At a Glance
- Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Hough welcomed daughter Everley on Dec. 29, 2025
- The couple met in 2014 on tour and married in August 2023
- Hayley survived a life-threatening brain bleed in December 2023
- Why it matters: Their journey from crisis to parenthood offers hope after trauma
Derek Hough and wife Hayley Erbert Hough have entered a new chapter as first-time parents, welcoming daughter Everley Capri Hough on December 29, 2025. The birth caps a dramatic two-year period that saw the professional dancers marry, face a near-fatal medical emergency, and ultimately embrace parenthood.
The couple shared their baby news in January 2026, nearly a year after Hayley underwent emergency brain surgery that threatened her life.
From Tour Mates to Soul Mates
Their story began in 2014 when Derek and sister Julianne Hough hired Hayley for their tour. The Kansas native quickly caught the attention of Dancing with the Stars producers, landing a spot as a troupe member while Derek served as a pro dancer.
Romance bloomed during season 21, which Derek won with celebrity partner Bindi Irwin. They kept their relationship private for years before going Instagram official in May 2017.
Key milestones:
- Met on tour: 2014
- Went public: May 2017
- Engaged: June 2, 2022
- Married: August 26, 2023
Wedding Bells and Life-Threatening Crisis
The couple exchanged vows in Monterey County, California, in August 2023. Derek later told News Of Los Angeles that marriage brought unexpected depth to their bond.
“It’s so interesting what a small sort of piece of metal can do to your whole persona and your whole outlook on everything,” he said, referring to his wedding ring.
Just four months later, their world shattered. During their Symphony of Dance tour stop in Washington, D.C., Hayley became disoriented backstage. What started as confusion escalated into full seizures.
“She was on the side of the stage having full seizures and, essentially, dying,” Derek recalled. “It’s really hard to even put into words other than just pure fear.”
Doctors diagnosed Hayley with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel, requiring an emergency craniectomy. Later that month, she underwent additional surgery to replace the portion of skull removed during the initial procedure.
Road to Recovery and Redemption
The recovery process tested both partners. Hayley spent months rebuilding her strength, while Derek grappled with nearly losing the woman he loved.
By October 2024, Hayley returned to the ballroom, performing an emotional duet with Derek dedicated to their journey. The performance marked ten months since her hospitalization.
“What a crazy, emotional year it has been, but being able to perform for you all with my beautiful husband last night, was beyond anything I even thought would be possible 10 months ago,” she wrote on Instagram.
Derek’s dedication to his wife extended to his professional life. When he won a Creative Arts Emmy in January 2024 for Outstanding Choreography, he dedicated the award to Hayley.
“Exactly a month ago, I was in the hospital,” he said during his acceptance speech. “Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable. You inspired me every day.”
Growing Their Family
The couple’s experience with mortality influenced their decision to start a family. Meeting fellow Dancing with the Stars pros Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson’s baby boy sparked serious conversations about parenthood.
“There wasn’t a rush on [thinking about kids] until we just met Val and Jenna Chmerkovskiy’s baby, and that was when it was kinda like, ‘Should we get on this now?’ ” Derek told Entertainment Tonight in February 2023.
They announced their pregnancy in July 2025, with Hayley showing obvious joy despite the physical challenges of pregnancy following her brain surgery.
Welcoming Everley
The couple’s daughter arrived just before the new year, bringing light after their storm. Derek described Everley as “a beautiful ray of light” in his first comments to News Of Los Angeles after her birth.
“We’ve had so many moments in life that are not as great. So she’s our rainbow after the storm,” Hayley added.
The new parents shared their daughter’s arrival via Instagram in January 2026, posting a photo of Everley’s tiny feet. Derek captioned the image: “Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed.”
Looking Ahead
As they adjust to life with their newborn, both Derek and Hayley express curiosity about whether Everley will follow in their dancing footsteps.
“We have friends whose kids love dance because their parents are dancers, and we have friends whose kids hate dance because their parents are dancers. So you never know,” Hayley noted.
Their journey from colleagues to spouses to parents, punctuated by a life-threatening crisis, has given them perspective on what truly matters. The couple who once traveled the world performing now finds joy in quiet moments at home with their daughter.
Hayley’s survival and their subsequent parenthood represents more than just personal triumph – it’s testament to resilience and the power of love to overcome even the most dire circumstances.
