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Derek Hough and Wife Hayley Erbert Reveal Meaning Behind Baby Girl's Name
Derek Hough’s road to fatherhood wasn’t exactly a quickstep.
The Dancing With the Stars veteran welcomed his first baby, daughter Everley Capri Hough, with wife Hayley Erbert Dec. 29, making him a first-time dad later in life than some of his peers.
“I grew up in Utah where you get married at 19, you have kids at 20, 21,” he told E! News in an exclusive interview, “so it's crazy that I'm 40 years old and I'm just now entering into this chapter.”
But the Emmy winner wouldn’t have it any other way, noting that starting a family at this stage of his life has given him a unique perspective on being a parent.
“I've had such a full and rich life,” he continued. “I was like, ‘Wow, I've done so much in my life already, and now I get to start over.’ It’s all brand new. I get to do this whole life thing, but in a totally different way now, and it has a lot more meaning and fulfillment and excitement.”
With a new born at home, Derek’s time is more precious than ever. That’s why he’s partnered with Barilla to create and lead Barilla Protein+ Training Timers, a series of micro workouts that can be completed in the time it takes to cook Protein+ pasta.
“I often say that motion equals emotion—the way you feel, the way you move, directly affects the way you feel, not just physically, but emotionally,” he explained. “It's really important to move our bodies, so you have 8-10 minutes, cooking some food, do a little workout, I’ll work you through it. Then boom, you're finished with that, you feel fantastic, you have your meal and you just did three great things. Movement, food and convenience.”
Disney/Eric McCandless
That way, Derek can stay focused on tending to his baby girl and supporting his wife, whom he lauded for being “such a natural caregiver.”
“I tell her every day, ‘You're amazing. You were meant for this. You're such a great mom,’” he shared with E!. “I'm even more in love with her. I'm just so in awe of her. It's amazing.”
And as Everley’s personality begins to emerge, Derek is already hoping she takes after Hayley in one key department.
“I really hope she has her mother's temperament as far as this very even keel, very chill [demeanor],” he admitted. “Me, I'll be bouncing off the walls and doing back flips. So, we'll see—that might come out later.”
As Derek and Hayley settle into life with Everley, keep reading for a look back at their road to parenthood…
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."
Disney/Eric McCandless
October 2024: Road to Recovery
After being given medical clearance to get back to performing, Hayley and Derek resumed their Symphony of Dance tour in April 2024. In October, she made her triumphant return to the ballroom as she joined her husband for an emotional routine set to Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things."
Disney/Eric McCandless
July 2025: Baby on the Way
The couple announced they'd be welcoming a new addition to their family as they revealed they were expecting their first baby together. Alongside an Instagram video unveiling their unborn child's sonogram, Hayley wrote, "We can’t believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small."
December 2025: Welcoming Everley
Derek and Hayley welcomed their baby girl, Everley Capri Hough, on Dec. 29, 2025, writing in a joint Instagram post, "Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed."
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