Derek Hough Praises 15-Year-Old Dancer in Viral Video: ‘She Showed Up and Danced Fearlessly’

Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough is no stranger to jaw-dropping performances, but even he was moved by a young dancer’s courage and talent during a recent dance class in Las Vegas.

On Monday, June 16, Hough shared a behind-the-scenes video from an Ovation Dance workshop. In the clip, a 15-year-old dancer confidently faces off with Hough, matching his movements step for step during a freestyle session.

The Inspiring Moment

In the reel, the Emmy-winning choreographer is seen facing off in a dance routine with a 15-year-old student named Victoria (@victoriadance18), who had stayed after the class ended. Despite the challenge and the fact that the choreography wasn’t in her strongest style, she rose to the occasion—and impressed Hough in the process.

“Had the joy of teaching a class in Vegas the other day, and at the very end, one young dancer stayed behind,” Hough wrote in the caption. “I asked her to dance the combo one more time, but to face me. Without hesitation, she did. Only 15 years old, not being her strongest style or discipline of dance and yet she showed up and danced fearlessly. Well done @victoriadance18.”

The video, shot at The Rock Center for Dance and tagged @ovationdance, quickly generated buzz among Hough’s 3 million followers. One viewer commented, “‘Not’ being her strongest style is wilddddd. She’s amazing—now I wanna see what her strongest style is 🤩.”

Back in May, Hough revealed he would be launching a new dance symposium in collaboration with Ovation Dance. The workshop, co-directed by Hough and his sister Julianne Hough, brings together top talent from across the dance world.

The faculty lineup includes several familiar faces from “Dancing With the Stars,” such as Mark Ballas, Val Chmerkovskiy, and Jenna Johnson, alongside acclaimed choreographers and performers Talia Favia, Dom Kelley, Will Loftis, Comfort Fedoke, Robbie Blue, and Nika Kljun.

Hough’s Viral Humor

In addition to inspiring moments like this, Hough also knows how to have fun. On the same day, he shared another Instagram reel—this one a comedic nod to his longtime friend and fellow “Dancing With the Stars” alum, Mark Ballas.

Set to Olivia Rodrigo’s hit song “Traitor,” the clip shows Hough sliding dramatically across a wooden floor toward Ballas, who jokingly blocks him with his knee. The caption reads: “Slidin in to say good luck to my guy @markballas on the @thetraitors.us! I suggested on the round table he just covers his face with his hair and hides. A fortress of hair. Good advice?”

As confirmed by Peacock, Ballas will be joining Season 4 of “The Traitors US,” and Hough’s post quickly drew laughs and excitement from fans of the duo’s “DWTS” legacy.