Derek Hough Adds a New Emmy Award to His Shelf

Dancer and choreographer Derek Hough won his fourth Emmy Award this weekend at the Creative Arts Emmys. Hough took home the trophy for Outstanding Choreography for his “Higher” piece on season 31 of Dancing With the Stars.

The performance included the pro and troupe lineup from the previous year, Hough’s wife, Hayley Erbert, and Michael Bublé’s live vocals, which was the ideal finishing touch for the night’s theme, “Michael Bublé Night.”

Hough revealed that he wanted to create a low-key, speakeasy feel. Between placing a fedora on Koko Iwasaki’s lifted leg, Erbert’s “walking on walls” trick, and creative camera shots and lighting design, Hough fulfilled his mission, but he also excelled at it.

Sidenote: speaking of camera and lighting, DWTS also received the Emmys for Outstanding Technical Direction and Camerawork and Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction.

4-time Emmy winning choreographer#DerekHough pic.twitter.com/cv6oQFRgaZ

— DWTS Stats & Info (@dwtsstats) January 8, 2024

At the time, fans went into a social media frenzy campaigning for at least an Emmy nomination, and well, he won the whole category, as the fans once again predicted correctly.

EMMY WINNING DANCE CHOREOGRAPHED BY 4-TIME EMMY WINNER DEREK HOUGH BTW pic.twitter.com/3gyJl4eKIe

— sam (@berstcns) January 8, 2024

In his speech, Hough fought through tears as he dedicated the award to his wife, Erbert. She is currently recovering from a craniectomy after suffering a cranial hematoma on the D.C. stop of their “Symphony of Dance Tour.”

“Exactly a month ago, I was in the hospital. this is a different moment…A life-changing moment reminded me to really savor each and every moment,” Hough stated.

“What a stark contrast this has been…I just flew in from Washington, DC, last night…my beautiful wife. Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable…  You inspire me every day,” he ended.

Later on, Hough took to Instagram and reiterated, “To my wife, @hayley.erbert, this one’s for you. The centerpiece and muse of this dance. This journey, these moments, they are all the more precious because of what we’ve endured together. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this amazing journey.”

Hough is tied with Debbie Allen for the most wins in the Outstanding Choreography category and now holds the record for most nominations at 13.

Check out the now Emmy-winning performance of “Higher” below and stream Dancing With the Stars on Disney+.