It’s the announcement that had Dancing with the Stars fans cheering around the globe: Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert are officially expecting their first child. But while the news itself was enough to set the internet ablaze, it was what came next that left hearts melting everywhere.
In a surprise reveal, Derek shared that his closest friend and longtime dance partner, Mark Ballas, will be the baby’s godfather. For fans who have followed their decades-long friendship — from ballroom stages to life’s biggest milestones — it felt like the perfect choice. But the truth behind that decision runs far deeper than anyone realized.
In an emotional sit-down, Derek admitted: “We almost never made it to this moment.” He spoke candidly about the terrifying ordeal Hayley endured last year during a serious medical emergency, one that nearly robbed them of their chance to start a family. Through it all, when the spotlight faded and the world went quiet, only Mark and his wife, BC Jean, stood firmly by their side.
Hayley, her voice trembling with tears, added: “In our darkest days, Mark wasn’t just a friend — he was family. He lifted us up when we had nothing left to give, and he reminded us to believe again.”
Now, as they prepare to welcome their miracle baby, Derek and Hayley’s decision to name Mark as godfather feels like more than a tradition — it’s a testament to loyalty, love, and resilience. Their bond, forged through shared struggles and triumphs, is now etched into the next generation of their family.
A viral photo of Derek, Hayley, and Mark holding hands and smiling has already swept across social media, their joy radiating in every frame. Fans can’t stop commenting on the warmth and authenticity of their friendship — a rare constant in a world where relationships often fade.
But behind the celebration lies a chapter still unwritten. Mark’s own past — filled with private struggles, heartbreaks, and long-buried secrets — may resurface, testing this newfound family bond in unexpected ways. For now, though, the world is simply celebrating a story of hope, healing, and the kind of friendship that becomes family.
One thing is certain: when Derek and Hayley’s child arrives, they’ll grow up knowing that not only are they deeply loved by their parents, but they’ll also have a godfather who has been a protector, a brother, and now, a guiding light
