Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert have returned to the very stage where their lives changed forever. On December 5, the two performed during the “Dance for the Holidays” Tour on what was certainly an emotional night.
“It’s been exactly one year since Hayley almost lost her life. We returned to the very same stage, the same room where we once felt so much fear and uncertainty. A place where I stood frozen, terrified, praying for a miracle,” Hough captioned an Instagram post on December 6.
In December 2023, Erbert fell ill during a performance in Washington, D.C. She was rushed to MedStar Washington Hospital where doctors found an intercranial hematoma. She underwent emergency surgery and Hough was told that his wife’s prognosis wasn’t good. However, Erbert’s recovery went better than expected and she’s almost back to 100%.
“Tonight, we changed the story of that room. We transformed it, from fear to beauty, from uncertainty to faith, and from despair to triumph. And having Dr. Mai, the man who saved her life, standing on that stage with us made it all the more powerful. We got to share a moment on stage thanking him for the gift of more time, more memories, and more love,” Hough wrote on Instagram.
Erbert had nearly 40% of her skull removed during the surgery. She later had another surgery to put her skull back in place.
Derek Hough’s DWTS Family Reacted to His Post
Hough shared a video from a moment in the show when he called Erbert’s surgeon, Dr. Mai, up on stage.
“This was the man that was there at 3 in the morning that saved Hayley’s life and I could not be more thankful for this man right here,” Hough told the audience.
Fans weren’t the only ones who felt emotional after reading Hough’s Instagram post. Many ballroom pros past and present commented on the upload, sending their love to him and Erbert.
“I’m sobbing all the way in Australia. The love you have for each other is so special,” wrote former pro Kym Johnson Herjavec.
“Crying. This is incredible,” added Emma Slater.
“Bawling,” said Daniella Karagach.
“Sooooo special,” read Jenna Johnson’s comment.
Derek Hough Recalled the Moments That Occurred Before Emergency Crews Arrived at the Theater
Hough and Erbert were toward the end of their show during a stop on the Symphony of Dance Tour when Erbert found herself unable to continue on.
On season 33 of “Dancing With the Stars,” Hough shared some of the chilling details for the first time ever.
“I was on stage and she’s supposed to come out. The stage manager walked out and just said, ‘Hey, she’s not coming on stage,'” Hough said in a package that was put together for Erbert’s official return to the DWTS ballroom.
“She was on the side of the stage having full seizures. And essentially dying,” he explained, adding, “It’s really hard to even put into words other than just pure fear.”
Hough and Erbert performed a contemporary number to the song “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone that left the ballroom in tears.
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Derek Hough & Hayley Erbert Share Emotional News With Fans