It was a moment that brought together the past, present, and heart of Dancing with the Stars. On his Symphony of Dance tour, Derek Hough unveiled a moving tribute to the late Len Goodman, longtime head judge of the beloved competition series. The performance — a simple, elegant waltz set to Moon River — left audiences in tears and dancers on stage deeply connected to the man they were honoring.
Derek revealed that the tribute was the very first piece he created for his tour. “Since I started the creation process, I knew I wanted to honor Len,” he shared. “I remember him telling me how much he loved Moon River. I chose an instrumental version to allow space for our individual memories to unfold. The song instantly suggested a clean and classic waltz — something I knew Len would’ve loved.”
The routine began as an idea Derek developed with Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson, who helped shape the choreography into something timeless and understated. Derek performed alongside his wife, Hayley Erbert Hough, while a full ensemble of DWTS legends joined in — including Julianne Hough, Mark Ballas, Karina Smirnoff, Maks Chmerkovskiy, Edyta Śliwińska, Tony Dovolani, Kym Herjavec, Louis Van Amstel, and Anna Trebunskaya — along with members of the current pro cast.
Derek said the collaboration elevated the piece into something greater than himself. “Getting to collectively honor Len with Val and Jenna’s thoughtful, elegant choreography elevated this unforgettable moment to new heights,” he explained. “Sharing the stage with past pros amplified the nostalgia and history of Len’s impact on all of us.”
For Derek, the tribute carried a personal weight. He first met Len as a 12-year-old in the UK while training with Mark Ballas’s mother, Shirley. Len was judging Derek in competition then, a connection that grew into a lifelong mentorship and friendship. It was only fitting that Derek, now a leader within the dance world, would honor him in such a heartfelt way.
Val and Jenna echoed the sentiment in their own post, calling the piece “our love letter to Len Goodman.” They thanked Derek for bringing the vision and music to the tribute, writing, “We know how personal this was to you, and we’ve been in disbelief at the beautiful messages we’ve received on behalf of this dance.”
The waltz captured everything Len stood for — simplicity, elegance, and tradition. It wasn’t about showmanship or flash; it was about connection, storytelling, and honoring the roots of ballroom. For the pros who grew under his guidance, it was a chance to give back to the man who set the standard for excellence.
As Derek summed it up in his tribute: “I love this show. I love these people. And we will always love you, Len.” For one night on tour, the ballroom legend’s spirit was alive again, carried in every step, every turn, and every note of Moon River.
