Derek Hough BREAKS DOWN Over Painful Childhood: “I Was Bullied for Loving Dance” — Says ‘DWTS’ Saved His Life

Derek Hough is sharing how Dancing with the Stars changed his life.

The DWTS judge opened up about his journey on the competition show during a panel discussion at an Emmy consideration event on Sunday, April 6. Derek, now 39, started dancing when he was just 11 years old, and he said the perception of the sport was very different back then.

“For me, having a platform and having a stage like Dancing with the Stars that is elevating dance to new heights over this past, almost, 20 years,” he began. “I honestly was bullied as a kid going to school for being a dancer. I was picked on."

"Now to see football games, basketball games, whatever it is, and they go, ‘Yo, that tango was incredible, man, that was awesome,'" he continued, referring to the special Argentine Tango he and Mark Ballas performed together on the season 33 finale.

“I can't tell you how much it means to me on some deeper level than just a compliment,” he added. “It means a lot more because to see that little boy that grew up when dancing wasn't cool, and to see where it's now — it's looked at as artistic athletes. Dancers are artistic athletes. And that, for me, is just an amazing thing. So, I'm just thankful for this beautiful show that has elevated dance so much.”

Derek and his sister, Julianne Hough, joined DWTS as pros in 2007. While Julianne, who is now a host, left in 2009, Derek stayed through 2016 before taking a break to star in NBC's Hairspray Live! alongside Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Martin Short and Harvey Fierstein. Then, in 2020, he returned as a judge.

“I often say this, but this show is the gift that keeps on giving,” he gushed of the series, which first premiered in 2005. “I mean, the fact that we've been around for so long and still doing what we're doing is a true testament to the heart and soul of what the show is. And also, so much really depends on such an amazing cast.”

Season 33 of DWTS broke records for voting and viewership after two decades on the air, ending with Jenna Johnson and Joey Graziadei taking home the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy. Derek attributed much of that success to the cast’s unique use of social media.

“It's like the show continues — y'all don't have to wait until Tuesday night, you get to watch it all week," he explained, joking: "Honestly, sometimes it's hard because I'm like, I just love the TikToks, [but] let's start with the dancing, let's start with the dancing. Which you do, you fall in love with all of them during the week, and it's so cool to have this extra element to show.”

Julianne noted that fan support is what truly keeps the show going.

“I think it's a rare show where the fans care about everybody,” she said. “They care about the celebrities, they care about the judges, they care about the host. They care. I think that what makes it different. And so, you end up watching the next season because you're caring about the people. It's wild to me still that we have so many people that tune in to watch. Fans want our own journey.”