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 achieved widespread recognition as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars from 2007 to 2016, securing a record-breaking six wins with his celebrity partners. His exceptional choreography earned him 14 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with four wins. Subsequently, he transitioned to a judging role on Dancing with the Stars, beginning with its 29th season, solidifying his continued presence in the entertainment industry.
2001: Cameo in Harry Potter
In 2001, Derek Hough made a cameo appearance in the movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
2002: Won IDSF World Latin U-21 Championship
In 2002, Derek Hough won the IDSF World Latin U-21 Championship, marking an early achievement in his dancing career.
2003: Won Blackpool U-21 Latin title
In 2003, Derek Hough and Aneta Piotrowska won the Blackpool U-21 Latin title, adding to Hough's list of early dancing accomplishments.
2006: Starred in Footloose: The Musical
In 2006, Derek Hough starred as Ren in the original cast production of Footloose: The Musical in London's West End and on the UK national tour.
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.
2007: Joined Dancing with the Stars
In 2007, Derek Hough joined Dancing with the Stars as a professional dancer, marking the beginning of his career on the show.
April 29, 2008: Elimination on Dancing with the Stars Season 6
On April 29, 2008, Derek Hough and his partner Shannon Elizabeth were eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, finishing in sixth place.
November 25, 2008: Won Dancing with the Stars Season 7
On November 25, 2008, Derek Hough and Brooke Burke won season seven of Dancing with the Stars, earning the mirror ball trophy.
March 2009: Debut CD Release with Ballas Hough Band
In March 2009, Derek Hough, a founding member of the Ballas Hough Band, released the band's self-titled debut CD through Hollywood Records, where he shared lead vocals, played guitar, and had songwriting credits.
May 5, 2009: Elimination on Dancing with the Stars Season 8
On May 5, 2009, Derek Hough and his partner Lil' Kim were eliminated from Dancing with the Stars, finishing in fifth place.
November 17, 2009: Elimination on Dancing with the Stars Season 9
On November 17, 2009, Derek Hough and his partner Joanna Krupa were eliminated during the semi-finals of season nine on Dancing with the Stars, finishing fourth.
January 8, 2010: Broadway Debut in Burn the Floor
On January 8, 2010, Derek Hough made his Broadway debut in Burn the Floor.
May 25, 2010: Won Dancing with the Stars Season 10
On May 25, 2010, Derek Hough and Nicole Scherzinger won season 10 of Dancing with the Stars, marking Hough's second win on the show.
November 23, 2010: Won Dancing with the Stars Season 11
On November 23, 2010, Derek Hough won season 11 of Dancing with the Stars with Jennifer Grey, marking his third win.
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.
2011: Starred in Movie Make Your Move
In 2011, Derek Hough took a break from Dancing with the Stars to star in his first movie, Make Your Move.
July 27, 2012: Announcement of Last Season
On July 27, 2012, Derek Hough announced that season 15 would be his last on Dancing with the Stars.
2012: Cameo in Rock of Ages
In 2012, Derek Hough made a cameo appearance in the movie Rock of Ages, where his sister Julianne played the female lead role.
February 22, 2013: Return Announcement for Season 16
On February 22, 2013, Derek Hough announced his return for season 16 of Dancing with the Stars.
May 21, 2013: Won Dancing with the Stars Season 16
On May 21, 2013, Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough were crowned champions of season 16 of Dancing with the Stars, marking his fourth win.
August 2, 2013: Confirmed Return for Season 17
On August 2, 2013, Derek Hough confirmed his return for season 17 of Dancing with the Stars in an interview with Access Hollywood.
September 4, 2013: Cast Announcement for Season 17
On September 4, 2013, the cast for season 17 of Dancing with the Stars was announced, including Derek Hough and his partner Amber Riley.
September 22, 2013: Emmy Awards Performance and Nomination
On September 22, 2013, Derek Hough, nominated for Dancing with the Stars, performed with other nominees and host Neil Patrick Harris at the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography.
2013: Collaboration with Ice Dancers
In 2013, Derek Hough worked with world champion ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White on a number for their 2014 Sochi winter Olympics short dance program.
March 18, 2014: Announcement of Move Live on Tour
On March 18, 2014, Derek Hough and his sister Julianne announced the "Move Live on Tour", a summer tour across the U.S. and Canada.
March 31, 2014: Premiere of Make Your Move
On March 31, 2014, Derek Hough's first movie, Make Your Move, premiered in Los Angeles.
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," which was released on MTV.
May 20, 2014: Runner-up on Dancing with the Stars Season 18
On May 20, 2014, Derek Hough and Amy Purdy were the runners-up for season 18 of Dancing with the Stars.
May 25, 2014: Start of Move Live on Tour
On May 25, 2014, Derek Hough and Julianne embarked on their sold-out "Move Live on Tour", starting in Park City, Kansas.
