Derek Hough reflects on his “surreal” Emmy win.
The Dancing with the stars said the 38-year-old judge Show Jennifer Hudson on Monday about his “crazy” experience accepting the Creative Arts Emmy in January amid his wife Hayley Erbert’s recovery from brain surgery.
“It was also a bit crazy because it was such a difficult time in December, to be on stage for exactly one month then accepting such a prestigious award in choreography, it was crazy,” Hough said on the show.
“It was a really wild, surreal experience to be in a hospital room for a month and then in front of thousands of people to accept something like that. There were a lot of ups and downs like I said before. It was wild.”
Derek Hough’s Wife Hayley Erbert Congratulates Him on Emmy Win After ‘Unfathomable Moon’
Hough won a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for a Variety or Reality Program for Dancing with the stars last month. While accepting his award, he gave an emotional speech in honor of his wife, 29, following a craniectomy she had had weeks earlier in December.
Exactly one month ago I was in the hospital. This was a different moment, Hough said at the time through tears. “A month ago there was a moment that changed my life and reminded me that I should really appreciate and enjoy every moment.”
He continued: “I want to dedicate this to my beautiful wife. I just flew in from Washington, DC last night. Your strength and courage this whole month has been amazing. You have inspired me every day.”
Derek Hough shared an update on his wife’s recovery during an appearance on ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’.
Chris Millard/Warner Bros.
A timeline of Hayley Erbert’s health scare and her ongoing recovery
During a conversation with host Jennifer Hudson on Monday, Hough also updated on the progress of Erbert’s recovery from her surgeries. “She’s doing amazing. She is an absolute miracle, wonderful,” he said.
“It’s been a rollercoaster, it’s been wild, but I just have to say thank you again to everyone who has been so supportive and loving,” Hough added. “It really means a lot to all of us, my wife and I, so thank you.”
On December 7, 2023, Erbert underwent an “emergency craniectomy” after suffering a cranial hematoma, which is a collection of blood cells inside the skull, while the couple was on the Symphony of Dance tour in Washington, DC
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(773x199:775x201)/derek-hough-jennifer-hudson-show-022624-2-d05fdad6499643f18ef31de7ff8f47ab.jpg)
Hough called winning an Emmy amid his wife’s recovery “surreal.”
Chris Millard/Warner Bros.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Erbert had a second surgery on Dec. 20 to “replace a large portion of her skull” that was removed during a craniectomy. The surgeries were performed just months after Hough and Erbert were married in August 2023.
In a joint Instagram video posted earlier this month, Erbert was seen to be recovering well as she surprised her husband with a “little day adventure” for Valentine’s Day. The video showed the pair going out for breakfast, followed by a walk in the park and shopping, before ending the day with dinner.
Erbert explained in the video that she wanted a day focused on “intention,” being grateful” and “spending time with my husband,” amid her ongoing recovery from surgeries.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education