The October 15 episode of “Dancing With the Stars” was themed “Dedication Night,” filled with emotional moments, especially when Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert took to the dance floor.
The couple performed a heartfelt routine to “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, marking Erbert’s return to the show after undergoing an emergency craniectomy.
Prior to their performance, Hough shared that just three months after their wedding in August 2023, their lives changed drastically while on their Symphony of Dance tour. He described the moment when a stage manager informed him that Erbert was unable to perform because she was having severe seizures backstage.
Hough recounted the fear he felt during that time, expressing, “It’s really hard to even put into words other than just pure fear.” Erbert was quickly taken to the hospital due to a cranial hematoma.
With a trembling voice, Hough recalled the doctor telling him that Erbert had a severe brain bleed and needed immediate surgery. He added, “He said that she might not make it and that even if she does, she won’t be the same person. They told me, you basically lost the person that you knew… I just remember laying on the hospital floor just begging. I was like, please don’t go.”
The next day, he saw her in a critical state, missing 40% of her skull, but was relieved to find that she remembered their shared love for dance. After their recent performance on “DWTS,” Hough revealed that they had also danced in front of medical staff in Washington, D.C. during her recovery.
Following their routine, Hough described how doctors remarked on the miraculous nature of Erbert’s recovery, with one stating, “Hey Derek, this is a miracle.” Hough reflected on how remarkable Erbert is, praising her determination and spirit, stating, “She inspires me so much. She’s incredible.”