Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Derek Hough
How Derek Hough built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Derek Hough is an accomplished American dancer, choreographer, actor, singer, and television personality. He is best known for his record-breaking six wins as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars from 2007 to 2016. His exceptional choreography earned him 14 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with four wins. Later, Hough transitioned from competitor to judge on Dancing with the Stars, starting with season 29.
July 14, 2007: Panelist on BBC One's DanceX
On July 14, 2007, Derek Hough was one of Bruno Tonioli's panelists on BBC One's DanceX.
April 29, 2008: Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars
On April 29, 2008, Derek Hough and his partner Shannon Elizabeth were eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, finishing the competition in sixth place.
November 25, 2008: Won Dancing with the Stars
On November 25, 2008, Derek Hough and his partner Brooke Burke won season seven of Dancing with the Stars, earning the mirror ball trophy.
March 2009: Release of Ballas Hough Band's Debut CD
In March 2009, Derek Hough, as a founding member of the Ballas Hough Band (formerly Almost Amy), shared lead vocals, played guitar and had several songwriting credits on the band's self-titled debut CD that was released by Hollywood Records.
May 5, 2009: Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars
On May 5, 2009, Derek Hough and his partner Lil' Kim were eliminated from the show Dancing with the Stars, finishing in fifth place.
November 17, 2009: Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars Semi-Finals
On November 17, 2009, Derek Hough and his partner Joanna Krupa were eliminated during week nine, the semi-finals, of Dancing with the Stars, finishing fourth.
May 25, 2010: Second Win on Dancing with the Stars
On May 25, 2010, Derek Hough and his partner Nicole Scherzinger won the competition on Dancing with the Stars. That was the second win for Hough.
November 23, 2010: Third win on Dancing with the Stars
On November 23, 2010, Derek Hough won Dancing with the Stars for the third time with actress Jennifer Grey.
April 25, 2011: Guest appearance on Better with You
On April 25, 2011, Derek Hough made a guest appearance on the ABC show Better with You as a dance instructor.
July 27, 2012: Announcement of Last Season on Dancing with the Stars
On July 27, 2012, Derek Hough announced that season 15 would be his last on Dancing with the Stars.
February 22, 2013: Return to Dancing with the Stars Announced
On February 22, 2013, Derek Hough announced his return for season 16 of Dancing with the Stars.
May 21, 2013: Fourth Mirror Ball Trophy Win
On May 21, 2013, Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler were crowned season 16 champions on Dancing With the Stars, marking Derek's fourth time winning the Mirror Ball trophy, making him the only pro to have won four Mirror Balls.
August 2, 2013: Hough confirmed that he would be back for season 17 via an interview with Access Hollywood
On August 2, 2013, Hough confirmed that he would be back for season 17 via an interview with Access Hollywood.
September 4, 2013: Cast Announced for Season 17 of Dancing With the Stars
On September 4, 2013, the cast for season 17 of Dancing with the Stars was announced. Derek Hough's partner for the season was Glee star Amber Riley.
September 22, 2013: Nomination for Outstanding Choreography for the Emmy Awards
On September 22, 2013, Derek Hough was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for the Emmy Awards. All of the nominees in the category were to create and perform a number with the host of the show, Neil Patrick Harris, on the Primetime Live Show. Hough went on to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.
March 18, 2014: Announcement of "Move Live on Tour"
On March 18, 2014, Derek Hough and his sister Julianne announced a summer tour of over 40 cities across the U.S. and Canada, called "Move Live on Tour", which would include dancing and singing and the appearance of a group of dancers employed by the Houghs who were chosen through auditions.
March 31, 2014: Premiere of Make Your Move
On March 31, 2014, Derek Hough's first movie, Make Your Move (original title Cobu 3D), premiered in Los Angeles. He had taken a season break from Dancing with the Stars in 2011 to star in the film.
May 14, 2014: Directed "Get My Name" Music Video
On May 14, 2014, Derek Hough directed Mark Ballas' music video for his song "Get My Name" that was released on MTV.
May 20, 2014: Runner-Up on Dancing with the Stars
On May 20, 2014, Derek Hough and his partner Amy Purdy were the runner-up couple for season 18 of Dancing with the Stars, behind Meryl Davis and her partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
May 25, 2014: "Move Live on Tour" Begins
On May 25, 2014, Derek and Julianne Hough embarked on their sold-out "Move Live on Tour" in Park City, Kansas.
