‘DWTS’ Star Derek Hough’s Wife Steps into the Studio Again Months after Critical Brain Surgery

Months after Derek Hough announced the harrowing news that his wife, Hayley Erbert, had undergone emergency brain surgery, the 'Dancing with the Stars' luminary has shared an uplifting update, bringing joy and hope to their myriad fans. The update comes after months of health struggles for Erbert.

In a poignant black and white photograph posted on Instagram, the Derek Hough and Hayley Ebert are captured from behind, their arms wrapped around each other in a comforting embrace, with Erbert resting her head on her husband's shoulder. Hough's accompanying caption, "Stepping onto this blank canvas together. Beginning to paint again ❤️," eloquently encapsulates the couple's resilient spirit and their journey back to normalcy.

This touching update has drawn a tidal wave of support and affection from fans, who have been vigilantly following the couple's journey since Hough first divulged Erbert's hospitalization. The comments section of Hough's post overflowed with messages of love, hope, and encouragement, highlighting the deep connection the couple shares with their audience.

One fan wrote, "Be careful and rest that body of yours. I know you love to dance but please take care of yourself." Another added, "You and @hayley.erbert have been through the scariest part. The rest is just time, patience, and consistent effort—and remembering to enjoy every moment of this beautiful adventure called life. ❤❤"

The sentiments continued with comments like "A fantastic new chapter lies ahead 💕☺️👩🏼‍🤝‍👨🏻" and "Paint what you can but you are already both a masterpiece," encapsulating the community's unwavering support for the couple's recovery and future endeavors.

Erbert's health struggles came to the forefront when Hough was awarded an Emmy in January, a moment he dedicated to his courageous wife. In his acceptance speech, Hough expressed profound gratitude and admiration for Erbert's strength and resilience throughout her health ordeal.

Hough shared on Instagram, "Wow! I am incredibly humbled and grateful for this award. Thank you to the @televisionacad for this recognition... Exactly one month ago, to the day, my world was shaken... To my wife, @hayley.erbert this one’s for you. The centerpiece and muse of this dance. This journey, these moments, they are all the more precious because of what we’ve endured together." This heartfelt acknowledgment not only highlighted Erbert's struggle but also underscored the profound impact of their shared experience on Hough's creative work.

In a gesture of mutual support and admiration, Erbert took to Instagram shortly after Hough's win to congratulate him, sharing a carousel of photos that captured their shared joy and resilience. She wrote, "Congratulations to the love of my life for his 4th Emmy win! (Swipe to see him looking so handsome with his new, beautiful hardware 😍) What a way to be welcomed home after such an unfathomable month. @derekhough, you continue to amaze me with your drive, brilliance, and commitment to excellence."

Erbert went on to mention how much she had enjoyed being able to witness and take part in her husband's journey thus far, saying she couldn't wait to see what his future held. She gushed about how much she loved him and also said that she was "unbelievably proud" of him.

In an update shared on February 5, Hough reflected on Erbert's recovery, saying, "She really is a miracle and it’s been miraculous and it’s still a journey." This sentiment was echoed in Hough's appearance on "Good Morning America," where he spoke about the ordeal as "unfathomable" and emphasized the feelings of uncertainty, fear, and, ultimately, "absolute gratitude" that characterized their experience. This public sharing of their challenges and triumphs has not only drawn the couple closer but has also resonated deeply with fans and supporters, reinforcing the power of love, resilience, and community support in the face of adversity.

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert's story is one of unwavering support, love, and resilience. Leaning on each other for strength and buoyed by the overwhelming support from fans, friends, and the medical community, the couple is poised to resume their passion for dance against all odds.

As previously reported on February 6, 2024:

In a moving Instagram video, "Dancing With the Stars" standout Derek Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert, shared a deeply personal update with their followers. Erbert, now sporting a buzz cut, courageously opened up about her recent medical journey, detailing her experiences with an emergency craniectomy followed by a cranioplasty.

Through the video, she conveyed her emotional and physical challenges, emphasizing the strength and resilience required throughout her recovery process. Hough, ever supportive, was by Erbert's side, offering encouragement and admiration for her bravery.

The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with fans flooding the comments section with messages of support, prayers, and affirmations of Erbert's beauty and strength. Phrases like "[praying] for you," "gorgeous," "you would be beautiful bald," and "so chic" underscored the collective support and admiration from their audience.

Further extending the circle of support, Julianne Hough, Derek Hough's sister, shared the video on her Instagram story, lovingly referring to Erbert as "our miracle babe."

The couple was recently spotted in Los Angeles in a show of resilience and continuing recovery. Erbert, with a navy cap, walked alongside Hough and looked content.

As previously reported on December 22, 2023:

"DWTS" judge Derek Hough was pictured keeping watch at his wife's hospital bedside following her skull surgery. When fans saw the picture of him watching over his wife, some said it made them "cry," continued to extend their prayers, asked Derek to take care of himself, and called him "such a great husband." The doting husband gave an update after his wife's difficult operation.

Famous dancer and choreographer Derek Hough was seen keeping vigil at his beloved wife's hospital bedside after her surgery. Hough took to Instagram yesterday to share a picture of himself keeping a watchful eye over his spouse, Hayley Erbert, who underwent a skull operation.

In his caption, Hough shared a health update on how Erbert has been doing since having the surgery. With a heart full of joy and immense gratitude, the 38-year-old divulged that his wife's cranioplasty operation was successful and went as planned.

According to the "DWTS" judge, Erbert's surgery marks a crucial milestone in her journey toward recovery and has heightened their optimistic view of the future of her health. Hough also expressed his unwavering gratitude to the medical professionals responsible for Erbert's surgery and health care and thanked fans for their overwhelming love, support, and prayers.

Those same fans were pleased to hear about Erbert's positive prognosis and showered the choreographer more support and love. Many also praised the star for sticking by his wife's side and called him "such a great husband."

Others who saw the post mentioned how the touching picture made them "cry." Another fan, who was looking out for Hough's wellbeing, said, "...Derek please take [care] of yourself too ❤️"

The reason behind the outpouring of love, prayers, and support concerns the fact that earlier this month, Erbert was taken to a hospital after becoming disoriented during the end of a performance in Washington, D.C. Once at the hospital, doctors diagnosed Hough's wife with a cranial hematoma due to the bursting of a blood vessel in her brain which then required an emergency craniectomy.

Thankfully, Erbert has been on the mend since her initial skull surgery and recently appeared in her beloved sister-in-law's family post shared on her Instagram. Upon seeing Erbert and Julianne (Hough's famous sister) embracing each other in one of the photos, fans were thrilled to see Erbert seemingly doing well since her surgery.

One person expressed, "She is so loved by so many." Another stated, "Omg, I started crying when I saw the Hayley photo. I've been praying every day." Someone else highlighted how much they "love" the family.

Since Hough's health update on how his wife is doing since her surgery, the outpouring of well wishes has been abundant in the same way it was when news of her cranial hematoma was first announced.