Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough’s wife, Hayley Erbert, suffered a medical emergency in December 2023. During a performance of their Symphony of Dance Tour, Hayley became disoriented. Derek explained that Hayley was “diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy.” During that surgical procedure, a piece of the patient’s skull is removed to relieve pressure on the brain.
Derek’s wife had a second surgical procedure. This operation restored the missing portion of her skull. In February 2024, Derek gave an update on Hayley’s health. “When I married her, I knew she was strong, but I really didn’t realize how strong she really was until now. I’m just, I really am in awe of her every day,” Derek stated. “She really is a miracle and I don’t really throw that word around lightly, but she really is.”
Derek and Hayley also kept their followers up to date with her progress. “To this day, I still have really good days and I have really bad days — emotionally and physically sometimes — but I’m doing so much better every single day,” Hayley shared via an Instagram video. She also thanked everyone for all their positive thoughts and prayers.
Derek shared when he thought Hayley might resume dancing
Derek spoke to E! News about the “strong possibility” of Hayley returning to their tour. “There’s a possibility, there really is,” Derek told hosts Keltie Knight and Jason Sylvester. Derek also shared some of the couple’s romantic history. “And we actually met dancing on stage on tour. Our first kiss was on stage on tour,” he said. “We were touring last year for the first time as a married couple and now this, going back out, there’s a completely different meaning and tension.”
He continued, “I almost need to rename the tour to the Miracle Tour or something because if there’s a moment where she’s with us and joining us on stage,” Derek said, “It’s going to be unbelievably special. I don’t know even know how I’m going to through it. I’m an emotional guy,” the DWTS judge added.
The Reality Tea team continues to send their best wishes to Hayley as she continues her recovery.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT HAYLEY MIGHT BE GOING BACK ON TOUR? ARE YOU GOING TO SEE DEREK’S SHOW, SYMPHONY OF DANCE?
