Derek Hough joined “Dancing with the Stars” as a professional dancer in 2007. He is one of the most loved pros, and fans have closely followed his journey. This year is an exciting year for Hough, as he celebrated his wife, Hayley Erbert’s pregnancy, and the debut of his and sister Julianne Hough’s Ovation dance convention and tour.
All this to say, his life seems great. But it wasn’t always this way, and Hough reflected on the struggles he faced in his childhood in a vulnerable post on Instagram.
Derek Hough Shares Empowering Message
On August 10, Hough made an emotional post, reflecting on what he would tell his younger self and how dance has impacted his life. “You know, people often ask me what I would tell my younger self. And honestly, it’s a question that makes me pause and feel pretty deeply,” he wrote. “When I was that kid, getting bullied, being scared, feeling out of place just because I loved to dance, I was just a frightened little boy who felt so small sometimes.”
He continued, “I’d tell him something I’ve learned the long way around: that the power other people seem to have over you is really just a disguise for their own weakness. That all those moments you feel like you’re not enough, all those times you feel unworthy or afraid, those moments are actually shaping you into the person you’re meant to become. They’re building your strength, your resilience, and they’re leading you to a future where you stand on stage doing what you love for thousands, even millions of people.”
He ended his message with a beautiful and powerful statement, reminding himself that he is enough. “So to that little boy, and to anyone out there who needs to hear it: you are enough. And one day, the very thing that made you feel different will be your superpower,” Hough wrote. “Keep going. Everything is going to be okay. I’m proud of you, and I love you.”
Derek Hough’s Words Inspire Fans
The post has resonated with so many people and is inspiring future generations of dancers.
“Thank you for sharing your story. I just read it to my son,” a fan wrote. “He is a dancer and has faced challenges with kids at school who aren’t accepting of male dancers, as well as comments from some female dancers who say the only reason he earns awards is because he’s a male.”
“Derek, thank you for sharing this! You are the real deal, sir! Someone young people can look up to & learn from,” another fan shared.
A third fan also commented with love. “I love this and the dance was beautifully done. You set a wonderful example for all those watching you!” they wrote.
Derek’s sister, Julianne Hough, showed her support with a short message. “I’m not ok,” she wrote with a teary eye emoji and a red heart emoji. Blake McGrath also reacted to the post, writing, “This is so beautiful Derek. Grateful to call you a friend.”
Derek Hough Confesses to DWTS Changing His Life
Hough has previously opened up about childhood bullying. In a panel discussion for the Emmys on April 6, he spoke about the important role DWTS has played in his life. “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 said, People reports. “I honestly was bullied as a kid going to school for being a dancer. I was picked on.”
He commented on the change in attitude toward dance now. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me on some deeper level than just a compliment,” he said. “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.”
