Derek Hough Reflects On His Long History With ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Derek Hough from Instagram

Derek Hough has been a staple of the Dancing With The Stars universe for quite some time. The pro dancer is 36 today but began his run on the show at just 22-years-old. He currently holds the record for the most Mirrorball Trophies won — he has six of them. After stepping away from the show for a while, Derek returned in Season 29 and now sits behind the judges’ table. He’s come very far and fans couldn’t be happier for him.

The pro dancer recently sat down with Good Housekeeping to discuss his run on the show.

“It’s funny how I look back at my first season and I look about 12-years-old and then I think about all the different things — winning six times, coming second twice, and then, of course, all the amazing partners and people I’ve met and performances — and now being a judge. It’s just sort of crazy,” he told the publication. “Even though I was 22 when I joined the show, I feel like I grew up on that show.”

Derek Hough believes in the future of the show, even if some changes weren’t very popular

Dancing With The Stars fans felt really surprised to learn about all the changes that happened just before Season 29. Although Derek Hough just wants to put on a good show, he understands why some fans are unhappy. Fans didn’t hold back at all when ABC replaced Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews with Tyra Banks.

“With every shift there are growing pains, with every change there are going to be opinions,” Derek said. “And, by the way, for me, I always feel when there are different opinions about something, it just means people care.”

And if anyone cares a lot about DWTS, it’s Derek Hough. All the pros felt that it was challenging to put on a great show without a live audience, but all the cast and crew banded together to make Season 29 happen. Derek Hough and his girlfriend Hayley Erbert even performed an amazing Paso Doble. Derek earned an Emmy nomination for choreographing the routine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj5tXdWEb5o

Who does the judge want to appear on DWTS Season 30?

ABC confirmed Derek Hough will come back for Season 30. If you loved watching him judge the competition, you can see him when the show returns on September 20. There isn’t an official cast list yet, but rumors continue to swirl. Many fans believe Chris Harrison and LeAnn Rhimes will be part of the cast.

As for Derek, he really hopes either Dixie or Charli D’Amelio will appear this year.

“I think it’d be really cool to see one of the D’Amelio sisters on there,” the DWTS judge said in an exclusive interview with Hollywood Life. “Charli’s a really talented dancer and she’s obviously crushing it in the content, TikTok world. I think she would be really good. I think she’d be awesome!”

Do you agree with Derek? Who do you really want to see appear in Season 30? We want to hear from you.

Nikole Behrens
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