You’ve seen the glitz. You’ve seen the perfect 10s and the Emmy-winning choreography. But behind the scenes of Derek Hough’s whirlwind life is a woman who, quite frankly, redefined what it means to be resilient.
Hayley Erbert isn't just "Derek Hough’s wife." Honestly, that's a bit of a disservice. She’s a powerhouse dancer in her own right—a woman who survived a literal nightmare and came out the other side with a baby girl and a renewed sense of purpose.
If you’re wondering who she is beyond the Instagram headlines, you’ve come to the right place.
The Meet-Cute That Actually Happened
Most Hollywood romances feel kinda staged. This one? It was strictly business at first. Back in 2014, Derek and his sister, Julianne Hough, were putting together their Move Live on Tour. They needed the best of the best. They hired Hayley.
She was 19, a Kansas girl from Topeka who had already made it to the Top 6 on So You Think You Can Dance. She was good. Really good.
It wasn't long before she caught the eye of the Dancing with the Stars producers. She joined the troupe in Season 21. That’s the same season Derek won with Bindi Irwin. Somewhere between the rehearsals and the spray tans, sparks flew.
They kept it quiet. Seriously quiet. They didn't even go "Instagram official" until 2017. While the world was busy speculating about Derek's dating life, he was already falling for the woman he’d eventually call his "miracle."
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A Wedding in the Redwoods
Fast forward through seven years of dating. On August 26, 2023, they finally tied the knot. It wasn't some stuffy ballroom affair. They chose a redwood grove in Monterey County, California.
Think "regal forest vibes."
Hayley wore a custom Marchesa gown that was basically the definition of timeless. Derek was in Tom Ford. They danced their first dance to "Fall Into Me" by Forrest Blakk. It was the kind of wedding that makes you believe in the whole "soulmate" thing.
But life has a weird way of testing those "in sickness and in health" vows way sooner than anyone expects.
The Night Everything Changed
December 2023. They were on their Symphony of Dance tour. Life was perfect. Until it wasn't.
After a show in Washington, D.C., Hayley became disoriented. It happened fast. One minute she's taking a bow, the next she's being rushed to the hospital still wearing her stage costume.
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The diagnosis was terrifying: a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel.
She needed an emergency craniectomy. That means surgeons had to remove a large portion of her skull to relieve the pressure on her brain. Derek later admitted he felt like she was "essentially dying" in his arms.
The Long Road Back
- December 7, 2023: The first emergency surgery.
- December 20, 2023: A second surgery (cranioplasty) to replace the portion of her skull.
- Spring 2024: Against all odds, she starts walking, then training, then dancing again.
Watching her return to the DWTS ballroom in October 2024 was... a lot. They danced to "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone. There wasn't a dry eye in the building. Derek stood back at the end and let her have the spotlight. She earned it.
Enter Baby Everley
If 2024 was the year of survival, 2025 was the year of pure joy. In July, they announced they were expecting.
"We can't believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small," Hayley wrote.
On December 29, 2025, they welcomed their daughter, Everley Capri Hough. It was the perfect ending to a three-year stretch that would have broken most people. Hayley recently shared an update on the two-year anniversary of her surgery, saying she was "proud of her body for everything it has endured."
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From fighting for her life to creating life. That’s some powerful stuff.
What’s Next for the Houghs?
Now that they are a family of three, things are changing. But they aren't slowing down. They’ve already teased plans for a new U.S. dance tour.
Hayley has proven she’s the backbone of that partnership. She isn't just a supporting character; she’s the one who survived the unimaginable and kept the rhythm going.
How to stay updated on Hayley Erbert:
- Follow her Instagram: She’s remarkably open about her health journey and motherhood.
- Watch their YouTube: The "Derek & Hayley" channel is where they post the real, unedited moments of their lives.
- Check the DWTS schedule: Don't be surprised if she makes more guest appearances now that she's fully recovered.
Hayley’s story is a reminder that even when the music stops unexpectedly, you can still find your way back to the dance floor. Just keep moving.