July 26, 2014: "Move Live on Tour" Concludes
On July 26, 2014, Derek and Julianne Hough concluded their "Move Live on Tour" in Los Angeles. The tour was a success, with several shows selling out, leading to the addition of more shows to the schedule.
August 5, 2014: Release of "Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion"
On August 5, 2014, Derek Hough's first book Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion was released.
August 13, 2014: Return to Dancing with the Stars Confirmed
On August 13, 2014, ABC announced that Derek Hough would be back for season 19 of Dancing with the Stars. He was paired with YouTube personality Bethany Mota.
August 14, 2014: Joined the cast of Nashville
On August 14, 2014, Derek Hough joined the cast of the ABC series Nashville for a multi-episode arc as Noah West.
August 24, 2014: "Taking the Lead" enters The New York Times Best Seller list
On August 24, 2014, Derek Hough's book Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion entered The New York Times Best Seller list.
January 13, 2015: Hough to appear in the New York Spring Spectacular
On January 13, 2015, it was announced that Hough would appear in the New York Spring Spectacular, at Radio City Music Hall. During the Dancing With The Stars cast announcement, Hough and partner Nastia Liukin were revealed as surprise contestants.
February 24, 2015: Hough Returns to Dancing with the Stars Season 20
On February 24, 2015, Derek Hough was announced as one of the returning professional dancers on season 20 of Dancing with the Stars.
September 12, 2015: Hough won his second Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography
On September 12, 2015, Derek Hough won his second Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography, alongside Julianne Hough and Tessandra Chavez. This marked Julianne Hough's and Chavez's first Emmy win for outstanding choreography.
November 24, 2015: Sixth Win on Dancing with the Stars
On November 24, 2015, Derek Hough and his partner Bindi Irwin won Dancing with the Stars, marking Derek's sixth win on the show.
2015: Mark & Derek's Excellent Flip Aired
In 2015, the process of the home renovation bought by Derek Hough along with Mark Ballas was broadcast as a four episode series on HGTV called Mark & Derek's Excellent Flip.
April 18, 2016: Guest appearance on Jane the Virgin
On April 18, 2016, Derek Hough guest starred on The CW series, Jane the Virgin.
April 27, 2016: Cast as Corny Collins in Hairspray Live!
On April 27, 2016, it was announced that Derek Hough would play Corny Collins in the NBC live broadcast of Hairspray, which aired on December 7.
August 30, 2016: Return to Dancing with the Stars Season 23
On August 30, 2016, Derek Hough returned as a professional dancer for season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. He was paired with actress Marilu Henner.
November 7, 2016: Elimination on Dancing with the Stars
On November 7, 2016, Derek Hough and his partner Marilu Henner were eliminated on Dancing with the Stars, finishing in 6th place.
2016: Appearance in "The Arena" music video
In 2016, Derek Hough appeared alongside Lindsey Stirling in the music video for The Arena which he also choreographed.
2017: Participated in American Ninja Warrior for Red Nose Day
In 2017, Derek Hough participated in the celebrity edition of American Ninja Warrior for Red Nose Day.
2017: Collaboration with Breaking Benjamin
In 2017, Derek Hough revealed in an interview with Billboard that he is going to be performing on the alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin's upcoming album Ember.
2018: Forthcoming collaboration with Breaking Benjamin
In 2018, Derek Hough was scheduled to perform on the alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin's album Ember.
September 2019: Hosted Return to Downton Abbey: A Grand Event
In September 2019, Derek Hough hosted an NBC special Return to Downton Abbey: A Grand Event.
September 8, 2020: Hough replaces Len Goodman as DWTS judge
On September 8, 2020, Derek Hough replaced Len Goodman as a judge on Dancing with the Stars for season 29 due to travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
September 2020: Signed a Deal with ABC Entertainment
In September 2020, Derek Hough signed a wide-ranging deal with ABC Entertainment.
September 2025: To host Extra
In September 2025, it was announced that Derek Hough would replace Billy Bush as the host of Extra beginning with its 32nd season.
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