Derek Hough and his wife recently spoke about their upcoming dance tour, which comes several months after Hayley Erbert suffered a near-fatal brain bleed.
On October 18 (2024), dynamic dancing couple Derek and Hayley Erbert Hough caught up with ET‘s Cassie DiLaura to discuss their “Dance for the Holidays Tour.” During the conversation, Hayley’s health became a topic of discussion, as this event marks her return to the tour stage after she underwent emergency brain surgery last year (2023).
Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough at The Walt Disney Company’s Emmy Awards Celebration in Los Angeles, California on September 15, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
At first, the trio swooned over the exciting things Derek and Hayley have in store for the public concerning their tour. Derek announced the tour on August 2 via a riveting reel on Instagram that showed stunning performances by talented dancers.
“Oh man, it’s so exciting. I mean this is us — you know it’s the season of miracles. It’s a joyful season,” expressed the four-time Emmy winner.
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Hayley then revealed, “It’s actually really crazy, we’re going to the exact venue where it all happened, again, almost an entire year later.” The professional dancer was, of course, referring to the traumatic time in her life when she suffered a near-fatal brain bleed during a show.
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“So it’s — we’re gonna be flooded — flooded with emotions, I know,” added Hayley, who used her arms and hands to gesture the anticipated overwhelming feelings. Hugging her husband, she said, “He’s gonna really feel it.”
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Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough dancing together on “DWTS,” posted on October 17, 2024 | Source: Instagram/hayley.erbert
Nevertheless, Hayley is ready to get back out there and continue to share her passion for dance with the world. According to DiLaura, rehearsals for the event, which will be the couple’s first holiday tour, are already well underway.
Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough. | Source: Instagram/hayley.erbert
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Speaking more about the tour, Derek shared, “This is the most choreographically intricate show we’ve ever done. The songs that you know and you love are like, kind of reimagined.” DiLaura then asked Hayley if there are any health concerns she has regarding the tour.
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“I just listen to my body. Being a dancer, I feel like I’m really in tune with my body. I do have a medical team still around me,” disclosed Hayley.
Chiming in as the protective husband, Derek quipped about how he is mainly the cautious and nervous one who voices concerns, which Hayley confirmed.
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However, Derek clarified, “But she puts my mind at ease.” During the interview, it was also revealed that the duo is set to share more revelations about both Hayley’s inspiring comeback and their love story in a documentary that is reportedly in the works and expected to be released in 2025.
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“Jason Bergh, he’s a, you know, award-winning filmmaker. And so, he came in the studio, just kept filming, kept coming with us to hospital visits, he came out on the road with us and really captured the entire journey because it’s really powerful. It’s really beautiful, and I’m just — it’s amazing,” divulged Derek.
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A snippet of that journey was shared on a recent episode of “DWTS,” which a TikTok user posted on their account. After Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough, reminded the public of Hayley’s December 2023 health scare, the clip began to play.
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The video began by showing heartwarming memories that Derek and Hayley shared before their world was turned upside down. Beautiful footage displayed the couple on their wedding day, having fun at the 2023 finale of “DWTS,” and going on the road to perform.
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Things took a dark turn when Hayley failed to join her beloved on stage one night because she was suffering from seizures backstage.
Springing into action, a fearful Derek and others rushed Hayley to the hospital, where he heard the devastating words that his wife would need to undergo a craniectomy immediately to repair a cranial hematoma.
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Adding further insult to injury, Derek said the doctor told him that Hayley might not make it and even if she did, she would not be the same person. The doting husband stayed by his wife’s side, hoping with all his might that she would pull through.
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Derek recalled how unrecognizable Hayley was the next morning, with 40% of her skull missing. When she was strong enough to have the medical tubes that were providing her with assistance removed, Derek said she asked what happened. “‘Weren’t we just dancing?'” pondered Hayley.
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