Derek Hough Makes First Appearance Since Baby Announcement

“Dancing With the Stars” pro Derek Hough made his first public appearance at the International Dance League (IDL) launch event in Los Angeles on Saturday, just days after revealing that he and his wife, fellow dancer Hayley Erbert, are expecting their first child.

Hough Steps Out for IDL Launch

As reported by People, the 40-year-old dancer and actor attended the exclusive event held at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on July 26, where top dance crews from around the world competed.

His attendance comes on the heels of a heartwarming pregnancy announcement that the couple shared on social media earlier in the week.

In a video posted to Instagram on July 22, Hough and Erbert, 30, embraced against a scenic backdrop while Erbert displayed sonogram images to the camera. “We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small ♥️,” they captioned the post.

The couple also shared a black-and-white photo of themselves embracing beside snapshots of their baby’s sonogram. The caption read, “Already so loved ❤️.”

Celebrities and former “Dancing with the Stars” contestants quickly flooded the comments with well-wishes. Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson wrote, “OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH!!! SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU GUYS!!!!” Bindi Irwin, winner of Season 21 of the hit series, commented, “Beyond excited for you both!!”

Hough’s longtime friend and fellow “DWTS” alum Mark Ballas also added, “I JUST RECOVERED!! And now I’m 🥹.”

The outpouring of support from Ballas was especially heartfelt and reciprocal. In December 2024, Ballas revealed that he leaned on Hough during a difficult time after his wife’s miscarriage during “DWTS” season rehearsals.

“At the time, Derek was one of the only people who knew,” Ballas said on a December 2 episode of his podcast, “Trading Secrets”. “We really are like brothers. And we’ve been there for each other through each other’s ups and downs.”

Dance League Event Showcases Global Talent

The IDL launch event brought together some of the world’s most renowned dance crews, including Royal Family (New Zealand), 1MILLION (South Korea), Quick Style (UAE), GRV (USA), Brotherhood (Canada), and Jam Republic (Singapore).

TikTok personality Just Maiko hosted the show, which also featured a performance by rapper BIA and an exclusive merchandise capsule debut from designer Jeff Staple. Hough, a longtime figure in the dance world and current judge on “Dancing with the Stars,” was among the VIP guests in attendance.

Their recent baby announcement was met with joy from fans and family alike, including Hough’s sister Julianne, who celebrated the news on her own platform and shared her excitement about becoming an aunt.

The launch event not only showcased global dance talent but also marked a celebratory moment for Hough as he embarks on the next chapter of fatherhood.