How Derek Hough Really Feels About Being a First-Time Dad at 40

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Derek Hough’s road to fatherhood wasn’t exactly a quickstep.

Derek Hough, known from Dancing With the Stars, and his wife Hayley Erbert welcomed their first child, a daughter named Everley Capri Hough, on December 29th. He became a father later in life compared to many of his friends.

He explained that in his hometown of Utah, people typically marry young, often in their teens, and start families right after. He found it remarkable that, at 40 years old, he was only now beginning this part of his life.

The Emmy-winning actor wouldn’t change a thing, explaining that having a family now has given him a fresh outlook on parenthood.

He reflected on a life well-lived, saying he felt amazed by all he’d already experienced and excited to begin a fresh chapter. It felt like a complete restart, a chance to live life again, but with a newfound sense of purpose, satisfaction, and enthusiasm.

Now that Derek has a new baby, his time is extremely valuable. That’s why he’s teamed up with Barilla to create quick ‘Protein+ Training Timers’ – short workouts designed to fit into the time it takes to cook Barilla Protein+ pasta.

I always say that how you move and how you feel are closely connected—your physical movement directly impacts your emotions. It’s crucial to get your body moving, and it doesn’t have to take long. Something like 8-10 minutes – maybe cooking a meal or doing a quick workout – can make a big difference. You’ll feel great, have a healthy meal, and accomplish three positive things: movement, good food, and convenience.

This allows Derek to concentrate on caring for his daughter and helping his wife, who he praised for being a naturally gifted caregiver.

He told TopMob he constantly tells his partner how wonderful she is, saying things like, ‘You’re amazing, you were meant for this, and you’re a great mom.’ He added that he’s even more in love with her and is constantly impressed by everything she does.

As Everley starts to develop her own personality, Derek is hoping she inherits one particular trait from Hayley.

He expressed hope that his daughter would inherit her mother’s calm and relaxed personality. He jokingly admitted he’d likely be very energetic and excited, and suggested how their contrasting reactions might play out later.

Now that Derek and Hayley are enjoying life with their baby, Everley, let’s take a look back at their journey to becoming parents…

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert first met in 2014 while performing together on a tour with Derek and his sister, Julianne. A producer from Dancing With the Stars was impressed with Hayley and invited her to audition for the show’s dance ensemble. She was hired the following year, and she and Derek began dating in 2015, as reported by the Hutchinson News.

They started attending events together, even appearing at the 2016 premiere of the Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru, featuring Tony Robbins.

The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.

The dancers first appeared as a couple on the red carpet at a 2017 celebration hosted by the Television Academy’s Choreography Peer Group at the Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

Hayley accompanied Derek to the Creative Arts Emmys, where he was up for an award for his choreography on Dancing With the Stars.

The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.

Hayley will be helping Derek host the annual Christmas tree lighting at The Americana at Brand mall in Glendale, California.

The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

The couple steps out at HBO’s post-Emmys celebration.

Stars weren’t holding back their excitement at the premiere of Netflix’s El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.

The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar viewing party.

Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.

The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.

Derek was recognized with an Outstanding Choreography Emmy at the Creative Arts Emmys for his work on Dancing with the Stars.

The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.

They look top tier on the red carpet.

Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.

The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.

Hayley had emergency brain surgery after a blood vessel burst, and Derek was with her throughout it all. Over a week later, he shared on Instagram that the experience was terrifying, going from performing on stage to facing a sudden crisis. He described her recovery as miraculous.

Hayley and Derek were able to restart their Symphony of Dance tour in April 2024 after receiving medical approval. Then, in October, Hayley made a heartwarming return to dancing, performing an emotional routine with her husband to Benson Boone’s song, “Beautiful Things.”

The couple shared exciting news: they’re expecting their first child! They announced the pregnancy on Instagram with a video of the baby’s sonogram, and Hayley expressed their joy, saying, “We can’t believe something so small could bring us so much happiness.”

Derek and Hayley announced the birth of their daughter, Everley Capri Hough, on December 29, 2025. In a shared Instagram post, they expressed their joy, saying that their lives had been leading to this moment and that their daughter had filled their hearts with love and changed their world forever.

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2026-02-04 19:49