One year after Erbert’s life-threatening medical emergency had them spending the season in the hospital, the married “Dancing with the Stars” fan favorites posed for a happy holiday pic.
In a photo posted to Instagram, Hough and Erbert wore matching green sweaters while tangled up in strings of bubble Christmas lights. Oversized ornaments and a pile of gifts were at their feet. A second slide showed the two hamming it up after getting themselves untangled.
“Happy Holidays from the Houghs! ,” Hough captioned the post on December 10. “Life can get a little tangled, just ask our Christmas lights, but with patience (and maybe a little dancing), it all works out in the end. Wishing you love, laughter, and untangled joy this holiday season!”
Fans Reacted to Derek & Hayley’s Sweet Photos
Hough and Erbert have had an unexpected journey over the past year. In December 2023, while on Hough’s Symphony of Dance tour, Erbert was rushed to the hospital after collapsing backstage during a performance in Washington D.C. The ballroom pro underwent an emergency craniectomy and had an extended stay in the hospital.
One year later, fans were thrilled to see a much happier time for the couple. Commenters reacted to the new holiday photo on social media.
“What a different Christmas season for you this year than last year! 😍,” one fan wrote.
Others called the couple “adorable” and “the cutest” and thanked them for sharing their talent.
“Thank you @DerekHough and @Hayley.Erbert Hough! I wish you a long journey of your forever love with good health, fun adventures and more dancing (really a gift for us). Thank you for all the joy you put into this world,” one fan wrote.
“HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU BOTH. I’m glad you’re having a much stress-free season than last year. Thankful for you guys and all of your talent!❤️,” another wrote.
Derek & Hayley Are on the Road Once Again
Hough and Erbert are dancing together through the holiday season on Hough’s Dance for the Holidays tour with dates in Texas, Utah, California, Arizona, and more.
Hough previously told “Live With Kelly & Mark” it would be his first time doing his own Christmas show.
“It’s great,” he told host Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. “I mean, the music, the costumes just the feeling…and this this year has been kind of a year of miracles for us and so to sort of like bring that into the show it’s going to be a great show for the whole family.”
On December 5, the couple returned to the same stage in Washington where Erbert fell ill. “It’s been exactly one year since Hayley almost lost her life. We returned to the very same stage, the same room where we once felt so much fear and uncertainty,” Hough captioned an Instagram post following the Dance for the Holidays performance. “Tonight, we changed the story of that room. We transformed it, from fear to beauty, from uncertainty to faith, and from despair to triumph.”
“This year has taught us so much about grace, how the more we acknowledge it, the more we experience it,” the DWTS judge added. “Beauty is all around us if we open our eyes to it, and faith can guide us even in the darkest moments.
