 40-city dance tour across America.
"It's been such a crazy time," Derek revealed. "I can't believe how close it is. I forget sometimes and all of a sudden, I get reminded. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh!' It's kind of jolting and scary."
Nevertheless, the dancer is confident that everything will work out in the end.
"At the end of the day, the great piece of advice I've gotten is to trust your instincts," he stated. "It's going to kick in, you know?"
Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore tickets are now available.

Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough are constantly in sync. As they get ready to birth their first child together, the Dancing With the Stars judge joked that he has "absorbed all of the pregnancy emotions" from his wife of two years.
"I'm freaking out or I'm emotional or I'm crying," in a special interview with news organizations, Derek revealed... "She has been the Zen Buddha, just at peace. She's been incredible."
Calling Hayley, 31, a "badass," the 40-year-old went on, "Honestly, it's been really amazing to watch, to observe and to just witness her being an incredible mother before she has this child."
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However, Derek has also had quite the journey.
"I've been having classes with the doulas and midwives, learning all about the pregnancy," he clarified. "Just all these different things and all these tools to really understand this birth, because it's going to be a very intimate birth. It's going to be a little different, so I have to make sure I know what I'm doing."

Luckily, Derek has a wealth of mentoring experience. In his words, "I'm at my best as a person when I'm helping somebody or just being present and hearing them speak."
Additionally, he hopes that this sentiment will carry over into his position as a father.
"I get emotional thinking about it," as tears filled his eyes, Derek continued, "where I get to guide, mentor, love this human being from day one."
He grinned and went on, "It's gonna be amazing and I'm looking forward to what it all is going to do and mean for me as a dad, as a person, as a man and what's going to evolve within me and change."
He and Hayley are currently making an effort to treasure every second of this unique chapter. Derek said he occasionally needs to remind himself to slow down and enjoy the experience while setting up the nursery and getting ready for the June premiere of Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore, a 40-city dance tour across America.

"It's been such a crazy time," Derek revealed. "I can't believe how close it is. I forget sometimes and all of a sudden, I get reminded. I'm like, 'Oh my gosh!' It's kind of jolting and scary."
Nevertheless, the dancer is confident that everything will work out in the end.
"At the end of the day, the great piece of advice I've gotten is to trust your instincts," he stated. "It's going to kick in, you know?"

Derek Hough Symphony of Dance: Encore tickets are now available.
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