Hayley Erbert Hough, a beloved dancer and former member of the Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) troupe, is making her emotional return to the ballroom after enduring a life-threatening medical emergency nearly a year ago. In a poignant clip aired ahead of the October 15 “Dedication” episode, her husband and DWTS judge, Derek Hough, opened up about the terrifying moment that changed their lives forever.
A Devastating Turn of Events
Derek recalled the harrowing experience during their joint “Symphony of Dance” tour in December 2023. The couple, who had recently married, were doing what they loved—performing together—when tragedy struck. During a performance, Hayley suffered full seizures while waiting in the wings, leaving her husband and everyone around her in a state of shock and fear.
“It all came to a screeching halt in the most devastating way,” Derek shared in the emotional sneak peek. “She was on the side of the stage having full seizures and, essentially, dying.” Rushed to the hospital, still in her performance costume, doctors discovered that Hayley had a severe cranial hematoma, which required emergency surgery to alleviate a brain bleed.
A Fight for Survival
The situation was dire. Derek revealed that the doctors warned him that Hayley “might not make it” through surgery, and even if she did, she might not be the same person. The emergency craniectomy, however, was successful, and Hayley began her long journey to recovery.
In an Instagram post following the traumatic event, Derek updated fans: “She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy. She is in stable condition.” The outpouring of support from their followers and the DWTS community was immense, as Hayley began to heal from the life-threatening ordeal.
Healing and Staying Present
As Hayley recovered, Derek opened up about how difficult it was to watch a loved one go through such trauma. In interviews, he spoke about the importance of staying in the moment, a lesson he credited to his wife.
“Honestly, she was just in the moment, you know, she wasn’t focusing on, like, what’s gonna happen, what’s the future,” Derek said. Hayley’s grace and resilience inspired him to adopt the same mindset during the challenging recovery period.
A New Chapter
Despite the challenges of the past year, the couple has found moments of joy. They celebrated their first wedding anniversary in August 2024, with a heartfelt Instagram post from Derek to his wife. “This past year has been a journey filled with so many challenges, blessings, difficulties, and triumphs,” he wrote. “But above all, this year has been a testament to the power of love—our love. Love truly conquers all.”
Looking ahead, the couple is excited about the future. Derek shared with E! News that starting a family is on the horizon for the pair, describing Hayley as “a miracle.” “Little dancing children running around,” he said with excitement, hinting at the next chapter in their lives.
A Triumphant Return to the Dance Floor
Now, nearly a year after her emergency surgery, Hayley Erbert Hough is back on the dance floor, ready to perform again for a special dedication-themed episode of DWTS. Her return is nothing short of a victory—a testament to her strength, resilience, and love of dance.
As Hayley prepares for her emotional performance, she not only inspires her husband but also the countless fans and fellow dancers who have been cheering her on throughout her recovery.
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