Derek Hough is about to dance into fatherhood.
The Dancing With the Stars judge’s wife Hayley Erbert is pregnant with the couple’s first baby, they announced on social media July 22.
In a slow-motion video jointly posted on Instagram, Derek, 38, approached Hayley, 30, and embraced her in a passionate kiss before she revealed the baby’s sonogram.
“We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us,” Hayley wrote alongside the clip, “could be so small.”
And the couple’s Dancing With the Stars family was ready to to celebrate, with dance pro Britt Stewart, gushing in the comments, “Truly no words can match this blessing!!!! Auntie Britt is ready! Love you both so much.”
Rylee Arnold, meanwhile, added, “I’m crying!!!!! This is the best news ever!!!! Congrats you two I couldn’t be happier.”
Earlier this year, Derek’s sister Julianne Hough hinted that she was gearing up to become an aunt as she shared what a new addition to their family would mean to her.
“Oh my goodness, what a dream come true,” she told E! News at the Christian Siriano Fall 2025 runway show during New York Fashion Week in February. “That child will be the most spoiled, but loved human being on the planet and juju coming in hot.”
The exciting news follows a turbulent time for Derek and Hayley, who wed in August 2023 after eight years of dating. Just months after the pair exchanged vows, the So You Think You Can Dance alum was hospitalized after she became “disoriented” during a performance in Washington, D.C., on their joint Symphony of Dance tour.
“She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy,” Derek wrote on Instagram in December 2023. “I ask for your prayers and positivity during this time.”
Fortunately, Hayley was given medical clearance to resume performing in April 2024, but the ordeal had a lasting impact on her and Derek’s relationship.
“After three months of getting married, it was like, ‘Oh, we’re putting those vows to the test real fast,’” he told E! News at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s 2025 Oscars viewing party in March. “But it’s been wonderful. It’s beautiful. We’ve had an extraordinary year of triumph, of challenge and we’re here having a good time.”
In fact, the two are more grateful than ever to continue performing together.
“We’re actually really fortunate,” Derek continued. “We were just being grateful every day. There’s so much to be grateful for.”
For more on Derek and Hayley’s road to parenthood, keep reading.
October 2015: Hayley Joins Dancing With the Stars
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert meet back in 2014 when she performed on his and sister Julianne Hough‘s tour. A Dancing With the Stars producer is impressed with Hayley and she is called to interview to join the show’s troupe, getting the job the following year, according to the Hutchington News. Also in 2015, she and Derek begin dating.
July 2016: Derek & Hayley Step Out
The two begin going out to public events, including at the 2016 premiere of the Tony Robbins Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.
September 2016: Creative Arts Emmys Governors Ball
The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.
August 2017: Red Carpet Debut
The dancers make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Television Academy’s 2017 Choreography Peer Group Celebration at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif.
September 2017: Emmys Date
Hayley joins Derek as his date for the Creative Arts Emmys, where he was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on Dancing With the Stars.
October 2017: Happy Halloween
The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.
November 2017: Christmas Tree Lighting
Hayley joins Derek as he hosts The Americana at Brand shopping mall’s Christmas tree lighting event in Glendale, Calif.
May 2018: May the Force Be With You
The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
September 2018: Emmys After-Party Date
The couple steps out at HBO’s post-Emmys celebration.
October 2019: They Are the Ones Who Hug
They aren’t pumping the brakes as they attend the premiere of Netflix’s El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
February 2020: Oscars Party Date
The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar viewing party.
November 2020: Disney Holiday Singalong
Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.
August 2021: Respect Premiere
The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.
August 2021: Emmy Winner
The partners appear at the Creative Arts Emmys, where Derek wins Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on Dancing with the Stars.
March 2022: Oscars Party Dance
The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.
May 2022: Top Gun: Maverick Premiere
They look top tier on the red carpet.
June 2022: Engaged
Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
June 2023: Elemental Premiere
The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.
August 2023: Just Married and Honeymoon
The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.
December 2023: In Sickness and in Health
Derek was by Hayley’s side as she underwent emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel. “It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant,” he wrote on Instagram over a week later. “Her recovery process has been nothing short of a miracle.”
October 2024: Road to Recovery
After being given medical clearance to get back to performing, Hayley and Derek resumed their Symphony of Dance tour in April 2024. In October, she made her triumphant return to the ballroom as she joined her husband for an emotional routine set to Benson Boone‘s “Beautiful Things.”
July 2025: Baby on the Way
The couple announced they’d be welcoming a new addition to their family as they revealed they were expecting their first baby together. Alongside an Instagram video unveiling their unborn child’s sonogram, Hayley wrote, “We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small.”
