After years of dazzling fans with breathtaking routines and touring the world, Derek Hough is opening up about a dream that goes beyond the stage lights: starting a family. The Dancing With the Stars icon recently shared heartfelt thoughts about life with his wife, Hayley Erbert, and hinted that parenthood is something the couple sees on the horizon. No big announcement, no ticking clock—just a quiet acknowledgment of the next step in their love story.
The reveal came in an unexpected way. While wishing fellow dancer Val Chmerkovskiy a happy birthday on Instagram, Hough shared a throwback photo with his longtime friend. In his caption, he not only praised Val for pushing him as a performer and competitor but also thanked him for being “an example of a great father for when that day comes.” A simple line, yet one that spoke volumes to fans who have been following Derek and Hayley’s journey.
This isn’t the first time the couple has hinted at baby fever. Back in early 2023, Hough admitted that meeting Val and Jenna Chmerkovskiy’s baby, Rome, shifted his perspective on parenthood. “There wasn’t a rush until we just met Val and Jenna’s baby, and that was when it was kinda like, ‘Should we get on this now?’” he confessed in an interview. Seeing his close friends embrace family life, he admitted, made the dream feel more real—and maybe closer than expected.
Hough has also shared how fatherhood feels like a natural extension of his creative spirit. Recalling a conversation with Val, he revealed: “For somebody who was created to create, this will be your ultimate creation.” It was a sentiment that seemed to stay with him, reinforcing the idea that parenting could be his greatest role yet.
By late 2024, Derek was speaking even more openly about the possibility of children. In an interview with E! News, he acknowledged that babies were very much in the couple’s future. “We definitely want to have a family eventually. We’ll see what’s in the cards, what’s on the horizon. Little dancing children running around,” he said with a smile. Fans couldn’t help but picture the next generation of Houghs twirling their way through the living room.
For now, however, Derek and Hayley are still balancing demanding careers. They’ve spent the past year touring across the U.S., sharing the stage in their electrifying shows. Derek also continues his steady role as a judge on Dancing With the Stars, while Hayley herself is rumored to be in talks about returning to the show as a pro. It’s clear that the couple has been savoring their career highs while enjoying their early years of marriage.
But if Derek’s recent comments are any indication, family life may not be far behind. For a pair who have already mastered the art of partnership on and off stage, parenthood seems like the natural next act. Whether it comes soon or later, one thing feels certain: the Hough household is bound to be filled with music, movement, and a whole lot of love.
