By Ed Condran
When Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert honeymooned off the coast of the Mediterranean in 2023, it was a shock to the system for the former. Hough is like a shark when it comes to work. The iconic dancer is always in constant motion on or off stage.
“It’s the truth,” Hough said. “My wife and I enjoyed Italy. We swam in the ocean and ate some great food. But it was time to come home and burn off those calories. Toward the end of it, I started to gear up and get ready for this hurricane of work and creativity.”
Hough, 39, is bringing holiday cheer to BleauLive Theater at Fontainebleau Las Vegas on Friday, Dec. 20. The “Dancing With the Stars” champion dancer turned judge will present Derek Hough’s “Dance for the Holidays.” The event is a celebration of holiday fun.
Hough’s latest dance show features Hough and an array of dancers who will deliver holiday tunes through dance. “This is always a lot of work, but I love what I do,” Hough said while calling from Los Angeles. It’s been a rigorous year, but Hough can’t take a break.
The schedule Hough keeps is so demanding that he often eats dinner while in an ice bath after having physiotherapy. “I have so much to accomplish,” Hough said. “But I would rather be busy than sitting idle. The only way to achieve my goals is to work hard. I have no problem with that. I’m a glutton for punishment.
“I did 17 seasons as a pro on the show. I want to help the dancers get better. I look at their level and encourage them to get to another level each week. I hope to point them in the right direction so they can experience their personal best. I’m all about dance whether it’s on my tour or on ‘Dancing With the Stars.’
“Dancing is my life, and I want to share that with people.” Hough, who has accomplished so much during his career, is on his first holiday show tour. Hough was on tour in 2023 for a show titled “Symphony of Dance” that ran through the holidays, but it wasn’t holiday themed.
The Sandy, Utah, native is crossing holiday show off his dancing bucket list. What is left for Hough to accomplish? “I still have so much to do,” Hough said. “I’m excited about what is on the horizon.”
If You Go
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702) 678-7272; FontainebleauLasVegas.com
