Derek Hough Dedicates Latest Emmy Win to Wife Hayley Erbert
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Over the weekend, Derek Hough won a Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Choreography. The Dancing with the Stars judge reportedly gave a tearful acceptance speech in which he dedicated the award to his wife Hayley Erbert, who is recovering from skull surgery.
Derek Hough Dedicates Emmy to Hayley Erbert
This is Hough’s fourth Emmy win. His latest award is for choreographing a routine set to Michael Bublé’s “Higher” on Dancing with the Stars. According to Deadline, Hough became emotional as he accepted the award.
“Exactly a month ago I was in the hospital. This is a different moment,” Hough said, referring to Erbert’s recent emergency craniectomy due to a cranial hematoma. “A life-changing moment reminded me to really savor each every moment.”
Hough said he had flown in from Washington, D.C., for the ceremony. He dedicated the award to “my beautiful wife. Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable.” Hough added, “You inspire me every day.”
Hough has now earned the most Emmy nominations for choreography, with 13. He was previously tied with Debbie Allen, who has earned 12 nominations.
SEE ALSO: HAYLEY ERBERT CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS WITH HUSBAND DEREK HOUGH AFTER SURGERY
Hough Reacted to His Win on Instagram
On Monday, Hough took to Instagram to share a few photos of himself at the Emmys event, showing off his trophy. The dancer wrote that he was “incredibly humbled and grateful for this award,” telling his fellow nominees that their “work inspires me.”
Hough once again emphasized how Erbert’s health scare reminded him “how quickly life can change,” adding, “Being alive is the greatest prize we could ever win.” He also gave another dedication to Erbert.
“To my wife, @hayley.erbert this one’s for you,” Hough wrote. “The center piece and muse of this dance. This journey, these moments, they are all the more precious because of what we’ve endured together.”
Erbert recently underwent another surgery to replace the part of her skull that was removed. Hough told fans afterward that the procedure was “successfully completed as planned.”