July 26, 2014: End of Move Live on Tour
On July 26, 2014, Derek Hough and Julianne concluded their "Move Live on Tour" in Los Angeles.
August 5, 2014: Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion Book Release
On August 5, 2014, Derek Hough's first book, Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion, was released.
August 13, 2014: Confirmed Return for Season 19
On August 13, 2014, ABC announced Derek Hough would be back for season 19 of Dancing with the Stars.
August 14, 2014: Joined Nashville Cast
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.
2014: Move Live on Tour's Success
Following the success of the "Move Live on Tour", Derek Hough and Julianne saw high demand for an encore.
2014: Davis and White win Olympic Gold
In 2014, Meryl Davis and Charlie White, whom Derek Hough collaborated with, won the gold medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics with the routine, marking the first Olympic title in the event for the United States.
January 13, 2015: Appearance in New York Spring Spectacular Announced
On January 13, 2015, it was announced that Derek Hough would appear in the New York Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.
February 24, 2015: Returning Professional Dancer on 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.
June 12, 2015: Return of Move Live on Tour
On June 12, 2015, Derek and Julianne Hough returned with "Move Live on Tour" in the summer.
August 8, 2015: End of Move Live on Tour's Return
On August 8, 2015, Derek and Julianne Hough concluded the return of "Move Live on Tour", spanning over 40 cities.
September 12, 2015: Second Emmy Award
On September 12, 2015, Derek Hough, alongside Julianne Hough and Tessandra Chavez, won his second Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography.
November 24, 2015: Won Dancing with the Stars Season 21
On November 24, 2015, Derek Hough and Bindi Irwin won season 21 of Dancing with the Stars, marking his sixth win on the show.
2015: Mark & Derek's Excellent Flip Aired
In 2015, Derek Hough and Mark Ballas's home renovation process was broadcast as a four-episode series on HGTV called Mark & Derek's Excellent Flip.
2015: Appearance in New York Spring Spectacular
In 2015, Derek Hough appeared in the New York Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
April 18, 2016: Guest Starred on Jane the Virgin
On April 18, 2016, Derek Hough guest starred on The CW series, Jane the Virgin.
April 27, 2016: Cast in Hairspray Live!
On April 27, 2016, it was announced that Derek Hough would play Corny Collins in the NBC live broadcast of Hairspray.
July 9, 2016: Move Interactive Pop-Up Event
On July 9, 2016, Derek and Julianne Hough held a free fitness pop-up event called 'Move Interactive' in Los Angeles, starting with a workout session at Pulse Fitness Studios and finishing with a dance fitness class at JustDance Los Angeles, promoting health, love, and community.
August 30, 2016: Return to Dancing with the Stars Season 23
On August 30, 2016, it was revealed that Derek Hough would return as a professional dancer for season 23 of Dancing with the Stars.
November 7, 2016: Elimination on Dancing with the Stars Season 23
On November 7, 2016, Derek Hough and Marilu Henner were eliminated on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in 6th place.
December 14, 2016: Announcement of MOVE BEYOND Live on Tour
On December 14, 2016, Derek and Julianne Hough announced a new tour, MOVE BEYOND Live on Tour, for 2017, sharing the news via social media.
2016: Appeared in and Choreographed "The Arena" Music Video
In 2016, Derek Hough appeared alongside Lindsey Stirling in the music video for The Arena, which he also choreographed.
2016: Cast in Hairspray Live!
In 2016, Derek Hough played Corny Collins in NBC's live musical TV-production of Hairspray Live!
2016: Departure from Dancing with the Stars as a professional dancer
In 2016, Derek Hough's tenure as a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars concluded after a successful run from 2007.
May 2017: Joined World of Dance as a Judge
In May 2017, Derek Hough joined NBC's dance competition series World of Dance as a judge alongside Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo.
2017: Judge on World of Dance
From 2017, Derek Hough became a judge on the NBC dance competition series World of Dance.
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: Announced Collaboration with Breaking Benjamin
In 2017, Derek Hough revealed in an interview with Billboard that he would be performing on the alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin's upcoming album Ember.
April 2018: Ember Album Released
In April 2018, Breaking Benjamin's album Ember was released, featuring Derek Hough as a guest on the song The Dark Of You.
2018: Announced Collaboration with Breaking Benjamin
In 2018, Derek Hough revealed in an interview with Billboard that he would be performing on the alternative metal band Breaking Benjamin's upcoming 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: Replaced Len Goodman as Judge
On September 8, 2020, Derek Hough replaced Len Goodman as a judge on Dancing with the Stars for season 29.
September 2020: Signed Deal with ABC Entertainment
In September 2020, Derek Hough signed a wide-ranging deal with ABC Entertainment.
2020: End of judging role on World of Dance
In 2020, Derek Hough's role as a judge on the NBC dance competition series World of Dance concluded.
September 2025: Hosting Extra
From September 2025, Derek Hough began hosting Extra, starting with its 32nd season.
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