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Derek Hough & Hayley Hough Return to Stage Where She Nearly Died One Year Later
Derek Hough's wife Hayley Erbert Hough made an inspirational comeback on the stage where she nearly lost her life.
The Dancing With the Stars troupe member has been on her husband's Dance for the Holidays Tour for more than a month and on Nov. 24, she and the series judge returned to perform at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., where she suffered a cranial hematoma during a 2023 performance that prompted her to undergo emergency skull surgery.
"Obviously, tonight, it's a very, very special night, to be back here on this stage, one year later," Derek said, standing beside Hayley and several more dancers, as seen in a video shared on the couple's Instagram pages Dec. 6. "To change the story of this room, of this stage, to something beautiful."
Hayley, 30, had been performing with Derek, 39, one of his Symphony of Dance tour shows at the same venue on Dec. 6, 2023 when she became disoriented. She was rushed to a hospital and diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel.
She underwent an emergency craniectomy, in which part of her skull was removed to ease pressure on her brain, and later had an implant installed in another operation.
At the Nov. 24 performance, Derek invited to the stage the doctor who performed the surgeries, Washington, D.C.-based Dr. Jeffrey Mai, who then walked up and shared a hug with Hayley.
"This was the man that was there at 3 in the morning that saved Hayley's life," Derek said. "He was there. He gave us comfort. He gave us love. And I just cannot be more thankful to have you here, so much. I mean, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Dr. Mai, please."
Instagram / Derek Hough / Hayley Erbert Hough
In the video's caption, Derek and Hayley reflected further on her medical emergency.
"It’s been exactly one year since Hayley almost lost her life," they wrote. "We returned to the very same stage, the same room where we once felt so much fear and uncertainty. A place where I stood frozen, terrified, praying for a miracle. But tonight, we changed the story of that room."
They continued, "We transformed it, from fear to beauty, from uncertainty to faith, and from despair to triumph. And having Dr. Mai, the man who saved her life, standing on that stage with us made it all the more powerful. We got to share a moment on stage thanking him for the gift of more time, more memories, and more love."
Hayley had made her official dance return in April, joining Derek onstage in Melbourne, Fla. as part of Symphony of Dance tour, part of which was postponed following her medical emergency. In October, she returned to Dancing with the Stars and gave an emotional performance with her husband, dancing to “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone.
"I’m so grateful to Hayley," Derek wrote in the post. "She has blown me away with her resilience, strength courage and pure elegance in how she has moved through this experience. I am in awe everyday."
The pair added, "One year later, standing on that same stage, we know this: life is fragile, love is everything, and we are stronger than ever."
Look back at Derek and Hayley's romance...
Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
October 2015: Hayley Joins Dancing With the Stars
Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert meet back in 2014 when she performed on his and sister Julianne Hough's tour. A Dancing With the Stars producer is impressed with Hayley and she is called to interview to join the show's troupe, getting the job the following year, according to the Hutchington News. Also in 2015, she and Derek begin dating.
Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for Tony Robbins
July 2016: Derek & Hayley Step Out
The two begin going out to public events, including at the 2016 premiere of the Tony Robbins Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.
Rob Latour/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
September 2016: Creative Arts Emmys Governors Ball
The duo get glammed up for a star-studded night out.
David Livingston/Getty Images
August 2017: Red Carpet Debut
The dancers make their red carpet debut as a couple at the Television Academy's 2017 Choreography Peer Group Celebration at Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, Calif.
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
September 2017: Emmys Date
Hayley joins Derek as his date for the Creative Arts Emmys, where he was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for his work on Dancing With the Stars.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Casamigos Tequila
October 2017: Happy Halloween
The two attend the star-studded Casamigos Halloween Party.
Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Caruso
November 2017: Christmas Tree Lighting
Hayley joins Derek as he hosts The Americana at Brand shopping mall's Christmas tree lighting event in Glendale, Calif.
Phillip Faraone/WireImage
May 2018: May the Force Be With You
The two attend the Hollywood premiere of Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
September 2018: Emmys After-Party Date
The couple steps out at HBO's post-Emmys celebration.
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
October 2019: They Are the Ones Who Hug
They aren't pumping the brakes as they attend the premiere of Netflix's El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.
Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
February 2020: Oscars Party Date
The two pose for pics at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's Oscar viewing party.
ABC via Getty Images
November 2020: Disney Holiday Singalong
Feeling festive, they dance on the special to ring in the Christmas season.
Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic
August 2021: Respect Premiere
The two are all smiles at the premiere in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
August 2021: Emmy Winner
The partners appear at the Creative Arts Emmys, where Derek wins Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming for his work on Dancing with the Stars.
Brian Feinzimer/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
March 2022: Oscars Party Dance
The two dance as they arrive at the 2022 Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscars viewing party.
Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
May 2022: Top Gun: Maverick Premiere
They look top tier on the red carpet.
Michael Kovac/Getty Images for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards
June 2022: Engaged
Hayley flashes her engagement ring at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
David Livingston/WireImage
June 2023: Elemental Premiere
The two get cozy at the launch of the Disney-Pixar film.
Instagram / Derek Hough
August 2023: Just Married and Honeymoon
The couple honeymoon in Italy following their Aug. 26, 2023 wedding in California.
December 2023: In Sickness and in Health
Derek was by Hayley's side as she underwent emergency skull surgery due to a burst blood vessel. "It was a time filled with uncertainty and fear, going from living our dreams onstage, to a nightmare in an instant," he wrote on Instagram over a week later. "Her recovery process has been nothing short of a miracle."
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